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Why Princess Blanche's crown was the only one to survive among all the crowns of medieval England
Why Princess Blanche's crown was the only one to survive among all the crowns of medieval England

Video: Why Princess Blanche's crown was the only one to survive among all the crowns of medieval England

Video: Why Princess Blanche's crown was the only one to survive among all the crowns of medieval England
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The famous crown and its first owner, Anna Bohemskaya
The famous crown and its first owner, Anna Bohemskaya

In 1649, when the English Republic was proclaimed, which existed for 11 years, all the jewels and regalia of the British monarchy were mercilessly destroyed - sent for melting on the orders of Oliver Cromwell. This symbolized the overthrow of the monarchy in England. And only one unique crown, a beautiful creation of Gothic jewelers, managed to avoid this sad fate. And it survived due to the fact that in 1402 it was exported from England to Bavaria.

Oliver Cromwell, 1st Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland (1653-1658)
Oliver Cromwell, 1st Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland (1653-1658)

The first owner of this beautiful crown was Anna of Bohemia, daughter of Charles IV of the Luxembourg dynasty, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia.

Princess Blanche's crown is England's oldest and only surviving medieval crown
Princess Blanche's crown is England's oldest and only surviving medieval crown

This open crown, the height of which is 18 centimeters, presumably made in 1370-1380, is a hoop on which are fixed 7 rather high vertically arranged teeth in the form of crosses, which alternate with lower teeth in the form of heraldic lilies. Made of gold, this magnificent crown is richly adorned with the most expensive precious stones from the so-called "magnificent four" - rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds, and a large amount of pearls and colored enamel were also used to decorate it.

Bohemian crown pearls and gems
Bohemian crown pearls and gems

History of the oldest English crown

Richard II. Portrait of the late 14th century
Richard II. Portrait of the late 14th century

Richard II inherited the throne in 1377 when he was only 10 years old. His mother urgently started looking for a bride. One of the first to receive an offer was from Charles IV, whose daughter, Anna, became the wife of Richard II Plantagenet in 1382. Having moved to England, Anna brought with her that very Bohemian crown.

Anna of Bohemia - Anne of Bohemia (1366-1394), the first wife of King Richard II, fig. A. Bouvier
Anna of Bohemia - Anne of Bohemia (1366-1394), the first wife of King Richard II, fig. A. Bouvier
Richard II and Anna of Bohemia (XIV century)
Richard II and Anna of Bohemia (XIV century)

Although Richard and Anna had no children, they lived happily. Unfortunately, in 1394, Anna contracted the plague and died suddenly. Richard, after a while, remarried. As a wife, he was given the young daughter of King Charles VI of France, Isabella Valois, who was only 6 years old. Richard had to wait a very long time for Isabella to grow up to fulfill her marital duties. But he did not manage to live up to this time. Yes, in fact, this marriage was concluded to maintain a fragile peace with France.

First meeting of Richard II and Isabella
First meeting of Richard II and Isabella
Isabella Valois, second wife of Richard II
Isabella Valois, second wife of Richard II

In 1399, Richard II was dethroned by Henry IV, and soon died. And since he was the last representative of the Plantagenets, with his death the reign of this entire dynasty ended. Henry IV became the ruler of England, whose daughter, Princess Blanche (Blank) of England, became the new owner of the crown of Anne of Bohemia, who has since become known by the name of the princess - the Crown of Princess Blanche. In 1402, the princess was married to Ludwig III of the Palatinate (Elector of the Palatinate) from the Wittelsbach dynasty, the oldest dynasty in Europe, and the crown, along with the bride, as her wedding crown, "moved" to Bavaria.

Blange (center) with her husband
Blange (center) with her husband

The Bavarian kings treated this masterpiece of jewelry art with great care. And since 1782, this crown, along with other jewels of the Wittelsbach family, has been kept in the Royal Residence in Munich.

Royal residence in Munich
Royal residence in Munich

Needless to say, splendor and splendor of imperial crowns do not leave anyone indifferent. And which one is more beautiful to you?

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