Bohemian crown jewels: Difference between revisions

The '''Bohemian crown jewels''', also called the '''Czech crown jewels''' ({{lang-cs|české korunovační klenoty}}), include the [[Crown of Saint Wenceslas]] (''Svatováclavská koruna''), the [[royal orb]] and [[sceptre]], the coronation vestments of the [[List of rulers of Bohemia|Kings of Bohemia]], the [[Coronation Cross of Bohemia|gold reliquary cross]], and [[Sword of Saint Wenceslas|St. Wenceslas' sword]]. They were originally held in [[Prague]] and [[Karlštejn Castle]], designed in the 14th century by [[Matthias of Arras]]. Since 1791 they have been stored in [[St. Vitus Cathedral]] at [[Prague Castle]]. Reproductions of the jewels are permanently exhibited in the historical exposition at the former royal palace in the castle. The crown was made for the coronation of [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV]] in 1347, making it the fourth oldest in Europe.<ref>Andrew Lawrence Roberts, [https://books.google.com/books?id=BWg8CdosOpMC&pg=PA83&dq=czech+crown+jewels&hl=cs&ei=QfyPTMe2DMqNjAeohfSADQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFAQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=czech%20crown%20jewels&f=false ''From Good King Wenceslas to the Good Soldier Švejk: a dictionary of Czech Popular Culture''], pg. 83, Central European University Press (2005), {{ISBN|963-7326-26-X}}</ref><ref>Brett Atkinson Lonely Planet Prague Encounter 2010 Page 50 "CURSE OF THE CZECH CROWN JEWELS In St Vitus Cathedral, on the southern side of .."</ref>▼

The crown has an unusual design, with vertical [[fleurs-de-lis]] standing at the front, back and sides. Made from 22-carat [[gold]] and a set of precious 19 [[sapphire]]s, 30 [[emerald]]s, 44 [[spinel]]s, 20 [[pearl]]s, 1 [[ruby]], 1 [[Tourmaline#Tourmaline species and varieties|rubellite]] and 1 [[Beryl#Aquamarine and maxixe|aquamarine]], it weighs 2475g. At the top of the crown is the cross, which reportedly stores a thorn from [[Christ]]'s crown of thorns. Unlike in most later crowns, the cross does not stand on a [[monde]].▼

The Royal [[sceptre]] is made from 18-carat gold, 4 sapphires, 5 spinels and 62 pearls with an extra large spinel mounted on top of the sceptre; it weighs 1013g. The [[Royal orb]] is also made from 18-carat gold, 8 sapphires, 6 spinels and 31 pearls. It weighs 780g and is decorated with wrought relief scenes from the [[Old Testament]] and the [[Book of Genesis]]. The Coronation robe was used from 1653 until 1836. It is made from precious silky red material called "zlatohlav" and is lined with [[Stoat|ermine]] (fur of the stoat). The robe is stored separately from jewelry in a specially air conditioned repository.▼

For the [[coronation]] ceremonies, [[Sword of Saint Wenceslas|St. Wenceslas' sword]], a typical Gothic weapon, was used. The first mention of the sword reported in historical records is in 1333, but the [[blade]] dates back to the 10th century, while the [[hilt]] is from the 13th century and textiles are probably from the time of Charles IV. The iron blade length is 76&nbsp;cm, at the widest point is 45&nbsp;mm and has a ripped hole in a cross shape (45 x 20&nbsp;mm). The wooden handle is covered with yellow-brown fabric and [[velvet]] embroidered with the ornament of [[Laurus|laurel]] twigs with thick [[silver]] thread. After coronation ceremonies, the sword was used for the purpose of granting [[knighthoods]].▼

The oldest leather case for the crown was made for Charles IV in 1347. On top are inscribed four symbols: the Imperial eagle, Bohemian lion, the coat of arms of [[Arnošt of Pardubice]] and emblem of the [[Archbishopric of Prague]].▼

The door to Crown Jewels chamber, and likewise the iron safe, is hardly accessible and has seven locks. There are seven holders of the keys: the [[President of the Czech Republic|President of the Republic]], the [[List of Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic|Prime Minister]], the Prague Archbishop, the Chairman of the House of Deputies, the Chairman of the Senate, the Dean of the Metropolitan Chapter of St. Vitus Cathedral and the [[List of mayors of Prague|Mayor of Prague]], who must all convene to facilitate opening the impenetrable door and coffer.▼

The crown is named and dedicated after the [[Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia|Duke St. Wenceslaus]] of the [[Přemyslid]]s dynasty of [[Bohemia]]. The jewels should be permanently stored in the chapel of St. Wenceslaus in St. Vitus. They were only lent to Kings, and only on the day of the coronation, and should be returned in the evening that day. After 1918 and the establishment of the [[First Czechoslovak Republic|Czechoslovak Republic]] the Coronation Jewels ceased to serve their original function, but remained important as symbols of national independence and statehood. ▼

In the past, the Jewels were kept in different places, but have been always brought to royal coronations in [[Prague]]. [[Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia|Wenceslaus IV]] (1378-1419) probably moved them to [[Karlštejn Castle]]. They were then repeatedly moved for safety reasons: in the 17th century, they were returned to [[Prague Castle]], during the [[Thirty Years' War]] (1631) they were sent to a parish church in [[České Budějovice]], and then they were secretly taken to the [[Imperial Treasury, Vienna]] (1637). While the Jewels were stored in [[Vienna]], the original gold orb and sceptre from the 14th century were replaced with current ones. The new orb and sceptre probably originated with an order by [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]] in 1533. Possible reasons for this replacement might be that the originals were simply too austere, and lacked any precious stones. Deemed unrepresentative of the prestige of the Kingdom of Bohemia, it made sense to replace them with an orb and sceptre in an ornate, jeweled style that resembled the crown.<ref>[http://www.korunovacni-klenoty.cz/en/texts/royal-orb-and-sceptre.html The royal orb and sceptre]</ref>▼