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Mosan armilla, enamelled gilt-copper, 1170s, now Germanisches Nationalmuseum. The pair in the Louvre is here
The Monomachus Crown, possibly an armilla

An armill or armilla (from the Latin: armillae remains the plural of armilla) is a type of medieval bracelet, or armlet, normally in metal and worn in pairs, one for each arm. They were usually worn as part of royal regalia, for example at a coronation, or perhaps as part of especially grand liturgical vestments. They may have been worn outside ceremonies. Armillae presumably descend from the Ancient Roman armilla, which was a form of military decoration.[1] These in turn seem to have developed from the armlets worn by some "barbarian" nations, including the ancient Celts and Scots. The form is variable; all three examples discussed below have completely different forms.

Medieval survivals are vanishingly rare; the most famous pair is now divided between the Louvre and the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg (illustrated), having once been in the Hermitage Museum. These were found in the tomb of Andrei Bogolyubsky, Grand prince of Vladimir-Suzdal (d. 1174), in Vladimir, and may have been gifts from Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (r. 1152–90), who received an embassy from the grand-prince in 1165. They are high-quality Mosan work in champlevé enamel on gilded copper, showing the Resurrection of Jesus (Louvre) and Crucifixion (Nuremberg). They probably fitted onto the shoulder, or otherwise would only go part way round the limb, and have holes (six in the Louvre's example) by which they were presumably attached to thongs or bands, or sewn to the clothing below. It is thought they were made for wear by the emperor himself.[2]

A similar pair were drawn sometime before 1765, and described in a book published in 1790. They were then in the Imperial Treasury in Nuremberg, complete with their thongs for attachment, but they have since disappeared. These had scenes of the Nativity of Jesus and the Presentation in the Temple.[3]

It has recently been suggested that the enamelled plates from the Monomachus Crown in Budapest showing, but probably not made for, the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, r. 1042–1055, may in fact come from an armilla rather than a crown, as is normally assumed. These are gold plates, decorated with cloisonné enamel, but despite the lavish materials the workmanship is far from perfect, and the inscriptions contain simple errors; they were perhaps commissioned in a hurry for a special occasion. They were found in 1860 in a field in what is now Slovakia.[4]

The oldest surviving in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, where they are usually called armills, are those of King Charles II, and the newest were created for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The Elizabeth II Armills were presented to the Queen by the governments of various Commonwealth nations and are single-piece round bracelets made of 22 carat gold lined with crimson velvet, with a concealed hinge and spring catch. Most British monarchs have not worn armills when crowned though the original Charles II ones were presented to King Charles III at his coronation in Westminster Abbey in 2023.[5]

The term "armilla" is used in the English Liber Regalis (probably 1382) to describe a stole, like the Byzantine imperial loros, but this is thought to be a confusion as to the meaning of the word.[6]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Coronation Service
  2. ^ Louvre website; armilla; Lasko, 218–19; The Year 1200, #174 (the Louvre one)
  3. ^ Lasko, 218
  4. ^ Dawson, Timothy. The Monomachos Crown – Towards a Resolution. (Archived 2015-03-02 at the Wayback Machine). Byzantina Symmeikta, Athen 2009.
  5. ^ The Royal Collection. Under the velvet lining they are inscribed "Presented for the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Ceylon and Southern Rhodesia."
  6. ^ Ratcliffe, (1953)

General and cited references

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Armill

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The armills are a pair of bracelets that form part of the used in British coronations, placed on the wrists of the during the to symbolize and as well as the protection. They derive their name from the Latin armilla, originally referring to armlets or bracelets worn as elements of early medieval armor. The current set, crafted in 22-carat and featuring chased foliated scroll designs, was commissioned in 1953 as a gift from countries for Queen Elizabeth II's , replacing an earlier pair made in 1661 for King Charles II. These 1661 armills were used at every coronation from that of Charles II until that of in 1937. For King Charles III's 2023 , the 1661 armills were revived in a return to , underscoring their enduring in representing virtues of knighthood, , and royal .

