------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER X THE ROMANCE OF THE GREAT GEMS The Black Prince’s ruby—Its great size and value—Came to the British in 1367—Henry V wears the ruby at the battle of Agincourt—Its narrow escape—On Bosworth Field—Henry VII—The ruby is sold for £4 after Charles I was beheaded—In the State Crown of Charles II—Stolen by Colonel Blood and found in Parrett’s pocket—Now in King George’s State Crown—The Koh-i-Nur—Its bloody history—Nadir Shah obtains it by strategy—He is murdered—Passes to the Afghan throne—Shah Suja brings it to Lahore—Captured by the British—Presented by the Army to Queen Victoria—Now in the diamond crown of Queen Mary—The sapphire of Edward the Confessor—Said to have magic qualities—The Stuart sapphire—Bequeathed to George III by Cardinal York—Now in the band of the King’s State Crown—The Stars of Africa—The largest diamond in the world—Presented to Edward VII by the Union of South Africa—Cut into four great portions—Value of the stars—Some historic diamonds—Pearls of Queen Elizabeth—Their history—Now on the King’s State Crown—The perils of the Jewels in the Great War—Four narrow escapes. THE history of England might be written round the gems that adorn, and in many cases, grace the regal emblems. Of the greater precious stones there are connected and authentic traditions which carry them back to Edward the Confessor, or to the Black Prince, or to Queen Elizabeth; but besides these are many thousands of smaller stones set in the crowns, some of which, as is testified by their cutting, are of untold antiquity. These have probably been set and reset in the crowns of the Kings of England for centuries, but being of no remarkable size or shape are not recognisable in the presentments of ancient crowns. Even in this year of grace it is found impossible to pictorially portray a diamond so as to give even moderate justice to the original. Leaving, therefore, the smaller stones to their silent testimony, it is possible to give the romantic stories of the greater gems. Of these the one which claims perhaps to the British Empire the greatest interest is the great ruby, which is indeed as large as a small hen’s egg, and is given the place of honour in front of the King’s State Crown. This is the celebrated and historic jewel which first in its English history belonged to the Black Prince, the eldest son of Edward III. [Illustration: THE BLACK PRINCE WITH THE FAMOUS RUBY IN HIS CORONET]