The Jewel House: An Account of the Many Romances Connected with the Royal Regalia / Together with Sir Gilbert Talbot's Account of Colonel Blood's Plot

This work surveys the origins, symbolism, and custody of royal regalia, explaining how crowns, sceptres, and plate were accumulated and safeguarded. It traces the movement of the jewels from ecclesiastical guardianship into fortified storage and describes changes in the Jewel House’s location, security, and display. The account recounts thefts, narrow escapes, and a notorious attempt to seize the crown, profiles the keepers and ceremonial uses, and examines major gems, ecclesiastical and state plate, and orders of chivalry. Appendices reproduce documents, lists, and historical notes that support the main narrative.