XII. The ampulla or eagle of gold, finely engraved, which holds the holy oil the Kings and Queens of England are anointed with; and the golden spoon that the Bishop pours the oil into. These are two pieces of great antiquity. The golden eagle, including the pedestal, is about nine inches high, and the wings expand about seven inches. The whole weighs about ten ounces. The head of the eagle screws off about the middle of the neck, which is made hollow, for holding the holy oil; and when the King is anointed by the Bishop, the oil is poured into the spoon out of the bird’s bill.
The following legend is told of this eagle. Thomas Becket being in disgrace at Sens in France, the holy Virgin appeared to him, and gave him a stone vessel of oil inclosed in a golden eagle, and bid him give it to William a monk, to carry to Pictavia, and there hide it under a great stone, in St. Gregory’s church, where it should be found for the use of pious and prosperous Kings: accordingly Henry III. when Duke of Lancaster, received it from a holy man in France; and Richard II. finding it among other jewels, endeavoured to be anointed with it; but was supplanted by Archibald Arundel, who afterwards anointed Henry IV. Such is the fabulous history of the ampulla.
XIII. A rich salt-seller of state, in form like the square white tower, and so exquisitely wrought that the workmanship of modern times is in no degree equal to it. It is of gold, and used only on the King’s table at the coronation.
XIV. A noble silver font, double gilt, and elegantly wrought, in which the royal family are christened.
XV. A large silver fountain, presented to King Charles II. by the town of Plymouth, very curiously wrought; but much inferior in beauty to the above.
Besides these, which are commonly shewn, there are in the jewel office all the crown jewels worn by the Prince and Princesses at coronations, and a vast variety of curious old plate.
This office is governed by a Master, who has 450l. a year patent fees; two yeomen, who have 106l. 15s. per annum each; a groom, who has 105l. 8s. 4d. a year, and a clerk.
Jewin street, Aldersgate street.†
Jews Harp court, Angel alley, Bishopsgate street.*
Jews row, Chelsea.