Henry the Fifth’s Cradle.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 21, 20 May 1908, Page 63

Henry the Fifth’s Cradle.

Patriarchs of all nations anti languages gathered together at (.’liristic’s the other day to watch over the fate at. auction of the crude of Henry \ . Not since John Bunyan’s an\il was dumped upon the sale-room floor lias such a speciously heavy relic been seen as this “wooden oblong chest, swinging by links of iron between two posts, surmounted by two birds for ornament.” to use the description of old Fosbroke. With its oaken sides deeply carved with horizontal lluting it looked like an old smithy bidlows at rest, anil only a lion hearted babe could have found any comfort in it. There was none of the cosy “rocker’’ about this Monmouth relic, none of the reposeful air.of the Mar cot in the possession of the Erskine family, in which the Countess of Mar rocked .l imes I. and VI. It presaged the hardships of Agii - court. Originally at Court field, near Monmouth, where the infant prince was in the care for a time of Lady Monta cute, granddaughter of Edward 1., the cradle’s pedigree has been t raced through the centuries to Bedland Hall, near Bristl'd, where the relic was sold in 1533 to George W’eare Braikenriilgo. When the cradle was gently carried in. somt body said “Hush I” and the fierce dealers tried to soften their wickedunele appearance. Softly one whispered “One hundred guineas’’' and in inullled advances the bidding grew. Mr Amor. Mr Stoner, and Mr Harris murmured increases, but it was obvious that each was intimidated by the grimly paternal figure of the Keeper of the King’s Armoury in the arena behind the rostrum. Like a doughty, champion, Mr Guy Laking withstood all comers, and at 230gns. he took the cradle into his keeping. There it must be left for the present. Hone, the chronicler, states that George IV. and his brothers and sisters, “all the Royal family of George 111., were rocked.” Also, that the “rocker” was a female servant of the Household, with a, salary. And it must be accounted to the credit of Warren Hastings that he did not forget to send to Queen Charlotte a cradle from India richly jewelled with precious stones.