Iron Crown of Lombardy

Iron Crown of Lombardy

Both reliquary and regalia for the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperors as kings of Italy, the crown is now kept at the Cathedral of Monza near Milan. Dating to the 4th or 5th century, the crown is made of gold and gemstones around a band that, according to tradition, is made out of iron from on of the nails used to affix Christ to the True Cross. The inner band measures at only 1 cm wide. Given the small size of the crown, it was perhaps used only as a votive crown or as an armlet. Some scholars suggest, however, that its current size is smaller due to the loss of two segments. The crown is said to have been forged by Helena for her son Constantine, and was eventually passed to Theodelinda, a Lombard princess, who donated it to the church at Monza in 628. The crown can be dated to two separate working periods: the earlier to the 4th-5th century and the later to the 8th or 9th. Apparently 34 coronations from the 9th to the 17th centuries made use of the crown, beginning with Charlemagne. In 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte, placed the iron crown on his head when he had himself crowed as King of Italy in Milan. The last time it was used was in 1838 by Emperor Ferdinand I. According to analysis, the “iron band” is actually 99% silver.

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