APPENDIX C
Complete list of the Regalia in the Jewel House in A.D. 1920.
I. Crowns and Diadem—
1. King Edward the Confessor’s Crown.
2. The Imperial State Crown.
3. The Imperial Indian Crown.
4. Crown of Queen Mary of Modena.
5. Crown of Queen Mary, Consort of King George V.
6. Diadem of Queen Mary of Modena.
7. Crown of the Prince of Wales (as eldest son of the King).
II. Sceptres and Rods—
1. The King’s Royal Sceptre.
2. The King’s Sceptre with the Dove, or Rod of Equity.
3. The Queen’s Sceptre with the Cross.
4. The Queen’s Sceptre with the Ivory Dove.
5. James I’s Sceptre with the Dove.
6. St. Edward’s Staff
III. Orbs—
1. The King’s Orb.
2. The Queen’s Orb.
IV. Rings—
1. The King’s Coronation Ring.
2. The Queen’s Coronation Ring.
3. Queen Victoria’s Coronation Ring.
V. Swords—
1. The King’s Jewelled State Sword.
2. The Sword of State.
3. The Sword Spiritual.
4. The Sword Temporal.
VI. Spurs and Bracelets—
1. St. George’s Gold Spurs.
2. Gold Bracelets.
VII. Maces—
1. Charles II.
2. Do.
4. Do.
5. William and Mary.
6. Do.
7. Do.
8. George I.
VIII. Ecclesiastical Plate—
1. The Ampulla, or Golden Eagle.
2. The Anointing Spoon.
3. The Royal Baptismal Font of Charles II.
4. Alms Dish of William and Mary.
5. Chalice Do.
IX. State Trumpets and Banners—
1. Fifteen Silver State Trumpets.
2. Twenty Bannerets.
X. Royal Gold Plate—
1. Queen Elizabeth’s Salt Cellar.
2. King Charles II’s Salt Cellar (State Cellar).
3. Do.
4. Do.
5. Do.
6. Do.
7. Do.
8. Do.
9. Do.
10. Do.
11. Do.
12. Do.
13. Do.
14. King Charles II’s Wine Fountain.
15. Twelve Salt Spoons.
16. Two Tankards (George IV).
XI. Other Plate and Valuables—
1. The Maundy Dish of Charles II.
2. King James II’s Monde.
3. Model of Koh-i-Nur Diamond with original setting.
4. Model of Cullinan Diamond as found.
5. Steel hammer and chisel, used in cutting the Cullinan Diamond.
APPENDIX D
“OF THE JEWELL HOUSE”
Copy of MSS. written or dictated by Sir Gilbert Talbot, Kt., appointed Keeper of the Jewel House, A.D. 1660-61, by Charles II. The original is in the possession of Mrs. Ethel M. Lowndes, The Bury, Chesham, Bucks.
Of the Jewell
House
With the ancient
rights
belonging
to the Maister &
Treasurer
thereof.
The Maister of ye Jewell H. holdeth his place by Patent, for life under the Broad Seale of England to enjoy all the perquisites and privileges wch any of his predecessors at any time enjoyed which are as follows:
FACSIMILE OF A PAGE FROM SIR GILBERT TALBOT’S MSS., 1680
1. A Fee of 50£ per. an. out of the Exchequer.
2. A Table of 14 double dishes per diem.
3. 300£ per. an. out of ye New years guift money.
4. The carrying of Presents to Embassadours.
5. The small presents at New yeare’s Tide.
6. Anciently Treasurers of ye Chamber wch office was a branch of ye Jewell H.
7. Frequently Privy Counsaillers as Cromwell & ye two Caryes.
8. Right to buy, keep & present all his Matys Jewells (when given).
9. Choice of his under Officers.
10. Choice of the King’s and Queene’s Goldsmiths & Jewellers.
11. 20£ in gold, upon signing of the Goldsmiths Bill.
12. Lodgings in all ye King’s Houses.
13. A close waggon (when ye Court removeth) for his owne goodes; and two carts for his officers.
14. Precedence in Courts & Kingdome.
15. Priviledg of the drawing roome.
16. Robes at the Coronation.
17. In Procession place before all the Judges.
18. He putteth on, and taketh off the King’s Crowne.
19. He keepeth all the Regalia.
20. He hath lodgings etc. in ye Tower.
21. A servant there to keep ye Regalia.
22. He hath noe superior officer.
23. He fournisheth plate to Embassadrs and all the greate officers.
24. He remandeth it when Embassadrs returne; & officers remove or dye.
25. He provideth a Garter & plaine George for Knts of ye Garter.
26. The total of his Retrenchmts wch will serve to justify ye following preambe from vanity.
Note.—The above rights and perquisites were handed over by Sir H. Mildmay to Sir Gilbert Talbot in A.D. 1660.
