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By Tara Kingston For centuries, precious jewels have been treasured for their beauty and scarcity. Gems such as crimson rubies, rich blue sapphires, and sparkling diamonds adorn the crowns of royalty and have been passed down through families as cherished heirlooms. But is it possible that some of the most legendary gemstones actually brought misfortune to their owners? Is it conceivable that a gleaming stone could actually bring tragedy upon the one who possesses it? Here’s a look at some gems that are rumored to carry a curse:
The Hope Diamond
Steel Engraving - Marie Antoinette before her Execution
Were Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette victims of the curse rumored to follow this legendary blue diamond? Evidence suggests the stone known as the Hope Diamond was recut from the French Blue, a sixty-seven carat gem that had been part of the French crown jewels. During the French Revolution, the priceless diamond was stolen from the royal treasury, while Louis XVI and his wife, Queen Marie Antoinette, went to the guillotine in 1793. The gem was believed to have resurfaced in London in 1812, recut to 45.54 carats.
Evalyn Walsh McLean
Decades later, American heiress Evalyn Walsh McLean acquired the diamond in 1910. She suffered great tragedy after the purchase, including the death of two of her children. After Mrs. McLean’s death in 1947, the diamond was purchased by Harry Winston, who later donated the jewel to the Smithsonian Institution.
The Koh-I-Noor Diamond
Koh-I-Noor Diamond
This massive diamond (105.6 carats) was rumored to have served as the eye of an idol of a Hindu goddess. Dubbed the Koh-I-Noor diamond, which is Persian for “Mountain of Light”, the gem was acquired by England as part of the British annexation of Punjab.According to legend, a Hindu curse brings misfortune upon any male in possession of the stone. Perhaps in the spirit of playing it safe, the jewel has never been worn by any male among the British Royals. The gem was
Queen Mary's Crown
placed in the crown used for the coronation of Queen Alexandra in 1902 and later mounted in Queen Mary's crown. The jewel was placed in the Queen Mother’s crown in 1947, where it remains to this day. The crown and the diamond are on display in the Tower of London.
The Black Prince’s Ruby
Imperial State Crown
A red spinel dubbed the “Great Imposter”, the Black Prince’s Ruby is mounted in England’s Imperial State crown. Named for Edward of Woodstock, the fourteenth century “Black Prince”, the gemstone is rumored to have brought tragedy upon historical figures including the Sultan of Granada, who was in possession of the stone when he was murdered, Henry V, who nearly died at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and Richard III, who died in the Battle of Bosworth.
Many other rare gemstones including the Star of India, the Black Orlov diamond, and the Sancy diamond are associated with deadly curses. So, what are your thoughts—are these legends based in truth or mere superstition?
To learn more about these gems:
http://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/a_nav/hope_nav/hnav_level_1/1_past_hopfrm.html http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/hope.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koh-i-Noor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Prince's_Ruby All photographs and historical images are in the public domain.
Award-winning and Amazon.com bestselling author Tara Kingston writes historical romance laced with intrigue, danger, and adventures of the heart. A Southern belle-out-of-water in a quaint Pennsylvania town, she lives her own love story with her real-life hero in a cozy Victorian. The mother of two sons, Tara's a former librarian whose love of books is evident in her popping-at-the-seams bookcases. It goes without saying that she’s thankful for the invention of digital books, thereby eliminating the need for yet another set of shelves. When she's not writing, reading, or burning dinner, Tara enjoys cycling, hiking, and cheering on her favorite football team. Click the links to connect with Tara at www.tarakingston.com and on Facebook
Lift your mug and toast with me. Today’s post is about what pirates loved to do best—drinking.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “three sheets to the wind” and know it means to be very drunk. But did you know that this expression is seafaring in nature?
It’s true, but its actual origin is likely not what you might guess. Three sheets to the wind, like flapping sails, that’s what you’re thinking, right? Typical landlubber mistake. Sheets don’t refer to sails at all. Nope. Instead, the sheets are the ropes that hold the lower corners of the sails in place. If the sheets (ropes) are loose, then the sails will not be drawn tight in the wind. They’ll flap. Flapping sails will cause a ship to stagger—much like a boozy, moon-eyed drunk.
If that isn’t fascinating enough, sailors used a scale to rate drunkenness. Because we all need to know our state of inebriation.
One sheet = slightly buzzed, just enough to start trouble
Two sheets = drunk, tendency to fight or sing karaoke
Three sheets = sloppy, can hardly stay upright, “I love you, man” plastered
Four sheets = out cold
In Dead Man’s Kiss, pirate captain Valeryn Barone had drowned his sorrows and became so belligerent drunk, somewhere between three and four sheets, he wound up in a fight to what he hoped would be his death. Instead, he got something much worse.
Forced to make a bargain…One drunken night in Cuba lands Captain Valeryn Barone in a life or death situation. To escape the gallows, Valeryn must agree to a bargain only a fool would make: Escort the tempting and tenacious niece of his captor across the Caribbean or lose his ship, his crew and his life! The caveat? The beautiful Spanish woman must remain untouched for the entire voyage.
Determined to get what she wants…Catalina Montoya will stop at nothing to get what she wants—even when trouble is certain. Sent to live with her uncle after a scandalous affair, Catalina intends to concentrate on her dream to become a renowned naturalist. She never expected her uncle would send her with a notorious pirate to further her studies. Worse, she never expected to want the devilishly handsome pirate more than anything else.
