Page:The Ancestor Number 1.djvu/193

 THE ANCESTOR 143 I have already mentioned, that, previous to the removal of the top stone of king Edward's tomb, the dean of Westminster, who was present from the opening to the shutting it up, had taken every possible precaution that no damage might be done either to the royal body, or its sarcophagus. The like vigilance was observed by him during the time the coffin continued open : so that the corpse did not receive the least violation or injury ; neither was it despoiled of any of its vestments, regalia, or ornaments. On the contrary, all things were suffered to remain in the same condition, situation, and place, wherein they were found. After the spectators had taken a sufficient view, the top of the coffin, and the covering-stone of the tomb, were restored to their proper places, and fastened down by a strong cement of terrice before the dean retired from the chapel. Fig. 7. Great Seal of Edward I. From this description of so many of the king's robes as were examined, it will be seen that they agree with the lists and effigies already noted. One ornament however now appears for the first time, namely the stole. The history of this will be discussed below. Of the crowns belonging to the regalia in the reign of Edward I. some interesting particulars have been preserved. In the wardrobe account of his twenty-eighth year (1299— K