The Crown Jewels of England

This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design. This richly illustrated historical study presents the Crown Jewels of England as far more than splendid ornaments: they are living emblems of sovereignty, continuity, and imperial power. Written by Major-General Sir George Younghusband and Cyril Davenport in the reign of George V, it combines careful scholarship with ceremonial detail to show how the regalia, plate, vestments, and coronation chair embody the history of the British monarchy. The coronation itself is treated as a sacred drama, in which anointing, vesting, crowning, and the presentation of sceptres unite priestly and royal authority. Moving from ritual to history, the book traces the regalia from medieval times, when crowns might travel with kings to battle, to their safer custody in the Tower of London. It recounts losses, sales, and destruction under Charles I and the Commonwealth, then the restoration of the old forms under Charles II. Detailed chapters examine crowns, orbs, swords, spurs, the ampulla, and the ancient anointing spoon, alongside illustrated coronations from Charles II to James II and the enduring splendour of English ceremonial.