An Inventory of the Jewels of King James II

In the "Inventory of the Goods and Chattels belonging to King James the Second," at the time of his death ("Archaeologia," vol. 18), is appended a note, that "all our own Jewells and Chamber-Plate were brought safe out of England, as appears by a list of them now in our hands" (Queen Mary Beatrix), "whereof to the value of 159,128 livers have been sold, partly in the late King's time, and partly since, as may be seen by the dates of the respective sale of each Jewell in the following list; and that, for the relief of such distressed families and other faithfull Subjects, who having followed the late King in his misfortunes, must inevitably have perished, especially since the Pope's charity has been discontinued, had not this extraordinary means of selling our owne Jewells and Plate been made use of for their support. To which may be added one large Diamond of the Prince of Wales, now the King, sold in Jan., 1698, for 4200 liv., and also a pair of diamond buttons of his, sold in December, 1701, for 3,600 liv." The following is "a List of Jewells sold" (omitting dates): "A large Diamond of the Prince of Wales, 4,200 livres; a Diamond, 7,000; two Pearles, 1,000; a Diamond, 7,000; two Pearles, 8,000; a Bodkin with one Diamond, 16,000; a pair of Diamond pendants, 15,000; seven Diamond attaches, 19,000; two pair of Diamond buttons, 3,600; a Diamond Girdle, Buckle, and twelve Buttons and Loops, 21,000; a pair of Diamond shoe-buckles, 3,000; two Diamond attaches, 48,000; one Coulant of a Diamond Crosse, with the middle stone of the said Crosse, 8,000. Total, 166,928 livres."

In this inventory of effects belonging to King James II there is an entry, among "severall things belonging to the late King" (Charles II.) "in our owne closet." "One ruby ring, having a cross engraved on it, with which the late King was crowned." A curious interest is attached to this coronation ring. On the first attempt of James to escape from England, in 1688, he was detained by the fishermen of Sheerness. The King kept the diamond bodkin, which he had from the Queen, and the Coronation Ring, which for more security he put into his drawers. The captain, it appeared, was well acquainted with the dispositions of his crew, one of whom cried out, "It is Father Petre--I know him by his lantern jaws;" a second called him an "old, hatchet-faced Jesuit;" and a third, "a cunning old rogue, he would warrant him;" for, some time after he was gone, and probably by his order, several seamen entered the King's cabin, saying they must search him and the gentleman, believing that they had not given up all their money. The King and his companions told them they were at liberty to do so, thinking that their readiness would induce them not to persist; but they were mistaken; the sailors began their search with a roughness and rudeness which proved they were accustomed to their employment. At last, one of them, feeling about the King's knee, got hold of the diamond bodkin, and cried out, with the usual oath, that he had found a prize; but the King boldly declared he was mistaken. He had, indeed, scissors, a toothpick case, and little keys in his pocket, and what was felt was undoubtedly one of these articles. The man still seemed incredulous, and rudely thrust his hand into the King's pocket; but in his haste he lost hold of the diamond bodkin, and finding the things the King mentioned, remained satisfied it was so. By this means the bodkin and the ring were preserved.