Tales of the Imperial State Crown Quiz

Answer: Closed Crown

An open or great crown, one without the arches, was used by monarchs in England until the time of Henry V. When the arches were added, the open crown became a closed or imperial crown. The arches are a symbol of sovereignty; by the time of Henry V the king was "rex in regno suo est imperator", or an "emperor within his own domains", who owed obedience to no one but God.

The term "Imperial State Crown", therefore, dates back to the 15th century (though it may not have been widely used at the time).

A diadem is considered to be an ornamental headband, and the pschent crown is the crown of the pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Answer: George VI

Actually, during a coronation service, a copy of the the original St. Edward's Crown that dates back to the Restoration is used; unfortunately, the original crown was ordered to be destroyed by Oliver Cromwell after the English Civil War. Before then, the original St. Edward's Crown was used for the coronation of many monarchs including William I, Henry II, and Richard I. One legend states that it was made with metal from Alfred the Great's crown.

Although St. Edward's Crown is considered to be the official crown, only a handful of monarchs have used it as such.

When used at the coronation, it is exchanged for the Imperial State Crown at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Answer: Edward the Confessor

St. Edward's Sapphire was first documented in 1042, when it was used in a coronation ring for the king. There is a legend that King Edward was very generous to the poor. One day, when approached by a beggar, the king found his pockets empty. He gave his sapphire ring to the beggar. Later the ring was returned by two pilgrims who said they had met St. John the Evangelist, who wanted them to return the ring he had received from the king. Luckily, the stone survived the English Civil War, and was eventually recut by Charles II. Today it is seen in the center of the finial cross of the Imperial State Crown.

Answer: Black Prince's Ruby

Approximately the size of a chicken egg, the Black Prince's Ruby is really a spinel. Many times rubies and spinels are found together in igneous rocks; in fact, in the past any red colored gemstone was called a ruby. However, a ruby is harder and more dense than a spinel. Nevertheless, the Black Prince's Ruby is considered to be one of the oldest of the Crown Jewels.

In 1367 the 170 carat stone was given to Edward of Woodstock by Don Pedro of Seville. Henry V wore it on his war helmet, and it is said that Richard III was wearing the jewel in his helmet at the Battle of Bosworth Field where he died. During the reign of Oliver Cromwell the stone was sold to a jeweler, who subsequently sold it back to Charles II during the Restoration.

Answer: Second Star of Africa

The Cullinan Diamond, the largest ever found, was mined at Premier No. 2 Mine near Pretoria, South Africa in 1905. Named after the owner of the mine, it weighed in at 1.73 pounds. Apparently there was quite a discussion about what to do with the stone. Eventually, so it is said, that Winston Church persuaded Edward VII to accept it as "a token of the loyalty and attachment of the people of Transvaal to his throne and person".

The diamond was cut into nine large gemstones and several smaller fragments; Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa, was the largest piece of the original diamond.

At 530.2 carats, it was placed in the head of the Sceptre with the Cross. The Second Star of Africa, set in the Great Imperial Crown, is 317.4 carats. Together the two stones also can form a brooch.

Answer: Victoria

Queen Victoria's jewelers, Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, used many of the same historic gemstones that can be seen on the Imperial State Crown today, and it is very closely based on the one made for the coronation of Queen Victoria. The Stuart Sapphire, rather than the Cullinan II diamond, adorned the front of the crown, and it was fitted with a red velvet cap rather than the purple one used today. Currently the Stuart Sapphire, believed to date back to the coronation of King Alexander II of Scotland in 1214, is set on the back of the Imperial State Crown.

Answer: It was lowered an inch.

In addition to the historic stones on the Imperial State Crown, there are "over 3000 gems" on the crown according to "The Official Website of the British Monarchy". The crown weighs 0.91 kg, which is approximately two pounds. While one source says that it was remodeled for Elizabeth II to make it appear more feminine, another says that it was altered because she had a smaller head! Some say the Queen will practice wearing the crown before wearing it in public to get used to the weight and feel of it.

It is rather dainty compared to the Tudor Crown, destroyed after the execution of Charles I, which is said to have weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces.

Answer: State Opening of Parliament

According to "From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault", the Imperial State Crown has only been used at the coronation of Elizabeth II, and once a year at the State Opening of Parliament! When the crown needs to be repaired, it is restored by the Crown Jeweller. In 2007, G. Collins and Sons replaced Garrard & Co in that capacity.

Answer: False

Traditionally that is not the case! The crown, as well as any other royal jewels worn, are taken to the Robing Room within the Palace of Westminster in their own vehicle before the queen leaves Buckingham Palace. In the Robing Room, the queen puts on her robe, crown, and other jewels before appearing before Parliament.

Answer: Tower of London

Before the English Civil War, the Imperial State Crown was the crown the monarch wore at the end of the coronation because the coronation crown, St. Edward's Crown, was considered to be a holy relic, and was always kept at Westminster Abbey. Monarchs had to wear a different crown as they left the building. Today it is part of the collection known as the Crown Jewels, and it can be seen at the Jewel House in the Tower of London.