Note.—These were the rights, privileges and emoluments of his predecessors, and Sir Gilbert Talbot goes on to relate how they had been curtailed and withdrawn.
Sr Gilbert Talbot entered into the service of K. Charles ye jst at Venice an: 1637, and served his Maty XI yeares first as Resident at 40s. p. diem till the yeare 44, then as Envoye at 5£ per diem; besides extraordinairies in both qualityes.
But by reason of the war, his Maty was not able to send him any supply in soe much that he was forced to spend of his owne, and borrow of ye English and Dutch merchants to the value of 13000£ which his then Maty promised to repay with ye interest wch hath since trebled ye principall.
But ye war still growing more obstinate and Sr G. Talbot not able to continue the expence begged leave of his Maty to returne into England to represent his condition wch was graunted him for 6 moneths; in Augst 44, he found the Kg at Bucannon and followed his Maty in the Army; till in 45 he was sent back to Venice, upon an extraordinary occasion; with leave to returne when he should think fitt, because his Maty was not yet able to maintain him abroad.
At his returne into England, in 46 his Maty was pleased (a little before he went to the Scottish Army thus to recommend him to the Prince (now Kg).)
Son here is a gentleman who hath served me faythfully many yeares; and I have never bin able, hitherto, to doe anything for him. I therefore charge you to take notice of him & to see him well rewarded if I should not live to doe it myself.
The Kg going away to the Scotts; the Prince into ye West, and Oxford surrendered Sr G. Talbot had his liberty upon those Articles. But the Pr: being forced to fly: the Kg sold into the hands of the English: and afterwards barbarously murdered; Sir G. Talbot offered to goe over to ye present King in Paris; but was commanded to stay in London to corrispond with Sr Robt Long then Secretary, and to act for his Matyes service on this side of ye water. For wch being afterwards discovered by Tom Cooke, he was made close prisoner in Glocester; and there examined by Comissrs upon 6 articles of high Treason (as they were pleased to terme them). But they having noe proofes to make good any one article agst him he had his liberty upon bayle; went over into France to his Maty and followed him in all his exile, till his restauration.
When every man (upon the prospect of his Matys recall) was putting in for employment. Sr G. T.; by the assistance of the D. of Ormond, obtained the graunt of Maister of the Jewell-house forfeited by the treason of Sr Hen: Mildmay and the reversion graunted by the Martyr King to Sr Robt Howard (brother of the old E. of Berkshire) vacated by his death.
Upon his Matys returne Sr G. Talbot sent to Sr Hen: Mildmay (at the time prisoner in Dover Castle) to lett him understand that the Kg had bestowed the Jewell-house upon him; and to know if he would peaceably surrender his Patent? he returned answere That he could not give in the patent because it lay buryed amongst many confused papers But he was ready before a Maistr of Chancery to make a formall resignation of the place which he accordingly performed
And promised moreover that if Sr G. T. would obteine from his Maty a pardon of his life he would give him half his estate. Whereunto Sr G. T. reply’d that since he had soe freely resigned his office, he would endeavour to serve him, without any other condition: but desired him to send him a note of all the perquisites belonging to the place, wch he did and they are those wch are specifyed in ye jst page and shall hereafter be enlarged upon as they lye in order.
Sr G. Talbot’s patent being passed (not wthout strong opposition from the Ld Chancellr Hyde, who had shewed himself his enemy upon other occasions; and had designed the Jewell-house for a Presbyterian friend) he took possession of his lodgings; and entered upon the execution of his office.
When the Chancellr found that he could not obstruct the patent, his next endeavour was to clip the profitts of the place, and therein his malice prevailed as will appeare when ye perquisites are treated of.
The perquisites belonging to ye Mr are as follows:
1. A Fee of 50£ per an payable half yearely out of the Exchequer: which ye Maistr used to call for but once in two yeares, that he might receive i00£ together: but when Sr George Downing became Secretary, to the Lds Commissrs of the Treasury, he (because there is a small fee due to the Secretary for drawing up the order to the Exchequer) enioned[[27]] all fees to take out separate orders for every half yeare: wch exacting invention is still kept on foote: although the fee for every order is exorbitant.
