RUBY'S GRIM HISTORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 285, 13 September 1933, Page 8

RUBY'S GRIM HISTORY

GEM IN ROYAL CROWN. SPANISH REIGN OF TERROR, In the Royal Crown of King George there is a glowing, beautiful ruby. The story of how it came to Britain is the tragedy of a royal monarch whose rule in Spain was an era of terror; The story is that of a murder. The King was "Pedro the Cruel." He was only 1G years old when he came to the throne, but he soon began the bitterest period of Seville's history. Death walked the narrow Arab-look-ing streets. Rivals and opponents were put to the sword, people were burned to death in the public square. The blood-lust of "Pedro the Cruel" led him to have his own wife, Blanche of Bourbon, murdered. His brother turned to his hated foe and challenged him for the country's crown. Then Pedro descended on the lovely city of Granada. He killed the Red King of Granada and looted his treasures, leaving a trail of terror behind him. Among those treasures was a gorgeous ruby, which Pedro carried away with him to Seville. The tyrant did not enjoy his loot for long. Enrique, his brother, led the revolt against his tyranny, and Pedro at last had to flee from Seville. He went to the French city of Bordeaux, where Edward, the Black Prince of Britain, was in possession. Pedro sought sanctuary with the warrior and rewarded him with the gorgeous ruby stolen from the crown of Granada. His brother pursued him to Bordeaux, and there Pedro Avas himself killed.