Authorised Guide to the Tower of London — John Shaqi
Authorised Guide to the Tower of LondonLoftie, W. J. (William John)
History
Authorised Guide to the Tower of London
Loftie, W. J. (William John)
Tower of London (London, England) -- Guidebooks
Its lower storey is the oldest building next to the Keep; it was, with
the Lanthorn (rebuilt on the old foundation in 1884-5) and Cold Harbour
Towers, part of the original Norman plan. The upper storey was rebuilt
by Henry III, who made it the entrance to his palace on the east. The
Great Hall, memorable as the scene of Anne Boleyn's trial, adjoined it,
but was pulled down during the Commonwealth. In 1360 the records of the
kingdom, which had previously been kept in the White Tower, were removed
here, and this is called in ancient surveys sometimes the Record, and
sometimes the Hall Tower. The present name is said to be derived from
the imprisonment of Yorkists after the Lancastrian victory at Wakefield
in 1460. It is used now for the safe keeping and exhibition of
_The Crown Jewels_.
The visitor who has obtained a ticket passes up a short stair and finds
himself in a well-lighted circular apartment in the Wakefield Tower.
The deep window recess opposite the door was fitted up as a small chapel,
with Aumbry, Piscina, and Sedilia. Tradition says that Henry VI used it
for his devotions when a prisoner in the Tower, and was here murdered.
In the centre, in a large double case, are arranged the splendid objects
which form the English Regalia. The following are the most remarkable:--
The King's Crown. It occupies the highest place in the case. It was
constructed in 1838 for her late Majesty's coronation, the principal
jewels being taken from older crowns and the royal collection. Among
them, observe the large ruby given to the Black Prince in Spain in 1367.
Henry V wore it in his helmet at Agincourt. With seventy-five large
brilliants it forms a Maltese cross on the front of the diadem.
Immediately below it is a splendid sapphire, purchased by George IV.
Seven other sapphires and eight emeralds, all of large size, with many
hundred diamonds, decorate the band and arches, and the cross on the
summit is formed of a rose cut sapphire and four very fine brilliants.
The whole contains 2818 diamonds, 297 pearls, and many other jewels, and
weighs thirty-nine ounces and five pennyweights. The Crown was enlarged
for His Majesty Edward VII.
The Crown made for the coronation of Mary of Modena, the second wife of
James II. This is probably one of the oldest of the crowns, and contains
some fine jewels.
The Crown made for Queen Mary II, for her coronation with William III.
St. Edward's Crown, which appears to be the model by which all the later
crowns have been fashioned. It was made for the coronation of Charles
II.
The Prince of Wales's coronet, with a single arch.
The Orb, of gold, with a cross and bands of jewels.
St. Edward's Staff, a sceptre of gold, 4 feet 7 inches in length,
surmounted by an orb which is supposed to contain a fragment of the true
cross.
The Royal Sceptre.
The Sceptre of Equity, surmounted by a dove.
Small sceptres, one of ivory.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account