2. A Table of 14 double dishes per diem with bread beer wine etc., or 35s. per diem board wages, if not served in kind. But ye Ld Chancr who sought all occasions to preiudice the Maistr of the Jewell H. put the Kg upon retrenchmt of some of the tables: and went in person to the Greenecloth (although altogether unqualifyed as being noe Officer there) and cutt off the Maistrs table, and ye Groome-porters, for company, that it might not look like personall malice; in lieu whereof they allowed each of them i20£ p. an: board wages: and for this they pleaded noe other ground, or shadow of reason, but because it appeared in theyre books, that once when the treasury was exhausted Sr H. Mildmay proposed to the Kg the retrenchment of the tables & desired his Maty to begin with his. This the Ld Chancellrs Law, & Sr H. Woods philosophy made an argument to cutt off the dyet from the Jewell H.
And although Sr G. Talbot’s patent gave him all the rights that any of his Predecessors at any time enioyed, there was noe releife to be had in theyre Chancery.
Sr G. Talbot this theyre proceeding to his Maty, but the Chancellor yet swayed all things absolutely; and there lay noe appeale from him.
For one yeare after they allowed him his dyet, at the greate Festivalls (Christmass, Easter, and Whitsontide): but that was thought too much and retrenched likewise.
3. 300£ p. an: out of the money presented by the Nobility, to the King, at new-yeare’s-tyde; which usually amounted to 3000£. And the profitt ariss to the Maister by 12d in the £, and the advantage of the gold; for it was ever given away and payd in silver, till Mr. May came to the privy Purse, who gott it annexed to his office: by wch meanes that branch was cutt off from ye Maistr of the Jewell H. because the Kg was neither to pay poundage, nor allowance for gold, and ye Maistr had noe consideration for it, till upon the tender of severall petitions, his Maty in an. 77 gave him, by Privy Seale 400£ p. an: out of the new-yeare’s-guift money, during pleasure.
4. The Maistr of the Jewell H. received the value of 300£ p. an. (communibg annis) by carrying presents to Embassadours, till the jst D. of Buckingham (who was an enemy to Sr H. Mildmay) prevailed wth the Kg first, to make all his presents in iewells (and not in plate as had ever, till then, bin accustomed) and next to send them by the Maister of ye Ceremonyes (an office erected but in Kg James his time).
Thus Sr H. Mildmay (by his professed ignorance in iewells, had the buying of the iewells taken from the place, & usurped into the hands of the Ld Chamberlan and the presenting of them, by his provocation of the D. of Buck: transferred to the Mr of ye Ceremonyes. Nay, and the keeping of all the private Jewells, is now in the hands of the page of his Matys closet: although the Ld Chamberlaine in what he buyeth, nor the sayd page in what he keepeth, hath any check upon him to controll the account of the one, or the guardianship of ye other, whereas the account of the Jewell H. is under the inspection of the Ld Treasurer, or a body of Comissrs when the K pleaseth to appoint them.
Thus while Sr G. Talbot is Maister and Treasurer of his Matyes iewells & plate, he is made a stranger to all but ye Regalia, which alone is in his keeping.
v. The Maistr of the iewell H. hath 28 ounces of gilt plate every new year: and the small presents wch are sent to ye Kg anciently valued at 30 or 40£ together with the purses wherein the Lords present theyre gold (wch were wont to be worth 30 or 40s each. These the Ld Manchester (when Ld Chamberlaine) claimed as due to him: but Sr G. Talbot proved them to be his right: yet told his Lp that if he liked any of them he should have them, as a guift, not as a due.
The E. of St. Alban, who succeeded him, revived ye same pretence, but was opposed by the Maistr and desisted. Yet usually the Maistr gives the Ld Chamberl: 5 or 6 at the Cupboard, as he doth to other Officers & freinds yt ask.
The profitt of allowance upon the ounces (issued out by guift from his Maty) Sr G. T. gave (for his time) to his under Officers: and the carrying of presents to Residts & Agents when made in plate, chaines or medals.
vi. Anciently the Mr of ye iewell H. was Treasurer of the Chamber, till that branch was taken over, and made an office apart: and is now five times more beneficiall than the iewell house: all the regulation of expence being applyed to the remaining parts of the perquisites of the iewell house; the fees of ye treasurr of the Chamber and Mr of ye ceremonyes being left entire.
vii. The Maisters of the iewell H. have bin frequently privy Counsaillers, such was Cromwell[[28]] in ye time of H. 8. And appointed Ld Deputyes of Ireld as the two Caryes.
viii. It belonged to the Mr of ye iewell house to buy, keep, & present all ye iewells and plate that belonged to his Maty but now that right is invaded, see number 4.
ix. The Maister hath the choice of all his inferior Officers; and ye power of suspending or displacing them upon their misbehaviours.
