laity, but has characterized the clergy as well. This tendency
among the ecclesiastics during the Norman period in England
was so conspicuous in the sacerdotal paraphernalia that it was
deemed necessary to impose legal restraints upon it. Priestly
vestments were at that time almost literally covered with
costly gems. Thomas à Becket was a notorious example of
this kind of clerical extravagance. The drinking cup of this
ambitious priest, which has come down as a relic of mediaeval
times, is made of silver and ivory studded with pearls and
precious stones. The high prelates generally did not fall below
him in their fondness for personal ornaments, as is proved by
the embroidered robes, covered with gold and gems, in which
they were entombed. Chaucer and other poets have made the
luxury of contemporary ecclesiastics a subject of keen satire
and bold denunciation remarkable for those times.
Robberies. — The intrinsic value of precious stones, and
the comparative facility with which they may be concealed or
carried off, afford strong incentives for attempted robberies,
which have in several notable instances been successful.
Not even the sanctity and veneration attached to shrines,
temples, and churches, have always preserved them from
being despoiled of their immense wealth in these costly
offerings.
In the reign of Edward I., Westminster Abbey, in which the
royal jewels were deposited, was robbed of these treasures,
though fortunately a large part of them were recovered. A
bold but unsuccessful attempt was made by Blood, during the
reign of Charles II., to carry off the regalia, which were kept
in the Tower of London ; and Queen Anne, consort of James I.,
was robbed of her personal jewels, valued at one hundred and
eighty thousand dollars, of which no trace was ever discovered.
