The Douglas Archives

A collection of historical and genalogical records

Probably made for Lady Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox, the Darnley, or Lennox, Jewel was acquired by Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1819-1901), when Queen of the United Kingdom (1837-1901) and is now one of the most important early jewels in the Royal Collection.

The jewel was formerly in the collection of Horace Walpole (1717-97). It was purchased by Queen Victoria at the sale of Strawberry Hill in 1842 and was listed among her private jewellery taken ‘to the Castle’ following her death in 1901.

The heart-shaped locket, or ‘tablet’ in the language of the 16th century, was intended to be worn around the neck or on the breast. The complex iconography of memento mori motifs and symbols of profane and sacred love relate to the Earl and Countess’s life together - the salamander is the crest of the house of Douglas and the heart its device and three fleurs-de-lis on an azure field form the first quarter of the Lennox arms. The jewel also reveals their ambitions for their grandson, the future James VI and I and provides him with the series of admonitions.

A visit to The Queen's Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse should be on the to-do list for the Douglas Clan Gathering.

Views: 185

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of The Douglas Archives to add comments!

Join The Douglas Archives

Comment by J Ruaidri Douglas on January 27, 2018 at 11:49

Saw that the Lennox Jewel has multiple images & layers, not previously shown here. Especially, note the Douglas imagery beyond the heart shape itself, on interior & reverse surfaces. 

Comment by J Ruaidri Douglas on January 12, 2018 at 14:18

Making conections

The more information you can give about the people you mention, the more chance there is of someone else connecting with your family.

Dates and places of births, deaths and marriages all help to place families.

Professions also help.

'My great-grandmother mother was a Douglas from Montrose' does not give many clues to follow up! But a bit of flesh on the bones makes further research possible. But if we are told who she married, what his profession was and where the children were baptised, then we can get to work.

Maybe it is time to update the information in your profile?


© 2024   Created by William Douglas.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service