THE ROMANCE OF RUBIES.

Northern Advocate, 1 September 1913, Page 6

THE ROMANCE OF RUBIES.

One if often struck with the frequent association of rubies with Royalty. It was by a ruby that Richard Coeur de Lion was recognised when travelling through Germany on his return from the Crusades in the disguise of a merchant. A hundred and eighty years later, or thereabouts, there passed into the possession of the Royal House of England the splendid ruby still worn in the crowns of her Sovereigns. It was presented by Pedro of Spain to Edward the Black Prince in recognition of the latter's brilliant victory at Najero, or Navaretta, where, writes the historian, the Prince was "always in the hottest place of action." It was this same ruby that flamed,from the diademed helmet of Henry V. at Agincourt. It was a ruby ring which Philip of Spain sent to the wretched Queen Mary when forlorn and heartbroken she lay on her deathbed, and one wonders whether perchance it reminded her of that wondrous ruby ring belonging to her ill-fated mother, Katharine of Arragon, which was traditionally reported to be luminous in the dark.