ornaments. The duke's escutcheon displayed on the outside
of the tent was embellished with pearls and precious stones,
and the interior was hung with crimson velvet, embroidered
with golden foliage and pearls. The throne which formed a
part of his military equipage was of massive gold, and the hilts
of his sword and dagger were covered with rubies, sapphires,
and emeralds ; while his cap of maintenance and plume-case
were enriched with diamonds, pearls, rubies, and sapphires.
His Order of the Golden Fleece and seal were garnished with
precious stonos of great beauty and rarity. Some of the jewels
of this duke have a place among the gems of literature, including the " Lamp of Flanders," the " Three Brothers of
Antwerp," consisting of three rubies, and, according to some
writers, the Sancy diamond. A large part of these jewels
were captured by the Swiss, at the battle of Grandson, and
scattered throughout Europe ; some of them belong to the
French regalia. Sir Walter Scott, in his novel of " Anne of
Geierstein," gives a graphic account of the wealth of this prince
in costly jewels, and of their loss during his unfortunate war
with Switzerland.
The Duke of Orleans, who flourished during the latter part
of the fourteenth century, was distinguished for his munificent
gifts in precious stcnes to his favorite retainers, as well as for
his own luxurious habits of living. He displayed his love of
ornament not only in his personal attire, which was richly
decorated with brilliant gems, but also in all his domestic
arrangements ; his gold and silver plate, and other articles of
table service, being inlaid with them.
The Italians and Spaniards of the fourteenth and fifteenth
centuries emulated the other European states in the amount
and value of their gem collections ; while their nobles displayed
on their court-dresses whole mines of wealth. The mantilla of
