The word halberd is cognate with the German word Hellebarde, deriving from Middle High German halm (handle) and barte (battleaxe) joined to form helmbarte. The halberd was usually 1.5 to 1.8 metres (4.9 to 5.9 ft) long. It can have a hook or thorn on the back side of the axe blade for grappling mounted combatants. The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft. On display will be a series of objects from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, including an exquisite court suit worn at the Coronation of George IV and a herald’s tabard which would have been worn during royal processions.Halberdiers from a modern-day reenactor troupeĪ halberd (also called halbard, halbert or Swiss voulge) is a two-handed polearm that came to prominent use from the 13th to 16th centuries. The display will present Coronation Processions throughout history, celebrating the contributions of the many people who take part in these unique events. © Historic Royal Palaces THE CORONATION PROCESSIONĪt the heart of the display will be a room dedicated to the spectacle, pageantry and community of the Coronation Procession. Image: A display exploring the history of the Koh-i-Noor in the Jewel House exhibition. It was split into nine major stones and 96 smaller brilliants, with the largest two stones featuring in the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross and the Imperial State Crown. Discovered in South Africa in 1905, the diamond is the largest gem-quality uncut diamond ever found at 3106 carats. See the hammer and knife used to make the first cuts to the famous Cullinan diamond, on display in the Jewel House for the first time. THE HISTORY OF THE KOH-I-NOOR AND THE CULLINAN DIAMONDĮxplore the history of the Koh-i-Noor, which is set within the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, including the stone’s story as a symbol of conquest, with many previous owners, including Mughal Emperors, Shahs of Iran, Emirs of Afghanistan, and Sikh Maharajas. The Coronation Regalia we see today was recreated for the Coronation of King Charles II: only the Coronation Spoon survives as a relic of the earlier medieval collection.Ī Commonwealth coin from the era on loan from the British Museum is now on display, demonstrating how the melted gold once worn by medieval monarchs was re-used in the inter-regnum.

They signify the royal authority to lead and protect the nation. The Crown Jewels were destroyed at the Tower after the Civil War and remade for Charles II’s coronation in 1661. Learn more about the origins of the current Crown Jewels, starting with the destruction of the medieval Coronation Regalia in 1649, during the English Civil War. Your experience of the Jewel House will begin with a celebration of the timelessness of monarchy, displaying the State Crown frames worn by past monarchs George I, George IV, and Queen Victoria and explaining how many of the most historic jewels – including the famous ‘Black Prince’s Ruby’ - have passed from crown to crown. Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023ĭiscover the history and significance of the Crown Jewels in displays introduced in May 2023, just weeks after the world witnessed the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.

The display evokes the spectacle and pageantry of the Coronation procession, before detailing the specific uses of the regalia during the ceremony itself, from the Coronation Spoon to St Edward’s Crown. A NEW ERA BEGINS DISCOVER THE ORIGINS AND DAZZLING HISTORY OF THE CROWN JEWELSĪs you approach the Treasury, the rooms where most of the Crown Jewels are kept, explore the origins of these spectacular objects including the destruction of the original jewels under Oliver Cromwell. Make sure to look out for the 'in use' signs. These gems are a unique working collection of royal regalia and are still regularly used by the monarch for important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament. You'll find the Crown Jewels under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. Now, discover more stories about the Crown Jewels than ever before in an exhibition exploring their history and significance. This magnificent world-famous collection of 23,578 gemstones is part of the Royal Collection and boasts items that are still used in royal ceremonies today. The Crown Jewels have been stored and displayed at the Tower of London since 1661, continuing a long tradition of storing precious objects here.

Medieval sword pictures