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From the color of royalty to the color of revenge, the Black Prince’s Ruby also has a storied past. The 170-carat rough-cut spinel made its first appearance in 1367 when Don Pedro "The Cruel," King of Castile, murdered the ruby’s owner. Needing rescue from his enemies at the Battle of Nagera, Pedro gave the ruby to Edward, Prince of Wales, as payment for Edward’s help.

The cursed jewel was then worn into battle by Henry V in his coroneted helmet at the Battle of Agincourt. While the crown was mangled, good luck was with Henry and his encounter with the Duc d’Alencon.

Three centuries after it was acquired by Pedro and King Charles I’s execution, the ruby was wrapped in plain paper and sold for £4. Some three centuries later, it was then given back to the British Monarchy where the Black Prince’s Ruby is the giant ruby set on the front cross pattée of the British Imperial State Crown.

_{Black Prince's Ruby info and photo comes from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Prince%27s_Ruby | Photo © HMSO, London}


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