When he first took possession of his Office, he called to one of his Yeomen for the books which were in ye keeping of old Layton, who then attended in his moneth; the peevish old man who had lived long in ye office refused to deliver them whereupon Sir G. Talbot shewed him the words of his patent; but he remained obstinate and insolent & Sr Gilbert suspended him for waiting and acquainted his Maty with it who very well approved of what he had done: but ye passionate old man for very vexation of spirit dyed. His sonne had the impudence to claime his father’s place; and upon refusall to threaten an appeale to the Kg wherewith Sr G. Talbot acquainted his Maty who sayd, if he came, he should receive an answere.
After this Sergt Painter (without any application to Sr Gilbert) went boldly to the Kg and begged the reversion: and his Maty graciously graunted it. Painter thus armed came to Sr Gilbt and demanded to be admitted. Sr Gilbert asked whence he derived his claime? he sayd: the Kg given it to him.
Sr Gilbert reply’d, he would receive ye Kgs pleasure from himself; and going to his Maty asked him, if he had appointed Painter to succeed Layton: he sayd, yes. Sr, sayd Sr Gilbt it belongeth to me, to choose my owne Officers, because ye trust of all ye Matys plate is by me committed to them. Well, sayd ye K. for this time let it pass, and I will invade ye right noe more. Sr Gilbert desired to know if his Maty would be security for all ye plate intrusted in his hands? Noe indeed will I not said the Kg and if that be requisite I recommend him not. Sr sayd Sr Gilbert this expostulation is onely to show my right; and ye danger of admitting any without security: but since yr Maty hath made choice of him, he shall stand, and accordingly he admitted him.
x. The appointment of ye Goldsmiths and Jewellers both to the Kg and Queene valued at 800£ each: (as the yeomens & Groomes places are when vacant).
When his Maty[[29]] came first into England Coronell Blage (a groome of ye bedchambr) begged the nomination of the Goldsmith & contracted wth alderman Backwell for 800£ but the alderman, when he understood yt it was the Maistrs right, quitted his bargaine & Mr Blage deserted his pretension.
xi. The Maister used to receive 20£ in gold from the goldsmith upon ye signing of his annuall bill: (and this was transmitted in the list of perquisites from Sr H. Mildmay to Sr G. Talbot; yet would he never require the same, least it might look like a bribe to ye Maistr to cast a favourable eye over the account).
xii. He hath right to lodgings for himself, officers & servants in all ye Kgs houses. Those in Whitehall were, when the K. came in, rude, dark & intermixed with the Queene’s servants.
The present dining roome was a kind of wild barne, without any covering beside rafters and tiles. The Maisters lodgings were two ill chambers, above stayres, and the passage to them dark at noone day; his dining room was below. Sir G. T. being desirous to improve his lodgings proposed to his Maty an exchange betwixt that wilde roome, and his dining-roome. The K. commanded the Ld Chamberl: to view, and report wch he accordingly did: and told his Maty that Sr Gs proposall was fayre; and much to the advantage of the Queen’s servants, whereupon leave was given him to build; and when he had finished Sr Ed Wood came & claimed his former lodging as being ye Qs servt.
Sr Gilbt told him he was ye Kgs servant, and had built by his authority: and therefore presumed he had good title to yt apartment, and that the lower roome was his, if he pleased to like it, he replyed had he would try his power; and went with a complaint agst Sr Gt to ye Kg who made him answere that if he would not of the ground roome, he should have none. The angry Kt finding the power of which he had boasted fayle him, sayd; he would then have none. The Kg took him short at his word. And Sr Willm Throgmorton ye Kt Mareschall being by, begged ye chamber, and enjoyed it for a yeare. But ye nature of his place drawing greate concourse of people thether, Sr G. thought it unsafe for ye plate, represented ye danger to his Maty who thereupon caused the Kt Mareschall to be warned out. And least the chamber might draw ill company againe he begged it for his Officers, who have enjoyed it ever since.
xiii. Vpon all removalls of ye houshold the Maister of the Jewell H. had ever a close waggon allowed him: for the transport of his servants and goods: and his officers had a waggon, and a cart for the plate.
xiv. The Mr of ye Jewell H. was ever esteemed the jst Knt Bachelour of England and took place accordingly.
