above the altar on a large scarf or ribbon. Since William mentions seeing a sapphire displayed in this way in his letter, I believe that the blue carbuncle the Abbot put in the real sapphire’s place may not have been so fine a gem as the one William actually saw and helped the Abbot hide away,” Rowena suggested.
“We came to the same conclusion, Lady Rowena. An inferior blue sapphire might not merit mention among treasures so valuable as a silver and gilt altar, and thousands of pounds worth of gold, silver and plate. There was reference in an earlier letter of numerous gold and silver encrusted jewels being sent. And thousands of pounds in monies. The sapphire William described seemed to be of high quality by his description that it sparkled like stars. And it was called the Great Sapphire , so its size must have been substantial for a gem.” Harry set his empty cup upon its saucer and rose from his chair.
He moved to stand before the large fireplace. He gazed momentarily at the crackling fire. He was not in the habit of taking tea with ladies, but he reasoned he would do that and more to be in the company of the Angel. He was enjoying himself.
“You’re right, Harry. A large sapphire sparkling like a million stars is how William described it if memory serves. The stone itself had to be of some veritable size to be suspended above this great altar. Surely a sapphire of that size and beauty would have been a noteworthy discovery and should have merited mention in the letters to Thomas Cromwell.” Lyon joined his friend before the fire.
“I agree Lyon, but surrounded by as much gold, silver, wealth, and finery of every imaginable kind as Cromwell’s men would have gleaned from the Abbey, perhaps even a fine sapphire might escape notice and therefore not be mentioned,” Aunt Frances posed.
“There is that possibility, Aunt Frances. Glastonbury was if not the wealthiest monastery, then the second wealthiest in all of England.” Rowena frowned in disappointment.
“ We do, however, believe the cross William referred to might be a cross found in 1191, buried in the grounds near the old ancient church. The monks found it above the bodies of the supposed King Arthur and Guinevere when their bones were dug up. The last record of this cross was an engraving by William Camden, in 1607, a copy of which Lord Amesbury brought with him to share with you.”
Lyon returned to the table beside the chair he previously occupied. He retrieved a book, opened it to the correct page, and presented it to Lady Sperring who was closest to him.
“Why yes, it might be one and the same.” Frances nodded as she perused the page.
Sir John, who looked over her shoulder, politely agreed with her before passing the book along to Rowena.
Rowena tried to read the letters on the copy of the engraving, but having difficulty, chose to read Camden’s translation instead. Here lies Arthur, the famous King, in the Island of Avalon. “I wholeheartedly agree, for Camden mentions it is leaden, and William Dulac did say in his letter it was a cross of the King’s bones they hid. The only King whom William mentioned in his letter regarding the hidden treasure was Arthur.”
“And his Queen.” Harry added. He thought of Arthur’s Queen only because found himself leisurely admiring the rather regal Lady Rowena. Her guinea gold curls were tamed into a top knot today while wispy, and he suspected natural ringlets framed her oval face. It was a much less intricate style than she wore the evening before, but it suited her very well. In fact, he preferred it. Her day dress of palest gold, though modestly cut, emphasized the curves of her breasts and the smallness of her waist leading to the curves of her hips. Dainty slippers peeked beneath her hem which was embroidered with small floral sprays in a myriad of colors.
“Thank you, Lord Glaston. Let us not forget Queen Guinevere!” Rowena wore a
“We came to the same conclusion, Lady Rowena. An inferior blue sapphire might not merit mention among treasures so valuable as a silver and gilt altar, and thousands of pounds worth of gold, silver and plate. There was reference in an earlier letter of numerous gold and silver encrusted jewels being sent. And thousands of pounds in monies. The sapphire William described seemed to be of high quality by his description that it sparkled like stars. And it was called the Great Sapphire , so its size must have been substantial for a gem.” Harry set his empty cup upon its saucer and rose from his chair.
He moved to stand before the large fireplace. He gazed momentarily at the crackling fire. He was not in the habit of taking tea with ladies, but he reasoned he would do that and more to be in the company of the Angel. He was enjoying himself.
“You’re right, Harry. A large sapphire sparkling like a million stars is how William described it if memory serves. The stone itself had to be of some veritable size to be suspended above this great altar. Surely a sapphire of that size and beauty would have been a noteworthy discovery and should have merited mention in the letters to Thomas Cromwell.” Lyon joined his friend before the fire.
“I agree Lyon, but surrounded by as much gold, silver, wealth, and finery of every imaginable kind as Cromwell’s men would have gleaned from the Abbey, perhaps even a fine sapphire might escape notice and therefore not be mentioned,” Aunt Frances posed.
“There is that possibility, Aunt Frances. Glastonbury was if not the wealthiest monastery, then the second wealthiest in all of England.” Rowena frowned in disappointment.
“ We do, however, believe the cross William referred to might be a cross found in 1191, buried in the grounds near the old ancient church. The monks found it above the bodies of the supposed King Arthur and Guinevere when their bones were dug up. The last record of this cross was an engraving by William Camden, in 1607, a copy of which Lord Amesbury brought with him to share with you.”
Lyon returned to the table beside the chair he previously occupied. He retrieved a book, opened it to the correct page, and presented it to Lady Sperring who was closest to him.
“Why yes, it might be one and the same.” Frances nodded as she perused the page.
Sir John, who looked over her shoulder, politely agreed with her before passing the book along to Rowena.
Rowena tried to read the letters on the copy of the engraving, but having difficulty, chose to read Camden’s translation instead. Here lies Arthur, the famous King, in the Island of Avalon. “I wholeheartedly agree, for Camden mentions it is leaden, and William Dulac did say in his letter it was a cross of the King’s bones they hid. The only King whom William mentioned in his letter regarding the hidden treasure was Arthur.”
“And his Queen.” Harry added. He thought of Arthur’s Queen only because found himself leisurely admiring the rather regal Lady Rowena. Her guinea gold curls were tamed into a top knot today while wispy, and he suspected natural ringlets framed her oval face. It was a much less intricate style than she wore the evening before, but it suited her very well. In fact, he preferred it. Her day dress of palest gold, though modestly cut, emphasized the curves of her breasts and the smallness of her waist leading to the curves of her hips. Dainty slippers peeked beneath her hem which was embroidered with small floral sprays in a myriad of colors.
“Thank you, Lord Glaston. Let us not forget Queen Guinevere!” Rowena wore a
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