St. Edward’s Crown (1661)
Reputedly containing part of the 11th Century crown of Edward the Confessor

"Bless we beseech thee this Crown and so sanctify thy servant Elizabeth, upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty ..."

Over the last 900 years there have been two St. Edward's Crowns. The first was believed to have belonged to Edward the Confessor. The second was the crown which replaced it in 1661.

The original St. Edward's crown was kept at Westminster Abbey. Following the overthow of Charles I by Oliver Cromwell in 1649 the St. Edward's Crown was brought to the Tower of London Mint to be melted down. There is no evidence that the metal was actually used for striking coins and it is thought that it may have been used to make the crown that Cromwell is said to have ordered in 1656 and which was displayed at his funeral two years later.

On the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, directions were given that a new 'St. Edward's Crowne' coronation crown was required. It is believed that the same gold, from the Treasury supply, may have been used to make the new St. Edward's Crown in 1661. Made by Robert Vyner, it is made with 4lb 12oz of solid gold. From 1661 until the early 20th Century, the crown was set with hired stones and then returned and replaced with paste.

From 1702 until the early 19th Century the crown was not actually used for the Coronation, but was instead only carried in the procession as a symbolic object. At Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1838 it did not even leave the Tower of London.

Edward VII decided to revive the central role of the crown of his saintly namesake and St. Edward's crown was refurbished and prepared for his coronation in 1902. However, he had to abandon his plans to wear the heavy St. Edward's Crown as at the time he was recuperating after an appendicitis operation. For the coronation of King George V in 1911, Garrards carried out £375 worth of work, permanently resetting the crown with 444 precious and semi-precious stones. Ever since it has been used as the actual Coronation Crown.