The Crown Jewels of the monarchy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are today kept in the Tower of London and date mostly to the 17th century, with a few later sparkling additions such as the Koh-i-Noor and Cullinan diamonds. The regalia does, though, include several medieval articles and many of the gemstones have a much older (and often darker) history than the crowns and sceptres in which they today find themselves.
More about: British Crown JewelsDefinition
Timeline
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973First text description of the coronation of an English monarch, the crowning of King Edgar.
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25 Dec 1066William the Conqueror holds the first coronation at Westminster Abbey.
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1100 - 1300Possible period in which the Koh-i-Noor diamond was discovered in the Golconda mines in India.
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Oct 1216New regalia items are created for the coronation of Henry III of England.
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Oct 1216King John of England loses some of the Crown Jewels while escaping rebels.
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1649The Parliamentarians destroy, dismantle or sell off the British Crown Jewels.
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1661New Crown Jewels are created for the coronation of Charles II with some of the pre-revolution regalia being found and reused.
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26 Jan 1905The Cullinan diamond is discovered in Transvaal, South Africa.
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9 Nov 1907The Cullian diamond is presented to Edward VII of England for his 66th birthday.
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Feb 1908 - Nov 1908Joseph Asscher and Company of Amsterdam cut the Cullinan diamond into 9 large stones and 96 smaller gems.
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21 Nov 1908The Cullinan I and II diamonds are presented to Edward VII.
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1910The Cullinan II diamond is set into the Imperial State Crown of the British Crown Jewels.
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1911The Cullinan I diamond is added to the Sovereign's Sceptre of the British Crown Jewels.