Definition and Characteristics

Physical Description

Armills are paired gold bracelets worn on the wrists of the during British coronation ceremonies. They are oval hinged bracelets, adjustable to fit. The 1661 armills, made for King Charles II, are decorated in champlevé and basse-taille enamel with national emblems including roses, thistles, fleurs-de-lis, and harps, bordered in blue enamel and lined with red . The 1953 armills, commissioned for Queen Elizabeth II, feature chased foliated scroll designs and are lined in .

Materials and Construction

Armills for British coronations are constructed from high-value , typically 22-carat purity with alloys for strength. Fabrication involves shaping into oval bands with invisible hinges for closure. Surface decoration includes chasing for the 1953 pair and champlevé enamel for the 1661 pair, where cells are etched, filled with colored glass, and fired. These techniques ensure lightweight, durable items suitable for use, with linings for comfort.

Historical Context

Ancient Origins

The origins of armills trace back to , where Celtic and Germanic warriors wore torque-style armlets as markers of high status and martial prowess. These rigid bands, often crafted from wires or solid , , or iron, were affixed to the upper arms to signify elite rank among chieftains and fighters, distinguishing them in battle and society. , a 1st-century BCE historian, described Gallic warriors adorning their arms with such heavy bracelets alongside neck torques, emphasizing their role in displaying wealth and authority derived from raids or craftsmanship. Archaeological evidence from sites across , including hoards in modern-day and dating to around 500 BCE, confirms these armlets as integral to warrior identity, with elaborate twisting techniques symbolizing continuity from traditions. In , armillae evolved into formalized military decorations known as donum militare, awarded to legionaries and for acts of gallantry in combat. The earliest documented instances appear in the 3rd century BCE, with recording awards of golden armillae to soldiers during the for exceptional bravery, marking a shift toward state-sanctioned honors rather than personal adornment. These armbands, typically broad cuffs or coiled bands of gold, silver, or bronze, were presented to non-commissioned officers and common troops below rank, serving both as symbols of valor and incentives for loyalty. By the late , such awards had become standardized, with historical accounts noting their distribution in campaigns against and other foes. The transition from functional arm protection to purely ornamental status symbols is evident in 1st-century CE archaeological finds across the , where twisted wire designs on armillae reflect both practical durability and aesthetic elaboration. Excavations at sites like those in reveal penannular bracelets with intricate wire coiling, blending Celtic influences with Roman military motifs to commemorate service. These designs, often weighing several ounces and featuring linear or cable patterns, transitioned armillae into prestige items worn off-duty.

Medieval Adoption

By the , armills had become integrated into both royal and liturgical contexts across , appearing in ordination rites for bishops as documented in medieval pontificals derived from the Roman tradition. The Pontificale Romanum formalized their use in episcopal consecrations, where they were presented with the formula "Accipe armillas sinceritatis et sapientiae" to denote sincerity and wisdom, often fashioned as gold bracelets or stole-like bands placed on the arms during the vesting ceremony. In royal , such as those in from the third of the coronation order onward, armills complemented other like rings and scepters, underscoring the monarch's divine mandate. The spread of armills extended regionally, following the of , where armills gained prominence in English , evolving from Anglo-Saxon precedents into a fixed element of the rite as seen in the third of the English coronation order, where they were draped like a stole and fastened at the elbows. German rites, including that of Otto I in the 10th century, similarly incorporated Byzantine-derived armills, reflecting their diffusion through imperial and feudal networks. By the , after the , the prominence of armills waned in many traditions, gradually replaced by integrated sleeves or stoles within the and , as practices shifted emphasis toward , crowns, and orbs amid changing liturgical and fashion norms. This evolution is illustrated in 14th-century depictions, such as the Coronation Book of , where armills appear but signal a transitional role in the ensemble.

