The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-09-04
9istontal
Ancient Crowns.


placed upon the heads Of the old-time
German emperors, who were crowned first
at the grave Of Charlemagne, at Achen,
with the silver crown of Germany; second,
at Milan, with the Iron Crown Of LON
hardy, and lastly, at Rome, with the golden
crown Of the Empire, bestowed by the
Pope in person. OF these crowns, the
second was the most venerable, dating
back to period of some thirteen hundred
years ogo, when it was formed, in the early
part of the sixth century, by Roman gold
smiths, and sent by Pope Gregory the
Great to Queen Theodolinda Of Lombardy.
This iron crown, as its name implies, is
of simple construction 1t is but broad
fat ring or diadem Of gold, adorned with
enamelled flowers and precious stones
stones not cut into facets, as in modern
jewelry, but emeralds, sapphires and ru-
bies in their rough uncut form, as they
came from the mine. But inside this cir
Gle of gold and jewels is thin band Of
iron, from which the crown takes It's name,
and this iron, tradition asserts, is one Of
the nails Of the true cross hammered out
into ring. Its history is that of the
German Empire after the conquest Of
Lombardy, by Charlemagne, in IA. 1t
graced the brow of that great eonqueror
and emperor, and was worn in turn by his
successors, the Emperors Of Germany.
The last sovereign who wore it was Napo-
leon /. In May, 1905, he assembled at
Milan the dignitaries Of the empire, the
representatives Of his royal and imperial
allies, and splendid circle Of marshaIs
and generals, and in their presence he
placed it on his head, repeating the proud
motto Of the Iron Grown "God has given
Il to me; woe to him who touches it r In
1859, the Austrians, retreating from Lom-
hardy, took the Iron Grown with them 10
Mautua and subsequently to Vienna.
There it remained until, by the treaty
which ceded Venetia to Italy, in 1866, it
was restored to its old home in the sacristy
Of the cathedral at Mona, and there it
rests to-day, amid the other treasures of
good Queen Tbeodolinda, among which
are her golden hen and its seven chickens
(the symbols Of Lombardy and its seven
provinces) and the crown of her husband,
Agiluph.
Next in age to the Iron Crown, but far
exceeding ii in value and beauty of work
manship, are the crowns of the old Gothic
kings of Spain, discovered seventeen years
ago near Toledo. They were found in
some excavations which were made in an
ancient cemetery at Fuente di Guerrazar,
two leagues from that city. They are
eight in number, and their intrinsic value
is estimated at ten thousand dollars. The
largest, splendid circle Of gold one foot
in diameter, bears the name Of King Re-
eeswinthus who reigned in the middle of
the seventh century. This diadem is
adorned with fine rubies, pearls and sap
phires, and round it runs row of little
crosses Of carnelian and gold.
The Crown of Scotland is also one Of
the older crowns of Europe. 1t is sup
posed to have been made for Robert Bruce,
who reigned in the carly part Of the four
teenth century. 1t is formed of two cir
cles of gold, the upper being surrounded
by row Of crosses and Resrs de Us, whilst
the lower aud broader ring is adorned
with precious stones, in their rough, un-
polished state, From this rise two arches
of gold, which unite in ball and cross
This crown was used at the coronation of
all the successors of the great Robert
Bruce, and even after the kingdoms Of
Scotland and England were consolidated,
the Stuarts came to Scotland after their
English coronation, to receive the crown
at Scone. Charles and Charles II were
both crowned with it, the latter on Jan
uary LIST, 1861. During his reign the
Scotch crown and regalia went through an
eventful career. AT the time Cromwell
advanced across the border they were sent
away from Edinburgh to the strong castle
Of Dunnottar, on the shores Of the North
Sea, lest they should fall into his hands.
The castle was put in charge Of strong
garrison, and well reinforced with heavy
guns. On the Sd Of January, 1862, the
Cromwellian General, Lambert, having
closely invested it, summoned it to sur
render. The summons was rejected, and
the siege began. 0gilyy, the General in
command, had previously asked that ship
might be sent to carry off tho crown,
sceptre and sword of state, but Charles
had not been able to comply with his re-
quest.
II soon became evident that the castle
could not hold out, aud means were de-
vised to save the regain. The chief agent
in the plot was the wife Of the Rev. James
Granger, of Kenniif, small church four
miles from Dunnottar. She obtained from
Gen. Lambert permission to pass through
his lines TO visit the lady of the castle, and
on her return secretly brought away the
Scottish crown. Her maid followed her,
bearing two long bundles Of lint, as If for
spinning, but in one Of them the sword Of
state was hidden and in the other the
sceptre.
On reaching KinneiF, she gave them to
her husband, and that night they went
into the church, raised a Gag Of the pave
ment in front Of the pulpit, dug a hole,