Elizabeth I's Locket Ring

Who is the other lady? January Blog

Hi!

Welcome to the latest history blog article published on my Substack, for paying members. I’ve included a free extract from the article, below. This article is also published in my British History Patreon club.

Extract from this article

The Chequers Ring is a locket ring owned by Queen Elizabeth I and which she was wearing when she died.

In November 2021, I was fortunate enough to see this, rarely displayed, locket ring. In any description of it, it is always described as “tiny” and I can attest to that after seeing it in real life. So tiny that even my super-duper iPhone couldn’t take a good, clear photo of it, just 30 inches away, in its glass display cabinet. A testament to Elizabeth’s long slim fingers of which she was so proud.

This ring itself is made of mother of pearl and is topped with a small and delicate ruby, diamond and pearl encrusted locket ring. On the underside of the ring is an oval gold plate embellished with a phoenix rising in the flames, which was an emblem of Elizabeth’s. Diamonds set in the shape of an ‘E’ embellish the outer side, with two miniature portraits enclosed. Each miniature is only the size of a small fingernail; one is easily recognisable as Queen Elizabeth herself but who is the other lady?

Well, there are a number of theories.

It has been suggested that the second portrait could be that of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth and final wife, who Elizabeth lived with for a time following Henry's death. Elizabeth was close to Catherine Parr so it is not beyond reason that she may have a piece of jewellery to remind her of her stepmother. If this is the case and the ring depicts Catherine Parr it an exquisite keepsake! 

A second suggestion is…

British History is a reader-supported publication. To read the full, illustrated, article please become a paid member for £3.50.