{"id":24742,"date":"2023-05-22T09:07:56","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T07:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.historyextra.com\/?p=224717"},"modified":"2023-05-23T01:12:59","modified_gmt":"2023-05-22T23:12:59","slug":"queens-of-bling-the-importance-of-jewellery-to-henry-viiis-six-wives","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbchistory\/rss_feed\/queens-of-bling-the-importance-of-jewellery-to-henry-viiis-six-wives\/","title":{"rendered":"Queens of bling: the importance of jewellery to Henry VIII\u2019s six wives"},"content":{"rendered":"

When each of the wives of King Henry VIII sought to project messages about themselves to the watching world, they often did so via their jewellery. Their pendants, brooches and gems could be to display anything from power to piety. Nicola Tallis explores portraits of the six queens to reveal how their choice of pendants, rubies and brooches shaped their public images <\/p>

By Dr Nicola Taliis\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 22 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Listen to a version of this article:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Catherine of Aragon: symbols of salvation as a public display of piety<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

The jewels worn by the first wife of Henry VIII<\/a> not only say a great deal about her status but, more significantly, her character and values. In keeping with the fashion for low-cut gowns, Catherine\u2019s is lined with pearls and diamonds set in goldsmith\u2019s work. But it was her necklace and brooch set that drew the most interest. Attached to the necklace of gold beads and clusters of pearls is an ornate tau cross \u2013 a T-shaped cross symbolic of salvation. Interestingly, Catherine\u2019s daughter, Mary<\/a>, was later painted wearing a similar cross, as were Jane Seymour and Katherine Parr, reflecting each queen\u2019s piety.<\/p>\n