It’s a battle of wills…Now Catalina only has 8 weeks to seduce Valeryn and collect her specimens before he returns her to her uncle. And Valeryn has 8 weeks to secure his redemption. Except neither would be that lucky. Not when ruthless enemies threaten to destroy them at every turn. Can Valeryn save those that foolishly depend on him? Can he resist Catalina’s heart? Does a dead man walking even have a chance?
So the next time you’re throwing back the grog, wine, or spirits you can astound your mates with your amazing drinking knowledge. This has been a Public Service Announcement brought to you by the resident rum-swilling pirate wench.
I had the extreme pleasure of reading Victoria by Daisy Goodwin. The book was phenomenal and now I'm clearing my schedule to watch the show Victoria on PBS, also written by Ms. Goodwin, on January 15th! So, you have 2 weeks to read the book before the show!!!
From the Publisher...
"Victoria is an absolutely captivating novel
of youth, love, and the often painful transition from immaturity to adulthood.
Daisy Goodwin breathes new life into Victoria's story, and does so with
sensitivity, verve, and wit." ~ AMANDA FOREMAN
Drawing on Queen Victoria’s diaries, which she first started
reading when she was a student at Cambridge University, Daisy Goodwin—creator
and writer of the new PBS/Masterpiece drama Victoria and author of the
bestselling novels The American Heiress and The Fortune Hunter—brings
the young nineteenth-century monarch, who would go on to reign for 63 years,
richly to life in this magnificent novel.
Early one morning, less than a month after her eighteenth
birthday, Alexandrina Victoria is roused from bed with the news that her uncle
William IV has died and she is now Queen of England. The men who run the
country have doubts about whether this sheltered young woman, who stands less
than five feet tall, can rule the greatest nation in the world.
Despite her age, however, the young queen is no puppet. She
has very definite ideas about the kind of queen she wants to be, and the first
thing is to choose her name.
“I do not like the name Alexandrina,” she proclaims. “From
now on I wish to be known only by my second name, Victoria.”
Next, people say she must choose a husband. Everyone keeps
telling her she’s destined to marry her first cousin, Prince Albert, but
Victoria found him dull and priggish when they met three years ago. She is
quite happy being queen with the help of her prime minister, Lord Melbourne,
who may be old enough to be her father but is the first person to take her seriously.
On June 19th, 1837, she was a teenager. On June 20th, 1837,
she was a queen. Daisy Goodwin’s impeccably researched and vividly imagined new
book brings readers Queen Victoria as they have never seen her before.
My Review...
Despite my love of British history, I admit that my knowledge of Queen Victoria was limited to knowing she loved her husband so much that she mourned him for all of her days, and that most people found her to be prudish because of her morality. So, I was extremely excited to read the book. Especially because I'd just finished binge-watching The Crown on Netflix, and needed another British queen fix. And I learned so much! Ms. Goodwin writes in beautiful, flowing, captivating words. The "just one more page... turns into twenty" kind of way.
The book opens when Victoria aka "Drina" (nicknamed/called so my her mother/family as her first name was Alexandrina) is not yet queen. She's closeted away in a remote manor and ruled over by her mother, the Duchess of Kent, and her mother's comptroller, Sir John Conroy (a man you will truly despise.)
Victoria was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of King George III. Her father died shortly after she was born, and so did everyone else in line before her. As a child, she prayed her uncle would not pass before her eighteenth birthday, because she was so oppressed by her mother via the comptroller, Conroy, who wished her mother to rule as regent. They often did not see eye-to-eye on various topics. Victoria felt a distance between herself and her mother because her mother often took Conroy's side over hers.
Her prayers were answered when her uncle died a month after she turned eighteen and she was able to avoid a regency, though there were plenty who tried to stand in her way. She found a champion in Lord Melbourne, asking if he would be her Prime Minister. The relationship between these two is powerful to say the least. He is guiding hand and teacher in her becoming a queen, though she was prepared for the role since birth. He helped her to truly see what her position meant. And taught her something of love. Victoria blooms within the pages from a somewhat petulant child intent on vindication for her "confinement" to a woman, a queen, who is respected.
From early on, her governess turned advisor/companion of the queen's, Lady Louise Lehzen was a great supporter of hers, and acted as a barrier between the Duchess of Kent/Sir Conroy and Victoria. I loved their relationship and was so glad that Victoria had a champion in her lady and in her prime minister.
Victoria greatly admired Queen Elizabeth (whom I also admire) and there was quite a bit of mirroring in her choices. The love of a man she couldn't marry, etc... I loved the way Ms. Goodwin tied this in so poetically.
Toward the end of the book, though she is resisting marrying, Victoria finds herself attracted to her cousin Prince Albert, though he makes her mad quite often with his disapproving manner. Handsome, proud, intense, well-educated, he is a prince that won't bend to her will, won't allow her to only hear what she wants to hear. They are a perfect balance to each other, for she brings out his smile, and makes him feel safe.
A true winner, and not to be missed. Ms. Goodwin has blown me away. I only wish it had not ended! I could have read it forever! I highly recommend this book and I am thrilled to watch her show!
