The Crown Jewels

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<i>The Crown Jewels</i> tells the story of the most spectacular and complete collection of royal regalia in the world, held in the Tower of London and used at every coronation since 1661

The Crown Jewels tells the story of the most spectacular and complete collection of royal regalia in the world, held in the Tower of London and used at every coronation since 1661. Their history is that of the English monarchy itself, from dramatic events such as the execution of Charles I in 1649, which led to the sale and melting down of almost every piece of the medieval regalia, to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, which brought pageantry to austerity Britain and was the first such ceremony most people were able to watch on television in their own homes.

This book, written by an acknowledged authority on English courty history, provides a highly readable introduction to the story of the Crown Jewels, from the beginnings of the collection in the medieval period - of which the 12th-century Coronation Spoon is a remarkable survivor - to the present day. Since the remaking of the principal items of the regalia for Charles II in 1660-61, the collection has evolved and now incorporates gems such as Cullinan I and II, cut from the largest diamond ever found, and the legendary Koh-i-nur diamond, given to Queen Victoria and set in the platinum crown created for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1937.

Published in association with the Royal Collection and Historic Royal Palaces, the book features specially commissioned new photography, including many detail shots, allowing individual pieces, the famous gems and carefully selected groups of objects to be viewed as never before. Unlike most of their European counterparts, these magnificent objects are still used in royal ceremony today, hundreds of years after many of them were originally created.
Extent: 204 pp
Format: Hardback
Illustrations: 296
Publication date: 2011-10-10
Size: 32.0 x 27.0 cm
ISBN: 9780500515754
1. Origins • 2. Christianity and Kingship • 3. The Age of Magnificence • 4. Meltdown • 5. Monarchy Remade • 6. The Splendour of the Table • 7. Crowns for Queens • 8. Fathers and Sons • 9. Economy and Empire • 10. The New Ceremonialism • 11. The Modern Age • The Crown Jewels in the Tower of London: A Complete Inventory

Press Reviews

An informative delight, but the clincher is almost 300 eye-smacking photographs of the world’s most complete collection of royal regalia
Daily Express

Important … For anyone with an interest in the jeweler’s craft, historic gemstones, the British monarchy and British history, 'The Crown Jewels' will be a delight
Period Homes & Interiors

This sumptuous, 200-page book gets almost as close as the Crown Jeweller - the only human (apart from the Queen) entitled to touch the jewels
The Scottish Daily Mail


About the Author

Anna Keay is Curatorial Director of English Heritage, and was formerly Assistant Curator of Historic Royal Palaces. She has provided historical commentary for broadcasts on royal events such as HM The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the State Opening of Parliament.

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