State Crown of Mary of Modena

Mary of Modena's Crown

State Crown of Mary of Modena was a piece of regalia made for Mary of Modena, the queen consort of James II of England, for her coronation in 1685. The crown was a symbol of the monarch's authority and a key element of the British Crown Jewels. Unlike the crowns of the reigning monarchs, which were typically made of solid gold and adorned with precious stones, the crowns for consorts often had a different design and were sometimes made from less expensive materials.

History

The State Crown of Mary of Modena was created specifically for her coronation, reflecting the tradition of crafting new crowns for queens consort. The practice of making new regalia for each queen consort was common until the 18th century, when it became customary to reuse crowns due to the increasing costs of materials and craftsmanship.

Mary of Modena was an Italian princess from the duchy of Modena, who married James, Duke of York, the future James II of England, in 1673. Her marriage into the British royal family brought her into a significant political and religious conflict of the time, as she was a Catholic queen in a predominantly Protestant country.

Design

The exact design of the State Crown of Mary of Modena is not fully documented, as many historical records of the British Crown Jewels were lost or incomplete. However, it is known that the crown was likely fashioned in the traditional style of English consort crowns of the period, featuring a gold frame set with precious stones and adorned with crosses patée and fleurs-de-lis, symbols commonly found in British royal regalia. The crown would have also featured a cap of estate, made of velvet, and a ermine border, signifying sovereignty and royal authority.

Fate

The State Crown of Mary of Modena, like many pieces of regalia from this period, did not survive to the present day. It was likely dismantled or altered for subsequent use in later coronations. The practice of reusing and altering crowns became more common as the costs associated with creating new pieces rose. Today, the tradition of creating new crowns for consorts has been abandoned, and existing pieces are modified for use in contemporary ceremonies.

Legacy

The State Crown of Mary of Modena represents a fascinating aspect of the history of the British Crown Jewels. While the original crown no longer exists, its creation for Mary of Modena's coronation is a testament to the tradition and pageantry of British royal ceremonies. The crown's design and manufacture reflect the artistic and cultural influences of the late 17th century, as well as the political and religious complexities of Mary's role as a Catholic queen consort in a Protestant country.

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