Crowns-of 900 Years

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 66, 19 March 1936, Page 4

Crowns-of 900 Years

CORONATION - CEREMONIES HOW STYLES HAVE CHANGED LONDON, Feb. 15. Tlie frameworks of three crowns which had been worn by Kings and Quoens of England were shown at a lecture before the Society of Antiquaries in London recently. One crown had been used at the Coronation of Charles 11., ono was George IV. ’s Imperial crown and the third was a small crown worn by Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV. Mr. Martin Holmes was explaining the history, and development of the crowns of England from Norman times to the presont day, and these frames, the property of Lord AmberSt of Hackney, were used in illustration of his romarks. The first four Norman Kings, said Mr. Holmes, were crowned with a very heavy crown, with silver rings, with which to hold it up. It was the Earl Marshal’s duty at the Coronation to do this. In 1215-1216 the crown was set ‘‘with precious stones with one cross and seven flowers.’ ’ At this timo a cross was not usual on tho rim of a crown. Turning to more modern crowns Mr. Holmes'said that Henry IV. was crowned with an arched crown, such as is shown on his effigy at Canterbury, and to a cortain extent Tosombles tho crowns of the present time. Tho first timo a crown was used for a Queen Consort at a Coronation was at the Coronation of James 11. and Mary of Modena. In tho timo of William and Mary all tho crowns wore dismantled, except tho Stato crown, which Colonol Blood had attempted to steal front tho Tower of London in Charles II ’s reign. King William woro his crown in Parliament some six weeks before his Coronation.

Queen Anno had the Stato crown of Mary of Modena taken to pioces and a lighter frame fitted. This crown is preserved in the Tower. Goorgo H. had a new crown made for Queen Carolino. A new Imperial crown was made for George IV., and was also used by William TV. only a few years later. Another new Imperial Stato Crown was made for Queen Victoria. It was this crown that rosted ’on the coffin during the funeral processions of King George V.