Beyond Death

Jewels have always been objects of immense value, and in the Middle Ages, they were also said to possess magical properties. It was believed they gathered a special energy capable of protecting those who wore them. Additionally, they were often ground into powder and used as medicine, an arguable practice, but who knows, maybe it really worked!

Richard III had a passion for jewels, a preference that even earned him the reputation of being a dandy. However, he was no more fond of jewels than any other noble of his time. For the nobility, jewels represented a way to flaunt their status and were a tangible demonstration of respect and social power.

When Richard was still Duke of Gloucester, he asked Sir John Pilkington to sell him his precious emerald, but Pilkington refused. However, upon his death in 1479, Sir John decided to leave the jewel to Richard as a gift, explicitly mentioning it in his will.

According to some theories, the jewel may later have passed into the hands of Anne Boleyn, gifted to her by Henry VIII, though there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Unfortunately, the jewel has never been depicted or accurately described. We don’t know if it was a necklace, a ring, or another type of ornament.

Its fate remains a mystery: it may have been lost, destroyed, or transformed over time, changing its shape and purpose. I like to imagine it as a ring worn by Richard on special occasions, or perhaps as an ornament adorning a regal collar. Let me dream…

𝐏.𝐒. Sir John Pilkington was a fervent supporter of the White Rose and remained loyal to both Edward IV and Richard until the end. Sadly, he did not live long enough to see Richard ascend the throne. I wonder if his support could have made a difference. Could he have changed the course of events? Perhaps yes… perhaps no. Let me dream here as well…

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