History of the Crown Jewels
The British Crown Jewels are a collection steeped in over a millennium of history. For centuries, these symbols of monarchy were primarily seen during grand coronations and significant state ceremonies.
The Tower itself has played a crucial role in safeguarding these treasures. Following the English Civil War, when the original regalia was largely melted down and sold, the newly fashioned Crown Jewels, including St Edward's Crown (commissioned for Charles II's coronation in 1661) and the Sovereign's Orb, were placed within the Tower's walls for safekeeping. This was proved necessary, as demonstrated by the theft attempt by Colonel Thomas Blood in 1671 who nearly succeeded in stealing the jewels.
Over the centuries, the jewels were moved to various strongholds within the Tower. It wasn't until the 1990s that the Jewel House, as seen today, was opened to the public. Now, visitors can see the ancient 12th-century Coronation Spoon, the Cullinan diamonds incorporated into various pieces, and Queen Mary's Crown (used by Queen Camilla during her coronation).
Attempted theft of the Crown Jewels
In May 1671, Colonel Thomas Blood disguised himself as a clergyman and, with accomplices, attempted to steal the jewels displayed then in the Martin Tower. They overpowered the 77-year-old Keeper of the Jewels, Talbot Edwards. However, their plan was foiled when Edwards' son unexpectedly returned, and guards swiftly apprehended Blood and his remaining accomplices. King Charles II himself interrogated Blood and, surprisingly, pardoned him.
The Koh-i-Noor
The Koh-i-Noor, meaning "Mountain of Light" in Persian, is one of the world's most controversial diamonds. Believed to have originated in the Kollur Mine in India, it passed through the hands of various rulers and dynasties including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal emperors, reportedly adorning Shah Jahan's Peacock Throne. In 1739, the Persian ruler Nadir Shah invaded Delhi and acquired the diamond, giving it its current name.
Following Nadir Shah's assassination, the Koh-i-Noor changed hands among Afghan rulers before reaching Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century. After the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, the East India Company annexed Punjab, and the Koh-i-Noor was ceded to Queen Victoria. Since then, it has been part of the British Crown Jewels, set in the crowns of various queens. Ownership of the Koh-i-Noor remains a subject of historical and diplomatic dispute, with India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan all having laid claim to the diamond.