Crown of Mary of Modena

The Crown of Mary of Modena was the consort crown of Mary of Modena, queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland, wife of James VII & II.

Traditionally, where a monarch is married, his queen consort is crowned with him at his coronation. Under Oliver Cromwell's rule, all of the ancient English crown jewels had been destroyed. When Charles II was crowned in 1661 he was not married, so there was no need to create a new consort crown. When however his younger brother, the Duke of York became James II & VII, it was necessary to make a new crown for his queen, Mary of Modena.

In fact, three items of royal headgear were created; a

Mary of Modena's coronation crown no longer exists. However her state crown and diadem still are held in the Tower of London.

Mary of Modena's state crown, which was manufacted in 1685 by goldsmith Richard de Beauvoir, was, as was the norm, decorated with hired jewels: 38 very large diamonds, 523 great and small diamonds and 129 large pearls. The circlet of gold, set with pearls at both edges, is decorated with 20 large diamonds. 4 crosses and 4 fleurs-de-lis, all made of diamonds, alternate above the upper row of pearls. It contains four half arches above the crosses: one row of pearls on each arch is framed on both sides by two rows of diamonds. A globe sits at the centre, on which sits a cross made of 5 diamonds and 3 pearls.

Though not the coronation crown of its original wearer, it was used for the coronation of all subsequent queens consort until 1831, and was worn on occasion by queens regnant Mary II and Anne, Mary of Modena's stepdaughters.

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