The history and poetry of finger-ringsEdwards, Charles
History
The history and poetry of finger-rings
Edwards, Charles
Rings
An engraving of the ring has been published. The article itself is in
the possession of a descendant of Howe’s. It is marked inside with
the letters A and T conjoined followed by E. The author cannot trace
or couple these letters with Charles the First; and he is otherwise
inclined to doubt the story. It is a tale to please loyal readers.
Charles was an intelligent man; and he was not likely, especially
under his then circumstances, to have given his signet-ring to a
child. There is a very pretty incident connected with his passing
to prison, where he might beautifully have left a ring with a
true-hearted lady. As he passed through Newport, on the way to
the Castle of Carisbrook, the autumn weather was most bitter. A
gentlewoman, touched by his misfortunes and his sorrows, presented
him with a damask rose, which grew in her garden at that cold season
of the year and prayed for him. The mournful monarch received the
lady’s gift, heartily thanked her and passed on to his dungeon.
It is true that Charles, when in the Isle of Wight, gave a ring from
his finger. But the receiver of it was Sir Philip Warwick. This
ring bore a figure cut in an onyx; and was handed to Sir Philip in
order to seal the letters written for the King by that knight at the
time of the treaty. This ring was left by Sir Philip to Sir Charles
Cotterell, Master of the Ceremonies, who, in his will, (16th April,
1701,) bequeathed it to Sir Stephen Fox. It came into the possession
of the latter’s descendant, the late Earl of Ilchester and was stolen
from his house in old Burlington street, London, about seventy years
ago.[286]
Just before his execution, the same monarch caused a limited number
of mourning rings to be prepared. Burke, in his Commoners of Great
Britain and Ireland, mentions the family of _Rogers in Lota_. This
family was early remarkable for its loyalty and attachment to the
crown. A ring is still preserved as an heirloom, which was presented
to its ancestor by King Charles the First during his misfortunes.
Robert Rogers of Lota received extensive grants from Charles the
Second. In the body of his will is the following: “And I also
bequeathe to Noblett Rogers the miniature portrait ring of the martyr
Charles I. given by that monarch to my ancestor previous to his
execution; and I particularly desire that it may be preserved in the
name and family.” The miniature is said to be by Vandyke.
The present possessor of this ring says that when it was shown in
Rome, it was much admired; the artists when questioned, “Whose
style?” frequently answered, “Vandyke’s.”[287] Although many doubt
whether Vandyke ever submitted to paint miniatures, yet portraits in
enamel by him are known to be in existence.
A ring, said to be one of the seven given after the King’s death,
was possessed by Horace Walpole and sold with the Strawberry Hill
collection. It has the King’s head in miniature and behind, a skull;
while between the letters C. R. is this motto:
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account