Through history

The evolution of the crown

This crown featured as part of the dowry for Princess Blanche of England, daughter of King Henry IV, for her marriage to Louis III, Elector Palatine. It is believed that the crown once belonged to Queen Anne of Bohemia, the wife of King Richard

II, who Henry deposed. The crown follows typical Medieval design consisting of heavily bejewelled fleur-de-lis, with 12 of them in total supported by a circlet of 12 hexagonal rosettes. Sapphires, rubies, emeralds, diamonds and pearls all feature on the crown, and the lilies can be detached for easier transportation.

This crown is the oldest surviving one from England and has remained in Bavaria since Blanche’s lifetime