Notable Examples and Artifacts

European Continental Examples

One of the most prominent surviving examples of continental European armills are the paired Mosan pieces dating to circa 1170–1180, originating from the Rhine-Meuse region and associated with the of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky (died 1174) in . These shell-shaped ceremonial armlets, worn at the shoulder, exemplify Romanesque metalwork with their gilded copper construction and champlevé enamel decoration (partially in places). The Louvre's example (inventory OA 8261) depicts the of Christ, with the haloed figure emerging from a flanked by two sleeping guards and two angels, framed by a trilobed border and six fixing holes for attachment. Its pendant, illustrating the of Christ, is held in the in and shares the same Mosan-Rhenish style, likely produced in the circle of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (r. 1152–1190), possibly as diplomatic gifts to Bogolyubsky. Both pieces highlight the technical sophistication of 12th-century enamelwork, blending biblical with imperial patronage to convey themes of divine authority and resurrection. These artifacts, preserved in museum contexts like the and , illustrate the armill's role in as a bridge between liturgical ornament and princely display, distinct from British insular developments in their emphasis on enamel techniques and Eastern-inspired forms.

British Royal Examples

The armills have been documented as part of the British coronation investiture since the late , appearing in the Liber Regalis (c. 1382) as symbolic bracelets placed on the monarch's wrists during the rite, though the term "armilla" in this manuscript sometimes refers to a stole-like garment instead. This early ritual emphasis underscores their enduring role in symbolizing sincerity and wisdom from the 17th century onward within the British . The oldest surviving pair of armills dates to 1661, commissioned for the of Charles II after the previous was destroyed or sold during the period (1649–1660). Crafted in by royal goldsmith Sir Robert Vyner, these oval hinged bracelets feature champlevé and basse-taille enamel decorations with national emblems, including roses and thistles, and are lined with white . They served as the standard armills in British coronations from Charles II through in 1937, with the exception of Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838, when she opted not to wear them; stored today in the at the alongside other . For the 1937 coronation of George VI, the 1661 armills were employed as the principal pair, continuing the tradition of using this historic set without noted modifications from prior reigns such as Edward VII's in 1902. These bracelets were presented during the investiture to represent the monarch's sincerity and wisdom, a practice rooted in the post-Restoration revival of coronation customs. A new pair of armills was created specifically for Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation, gifted by the governments of Commonwealth realms to replace the 1661 set and reflect modern imperial ties. Made of 22-carat gold by Garrard & Co., they are chased with foliated scrolls and pellets, fitted with an invisible hinge and Tudor rose clasps accented by diamonds and seed pearls, and lined in red velvet for comfort during the ceremony. These armills were worn by the Queen during her investiture at Westminster Abbey, marking a departure from merely presenting the older pair in previous rituals. The 1661 armills were revived for King Charles III's coronation on 6 May 2023, placed on the sovereign's wrists during the investiture to symbolize sincerity and wisdom as well as the Lord's protection.

Symbolism and Cultural Role

Ceremonial Significance

In the investiture phase of coronation ceremonies, armills are placed on the sovereign's wrists immediately following the anointing with holy oil, marking the ritual conferral of authority and echoing Byzantine-derived traditions where such adornments signified imperial investiture. This procedural step underscores the transition from consecration to empowerment, with the armills temporarily worn before being removed after vesting in the robe royal. Within the English coronation rite, armills constitute the third regalia item presented, succeeding the golden spurs—symbolizing —and the jewelled Sword of Offering, which represents and , as prescribed in the 1308 Liber Regalis for Edward II's . The receives the armills from the , places them on the monarch's arms while intoning a such as "Receive the Bracelets of and , both for tokens of the Lord's protection embracing you on every side; and as you do keep them inviolate, so may they be evermore your defence," and then sets them aside post-vesting to proceed with further symbols like and sceptres. Armills have featured prominently in English coronations since the medieval era, appearing in and fourth recensions of the rite and used in every ceremony from Charles II's restoration in 1661 through George VI's in 1937, with a new set crafted for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. The tradition continued at King Charles III's coronation in 2023, where the 1661 armills were used. While integrated into Protestant adaptations after 1547—such as those for and subsequent monarchs—some rites omitted them amid liturgical simplifications aligned with reformed practices, though they were retained in the majority of subsequent services to maintain continuity with pre-Reformation traditions. In Catholic episcopal ordinations from the onward, armills served a parallel function, worn by newly consecrated bishops to denote the embrace of their flock, as detailed in medieval liturgical rubrics that emphasized with symbols of care and authority during the consecration prayer. This usage paralleled protocols, highlighting the shared investitive elements across royal and ecclesiastical rites in .

