Sir Edward Carey - Queen Elizabeth's Master of the Jewels

Sir Edward Carey was Queen Elizabeth I's Master of the Jewels from 1595 - 1603, and joint Master of the Jewels with his son Henry Carey, 1st Viscount Falkland (b.1575 - d.1633), for King James I from 1603 - 1618. His family was well known within court circles. His father John Carey served as Groom of the Privy Chamber to Henry VIII, and he was the step brother of Francis Walsingham, through his mother Joyce Denny's second marriage to William Walsingham.

Henry Carey, 1st Viscount Falkland. Image Copyright to the National Trust, Hardwick Hall.

Soon after his appointment Edward was handed some of the queens jewels and goods by some commissioners on 5th August 1595 that had been in the possession of his predecessor John Astley, Esquier). It was decided that the jewels and goods of Elizabeth I that were in John's possession would be noted in way of an inventory. Work began on the inventory on 20th February 1596, which was copied into two books, one of which was given to Sir Edward Carey, the other book was signed by two commissioners being Lord Burghley, High Treasurer, and Sir John Fortescue, Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

Inventory Book Cover Entitled 'Queen Elizabeth Jewels and Plate, Signed by S.Edw.Carey. It is thought to be a later 17th/18th Century Addition. Image copyright to the British Library. Stowe MS 566


Close Up Detail of The Inventory Book Cover. Image copyright to the British Library. Stowe MS 566

One of the first entries on the inventory (which must be taken as one of the most important items) is the Kings Crown, which is described in great detail:

‘Firste the kinges Crowne of golde, the border garnished with seaven Ballaces, eighte Sapheres, fire poynted Dyamondes, twentie Rubies twoe of them being crased nynetene pearles, And one of the crosses of the same Crowne garnished with a greate Sapher, an Emeralde crased, fower Ballaces and nyne pearles not all of one sorte’.


Image from the Inventory Book Listing the Kings Crown. Image Copyright to the British Library. Stowe MS 566

But the inventory wasn't just full of listings for glamorous items, within the inventory, we also see gold toothpicks being listed which were in regular use at the courts of the Tudor monarchs. It also lists broken jewellery. Given the value of items - broken or not, it is not surprising to see them listed within the inventory.

Image from the Inventory Book Listing Some Gold Toothpicks. Image Copyright to the British Library. Stowe MS 566

All pages on the inventory have been signed by Sir Edward Carey himself, he no doubt triple checked everything before signing his name to every page. The listed items were also probably valued by the team of goldsmiths working for the queen, which were at Edward's disposal. There was a great need for different goldsmiths to value the items, as each could value items differently from one another, fashions changed and so might the value of the items with it, and also as a collective they might be able to spot any counterfeit jewels/stones etc. 

Signature of Sir Edward Carey, Master of the Jewels for Queen Elizabeth I. Image Copyright to the British Library. Stowe MS 566.

He would have looked after an impressive collection of jewels on behalf of the queen. Imagine the items he would have seen, and even perhaps held. What an exciting job he had...