One of the most famous of all royal jewels is a red gem that has belonged to princes and kings for over 600 years. It’s got a very familiar name but part of it could be completely wrong. However, despite the mislabelling, the legendary stone retains its legendary name. And what a legend it is.
Located on the front of the Imperial State Crown is a red jewel that bears the name of a famous heir who just missed out on being king. It is the Black Prince’s Ruby.
The ruby is actually an irregular and large cabochon red spinel weighing 170 carats or, 34 grams. Like the Monarch on Coronation day, it takes centre stage as it’s located in the cross pattée above the Cullinan II diamond in the middle of the Crown. And like the Crown, the jewel itself is historic. In fact, this gem dates back to the 14th century.
In the middle of the 14th century, the jewel was in the possession of Abū Sa’īd, the Arab Muslim Prince of Granada. During the wars between the Moorish Kingdom of Granada and the Kingdom of Castile, Abū Sa’īd began to negotiate terms with King Pedro of Castile, often referred to as Pedro the Cruel. Abū Sa’īd was killed by Pedro and the spinal was taken from his corpse.
But when King Pedro’s brother, Henry of Trastámara, rebelled against him in 1366, the Castilian king made an alliance with the Black Prince, son of Edward III of England and heir to the throne. In exchange for England’s help, the Black Prince demanded the ruby. The gem is believed to have made its way to England although it disappears from historical records until 1415.
At the Battle of Agincourt in October 1415, Henry V of England wore a gem-encrusted helmet that included a ruby. During the fight, Henry was almost killed by the French Duke of Alençon but the helmet helped save his life. It’s also believed Richard III wore the gem in his helmet during the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, where he was killed and the throne claimed by Henry VII.
Fast forward to the 16th century and in 1521, Henry VIII’s inventory mentioned “a great balas ruby” set in the Tudor Crown. It’s believed this ruby is the Black Prince’s Ruby. The ruby remained there until the time of Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. With the exception of several other items including the Coronation Chair, Cromwell owned the principal symbols of the monarch’s power which includes the Crown Jewels. The jewels were broken up and sold with the gold being made into coins. What exactly happened to the Black Prince’s Ruby during the Commonwealth of England is unclear. The ruby was once again in English possession when the monarchy was restored in 1660 under Charles II.
During the coronation of Victoria in 1838, the queen was crowned with a new Imperial State Crown made for her by Rundell and Bridge with nearly 3,100 gems including the spinel at the front. In her official coronation portrait by sir George Hayter, one can see the jewel on the Imperial State Crown. The crown was remade in 1937 to be lighter. A plaquette on the reverse of the gemstone signifies the crown’s history.
King Charles III was crowned with St Edward’s Crown at Westminster Abbey and wore the Imperial State Crown as he departed the Abbey for the Coronation Procession.
The King has since worn the Imperial State Crown for two State Openings of Parliament.
So should the gem with a starring role on that Crown really be called the Black Prince’s Spinel? After several centuries, it’s probably too late, even if that version would be more technically correct.