Symbolic Interpretations

In medieval Christian contexts, armills were imbued with theological significance, symbolizing and as virtues essential for rulers under divine guidance. During coronation rites, they represent the Lord's protection over the , providing strength and constancy to uphold oaths of service and . This interpretation aligns with broader 13th-century views on regalia as emblems of spiritual and , though specific attributions to figures like remain unverified in primary texts. As royal symbols, armills evoke martial strength and divine favor, tracing back to their Roman origins as military decorations awarded for exceptional valor (), denoting courage and excellence in battle. Medieval chronicles adapted this pagan connotation, portraying armills as badges of imperial authority blessed by Christian providence, linking the wearer's prowess to God's endorsement of just rule. In European monarchies, they underscored the sovereign's role as a defender of the , blending classical heroism with sacred kingship. Regarding gender and status, armills traditionally carried masculine associations in military settings, awarded to male soldiers in to signify manly virtue and battlefield honor. However, in royal ceremonies, they became , adorning both kings and to affirm sovereign authority irrespective of ; rare examples for female rulers, such as those used in Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation, symbolized queenship as an extension of and divine legitimacy. This evolution highlights their role in denoting elite status across genders within monarchical traditions. In modern interpretations, particularly within and , armills signify the continuity of monarchical traditions and the enduring bond between ruler and subjects. 20th- and 21st-century commentaries, such as those surrounding Elizabeth II's and III's in 2023, emphasized their role in evoking historical legitimacy and communal unity, often depicted on medals and coins to illustrate unbroken royal heritage. This usage reinforces armills as timeless markers of institutional stability in contemporary royal symbolism.

References

  1. https://www.royal.uk/coronation-regalia
  2. https://www.juraster.com/blogs/hiddengems/british-crown-jewels-coronation-regalia-the-complete-list
  3. https://www.rct.uk/collection/31724/queen-elizabeth-iis-armills
  4. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a43674466/coronation-crown-jewels-spoon-maces-swords-staff-explained/
  5. https://www.coronationroll.gov.uk/further_info/the-armills/
  6. https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/5B*.html
  7. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41539413
  8. https://www.instrumentum-europe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/crummy2005.pdf
  9. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/59634/59634-h/59634-h.htm
  10. https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010117266
  11. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095424495
  12. https://www.rct.uk/collection/stories/the-crown-jewels/the-regalia-of-charles-ii
  13. https://www.rct.uk/collection/31723/the-armills
  14. https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/the-crown-jewels/
  15. https://www.rct.uk/collection/stories/the-crown-jewels/queen-elizabeth-iis-armills
  16. https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/order-of-service-for-the-coronation-of-the-english-british-monarch/
  17. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/coronation-history/
  18. http://www.oremus.org/liturgy/coronation/cor1953b.html
  19. https://www.academia.edu/9550028/J_Linderski_Silver_and_Gold_of_Valor_The_Award_of_Armillae_and_Torques_2001_with_addenda_RQ_II_2007
  20. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/5-may/features/features/coronation-rite-imbued-with-ancient-symbolism
  21. https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2021/06/the-queens-coronation-armills.html
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