Hair belonging to King Edward IV and was encased inside a rose-cut diamond is set to go up for auction – but would you spend £8,000 on a lock of hair?
This is what is on offer at Dreweatts’ Jewellery auction later this month. The 18th century locket contains a lock of hair from the late monarch, who died in 1483, in the form of a bow and is surrounded by diamonds.
King Edward was a central figure in the War Of The Roses and died in 1483. His hair was taken from his tomb at Windsor Castle hundreds of years after his burial. The piece of history is to be sold at Dreweatts’ Jewellery auction later this month, and is expected to fetch between £5,000 and £8,000.
The King’s hair is tied in a bow above a rose-cut diamond cypher ER and sits beneath a rose-cut diamond crown on a light blue enamel ground, surrounded by an oval of diamonds.
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
On the curved reverse is engraved: ‘Hair of Edward 4th, who died [Ap]ril 9th 1483, discovered at Win[dsor], March 1789.
The 3.7cm long, 10.6-gram brooch was crafted in the late 18th century after renovations at the royal St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle accidentally disturbed his tomb and his coffin was opened.
Inside, some of his remains, including surprisingly well-preserved strands of his hair, were discovered.
King Edward IV, born in France in April 1442, was the eldest son of Richard, Duke of York, and Cecily Neville.
His father’s claim to the English throne passed onto him after the Duke of York was killed at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460.
At 18, he led the Yorkist forces to a decisive victory at the Battle of Towton in 1461, effectively ending Lancastrian rule and allowing him to claim the throne as Edward IV.
Edward’s reign was marked by attempts to consolidate power, but his secret marriage to commoner and widow Elizabeth Woodville in 1464 sparked tensions with powerful nobles.
The marriage led to Edward’s brief deposition in 1470 when Edward’s brother George, Duke of Clarence, aligned with the Lancastrians to restore Henry VI to the throne.
However, Edward returned from exile in Flanders in 1471, reclaimed the throne after defeating Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, at the Battle of Barnet and the Lancastrians at the Battle of Tewkesbury, and secured his position as king.
(Image: Dreweatts / SWNS)
His second reign, in which he focused on restoring royal authority, strengthening the economy, and developing a more centralised government, was more stable.
But his sudden death in April 1483, at the age of 40, left his kingdom in turmoil.
His 12-year-old son, Edward V, was declared king but was never crowned.
Edward V and his brother, Richard, Duke of York, were imprisoned in the Tower of London, where they mysteriously disappeared, leading to the rise of Richard III.
Edward IV’s legacy is complex and marked by his military successes, his efforts to stabilise the realm, and the unresolved mysteries surrounding his sons, known as the ‘Princes in the Tower’.
Charlotte Peel, Head of Jewellery at Dreeatts, said: “We are delighted to be offering this exceptional Royal jewel, which carries a lock of King Edward IV’s hair.
“A Royal connection always draws a lot of interest and while other jewellery carrying the King Edward IV’s hair has come up at auction, this particular piece is the most extravagant of them all, as it features a rose cut diamond cypher ER and crown, and is set within an old European cut diamond surround.
“We therefore anticipate a lot of interest in this beautiful and historical piece.”
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