Elizabeth I had a very special piece of jewellery commissioned in around 1575, a piece that would mean so much to her that she would wear it on her finger until it was taken off her body after her death. What am I talking about? I am talking about Elizabeth I’s famous locket ring.
Why is this ring so important?
Quite simply because it is the only real evidence of how important Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn was to the Queen. It is said that Elizabeth I hardly mentioned Anne Boleyn, the mother who had been executed for adultery and treason when Elizabeth was just 2 years old, although she may have reminisced with her good friend Blanche Parry or the Boleyn relatives she surrounded herself with. But, it was too risky for Elizabeth to mention Anne in public, to draw attention to the fact that she was the illegitimate daughter of a woman known as a whore or witch, a woman who was said to have betrayed the King of England. Elizabeth could only grieve for Anne in private and this ring showed how important Anne’s memory was to her daughter.
The Locket Ring
The original ring, which still exists today, was made from a ring of mother of pearl which was embossed with tiny diamonds and rubies. The ring setting, or the front of the locket attachment, was set with 6 diamonds which formed the letter “E” over a blue enamel “R” for “Regina”. The ring top also had a beautiful pearl. What was ingenious about this ring is that it had a secret locket compartment which opened to reveal two miniature portraits – one of Elizabeth and one of a woman with a French hood and with features remarkable similar to Elizabeth’s. It could only be Anne Boleyn.
Related posts:
Elizabeth I’s Locket Ring on Display Now!
Elizabeth’s Women
Elizabeth I and Mother Figures
What museum or place has Elizabeth’s Locket Ring ?
Why Elizabeth I?
Happy Birthday Good Queen Bess!
The Legacy of Anne Boleyn
The Legacy of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I – Her Father’s Daughter and the Lion’s Cub
The Fall of Anne Boleyn
Finding Kat Ashley by Karen Harper
Elizabeth I’s Image
Wow! That is truly a gorgeous replica, and how touching that Elizabeth wore that ring until her death.
i don’t like it at all…looks nothing like the original and very tacky…I expected something more similar too band…who is currently in possession of the original ring?
The ring has been displayed at the National Maritime Museum but I think it is housed at Chequers. So sorry you don’t like it, it’s obviously tricky to do an exact replica.
This is a very nice article…I’ve always been very interested in this ring. It’s a very touching and sweet story.
And by the way, I’ll have to disagree with one of the former comments – I think that the replica is also beautiful! I don’t think it’s tacky at all!
I think it looks beautiful. Do you think it could be made to fit on a necklace? I have a hard time keeping rings from getting scratched. Please tell Daniela that I get many compliments in my B brooch and necklace.
Sorry – please tell her I get many compliments about my brooch and necklace!
Thanks Amanda, Natalie and Lisa, I’m glad you like it and it is a very touching story.
LIsa, the ring was actually made by Daniela who makes our “The Tudors” range over at the AB Files and the Elizabeth Movie range here. It was Steve who made your B necklace and brooch but I will definitely pass on your compliments to him. Steve makes our Elizabethan replica range on here, including the coins and the Princess Elizabeth necklace. I’ll ask Daniela about the necklace idea – that’s actually a great idea anyway!
It is a lovely piece of work. and a great conversation piece, too, because you can explain the story behind it, which is so touching. Daniela is very clever.
Thanks, Sarah! Yes, I think that, like the Anne Boleyn B Necklace, this is a conversation starter, a chance to educate people who ask about it.
Claire & Daniela,
I shared the story of the Ring with my daughter (a pre-teen), and she wants one for Christmas!! I was so touched that she would wear it proudly and that she enjoyed the history behind it as well. Thanks again for making this available to us so that we may create our own family history!
Nancy