The Jewelled Sword (1820)
One of the world's most valuable swords

"Receive this kingly Sword, brought now from the Altar of God, and delivered to you by the hands of us the Bishops and servants of God, though unworthy. With this sword do justice, stop the growth of iniquity, protect the Holy Church of God, help and defend widows and orphans, restore the things that are gone to decay, maintain the things that are restored, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order"

Made for George IV by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell at a cost of £5,988, paid for by the King, this sword, known as the 'Sword of Offering', is by tradition the Sovereign's personal sword. Until 1902 a new Sword of Offering was provided for each Coronation. However, since 1911 George IV's sword has always been used.

At a Coronation the sword is delivered by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Sovereign, who offers it at the Altar. It is then 'redeemed' for 100 shillings by the Peer who carried the Sword of State in the procession and carried by him, unsheathed, during the remainder of the solemnity.

The sword has a steel blade finely etched in blue and gold. The hilt is of gold and the pommel set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds. The grip is decorated with diamond oak leaves and emerald acorns, and the quillions, on either side of large central emeralds, are set with spirals of diamonds, and end in diamond encrusted gold lion masks with ruby eyes. The scabbard is gold covered in leather set with precious stones and over 1,200 diamonds in the form of the national plants of England, Scotland and Ireland.

After the Coronation of Queen Victoria in 1821, this sword was kept as a private possession for almost a century - Prince Albert even wore it when he dressed as Edward III for a costumed ball in 1842! It was in 1903 that the Jewelled Sword was placed permanently in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. It weighs four pounds five ounces (including the scabbard) and measures 39 inches.