He hath precedence of ye establishmt of the household, before the Maistr of ye greate Wardrobe: and before ye Judges in all publeck processions being ever next to the privy Counsaillers.
xv. They had the privilege to goe into the drawing roome to the privy chamber where none beside themselves, under the degree of Baron, were permitted to come, when ye gallery was kept private.
xvi. At the Coronation they weare scarlet robes almost like ye Barons robes, and dine at the Baron’s table in Westminster Hall.
xvii. At the opening or concluding of a session of Parliament and at the passing of bills, when the K. appeareth in his robes the Mr of the Jewell H. putteth the Crowne upon his Matyes head and taketh it off. And if he be absent or indisposed he deputeth a person of quality to doe it. And ye Maister alone hath right to kneele at the steps below the Kg’s feete (and ye black Rod at ye corner of the woolsack) although of late all ye officers of the privy chamber and Presence (& by theyre example strangrs who have noe relation to the Court) take up theyre places there, and possess it all before the Maistr (who attendeth upon ye Crowne) can come.
xviii. He keepeth all ye Regalia (& the plate that is not used by the family) in the Tower and to that end had always convenient lodging for himself officers and servants therein.
In the new lodgings given in lieu of ye old (because it was pretended yt ye chimneys might endanger the Magazin of powder which is lodged in the White Tower) there is not any appartement for the Maister upon complaint thereof made by Sr G. T. to the K. the matter was by his Maty referred to ye consideration of ye Ordinance board, how he might have his accommodation, and ye officers of the board made Order that there should be two new chambers built for him upon the left hand of the open stayres by the present Jewell house, which are of absolute necessity to his Matyes service, because in case insurrection in the nation or tumult in the city it is fitt the Maistr should have his convenience to watch over so considerable a charge.
xix. He hath a particular servant in the tower intrusted with ye greate treasure to whom (because Sir G. T. was retrenched in all the perquisites and profitts of his place as is above specified) and not able to allow him a competent salary, his Maty doth tacitely allow that he shall shew the Regalia to strangers, which furnisheth him with soe plentifull a livelyhood, that Sir G. T. upon the death of his servant there, had an offer made him of 500 old broad pieces of gold for the place.
Yet he first gave it freely to old Mr. Edwards (who had bin his father’s servant) whom Blud murdered, when he attempted to steale the crowne, globe & scepter (as shall be related at large hereafter).
After the death of the father he continued it to his sonne; and after his death he gave it to Majr Beckenham who maryed a daughter of old Edwards upon condition that he should maintaine old Mrs Edwards and ye children which he hath well performed.
xx. The Maister of the Jewell H. hath noe superiour Officer in Court over him. He receiveth noe command but from ye Kg himself wch is usually transmitted to him by warrant signed by the Ld Chamberlaine or other Secretary of State signifying the Kg’s pleasure.
And many times he received it by word of mouth from his Maty unless in case of greate importance wherein he usually desireth to have a warrant to be enterd for his iustification and indemnity.
Yet sometimes the Ld Treasurer or particular commiss appointed for that end inspect the state of the Jewell H. as they did an. 1673 and ’79.
xxi. The Maister of ye Jewell house fournisheth all the greate Officers of the household with plate; and all Embassadrs that are sent abroad they giving indentures to restore the same, when called upon by him, and upon restauration he giveth back the indentures.
xxii. It is incumbent upon ye Maistr to call upon all Embassrs for theyre plate at theyre returne home; and upon the Executors of all greate officers who dye wth plate in theyre possession: and to sue in ye Excheqr any that are indebted to ye Jewell house which debt cannot be privately compounded for by the Maistr, but must be satisfyed by award of Court: or cancelled by ye Kg’s pardon signified by privy Seale.
xxiii. If a knight of ye Garter dye the Maister must send to his heyre or executr for his Collar, George & Garter wch his Maty gave him at his installation:
and likewise to all serjeants for theyre Maces which are fournished out of the Jewell H.
xxiv. All the retrenchments of the perquisites belonging by Patent to Sr G. T. amount to 1300£ per an: which in 20 years since his Maty came into England arise to 26000£.
Besides 13000£ original debt for his xi yeares service under the last Kg at Venice. Soe that if he had his right, there would be due to him 39000£ beside 26 or 27 yeares interest for the last sume of 1300£ expended in the Venetian service.
Sr G. Talbot Maister & Treasurer of the Jewell house.
May ye 20th an: dom: 1680.