RELICS OF CHARLES II.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 248, 2 August 1932, Page 8

RELICS OF CHARLES 11.

RESTORATION TO JERSEY. "MERRY MONARCH" IN EXILE. Thanks to the generosity of Mrs Hamilton-Browne, a member of the Societo Jersiaise, a number of objects reminiscent of the visits of Charles 11., the "Merry Monarch," to .Jersey in 1646 and 1649, which were in danger of being totally lost have been recovered and restored to the museum in Jersey. Charles 11., first as Prince of Wales visited Jersey in 1646, when he was secretly housed at Elizabeth Castle for a time when, on his way to France. Three years later he returned to the Castle, this time as the guest of the Hamptonne family, and also as King, having been proclaimed as such by George Carteret. It was at Elizabeth Castle—on October 29 that he signed the declaration of his claim to the throne.

A number of relics of those visits remained in the Island, and were shown at the recent Charles 11. Loan Exhibition in London. The Queen, on her visit to the exhibition, was greatly interested in them. A few of the .relies found their way to Christie's sale rooms, but this fact became known to Mrs Hamilton-Browne a few days before the sale.

As a member of the Societe Jersiaise, the interest of Mrs Hamilton-Browne was at once aroused, and she volunteered to act on behalf of the Societe at the sale. A certain sum was placed at her disposal, but the bidding exceeded this amount in regard to some of the items. Mrs Hamilton-Browne, however, decided that this should not prevent the relics being restored to their rightful place, and decided, if necessary, to bear the cost of the difference herself. She was successful in securing the lots,' and they have been duly presented to the Museum at Jersey for permanent exhibition there. The lots, which were entered in the sale catalogue as "the property of A. W. J. Syvret, Esq.., of Jersey, and have descended to him from the last surviving member of the Hamptonne family, a Miss Hamptonne, who married into his family," were:—

Jewel box of green velvet bordered with silver, and with panel at one side concealing secret drawer; and a purse of green velvet with silver edging and tassels—sold for three guineas. Pair of cream silk stockings, slashed with crimson, and embroidered with an Italian design—four guineas. Pair of shoes and pattens, of silver brocade embroidered with yellow floral design—l 4 guineas. Portion of a waistcoat, ot sky-blue silk brocade, with braided buttons—six guineas. These numbers wero traditionally handed down by the Hamptonne family:

Baldric or shoulder-belt, of black doe skin embroidered and trimmed with silk, with sword - carrier. Traditionally said to have belonged to Charles 11, and given by him in 1649 as a present to Laurens Hamptonne, Viscount of Jersey. Curtain, in yellow brocade of iioral pattern and crimson border—ll guineas.