In a breathtaking dive into the turbulent dawn of the Stuart era, acclaimed historian Tracy Borman unveils one of history's most audacious crimes in her latest work, 'The Stolen Crown: James I and the True Story of the Theft of Elizabeth I's Favourite Jewel'. This is not merely a tale of a missing gem; it's a high-stakes political thriller that exposes the fragile legitimacy of a new king and the courtly intrigue that threatened to undo him.
Borman masterfully reconstructs the brazen heist of a dazzling, diamond-encrusted crown from the royal treasury at the Tower of London. This was no ordinary piece of regalia. It was the favourite coronet of the revered Elizabeth I, a powerful symbol of the Tudor dynasty whose magic the newly crowned James I desperately needed to harness to secure his shaky claim to the English throne.
A Heist That Shook the Monarchy
The theft itself was executed with stunning boldness. The culprit, a high-ranking court insider, exploited his privileged access to simply walk out with the priceless jewel hidden in his clothing. The subsequent investigation, led by the infamous ‘hanging judge’ Sir Henry Montague, peeled back the layers of a court riddled with corruption, ambition, and deep-seated resentment towards the Scottish king.
Borman argues that the loss was catastrophic for James. The crown was a tangible link to the beloved Gloriana. Its disappearance was more than a financial blow; it was a profound political and symbolic crisis that his enemies saw as a sign of his weakness and God's displeasure.
More Than a Mystery: A Portrait of an Era
While the mystery of the theft propels the narrative, Borman's work shines in its rich depiction of the Jacobean court. She paints a vivid picture of a paranoid and lavish king, surrounded by a venomous nest of courtiers, including the widely despised favourite, George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. The book explores the rampant anti-Scottish sentiment and the growing fear that James was squandering Elizabeth’s legacy.
Meticulously researched and written with the pace of a novel, 'The Stolen Crown' is a triumph of narrative history. It transforms a forgotten criminal act into a compelling lens through which to view the anxieties of a nation navigating a precarious royal succession. Borman confirms her position as a storyteller who makes history feel immediate, urgent, and utterly fascinating.
