What is Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom?
:''About the Crown Jewels of England, and those added since the Union of the Crowns in 1603'' [[Image:EnglishCoronationRegalia2.jpg|thumb|Coronation Chair and Regalia of England]] The collective term '''Crown Jewels''' denotes the regalia and vestments worn by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|sovereign of the United Kingdom]] during the [[coronation]] ceremony and at other state functions. The term refers to the following objects: the [[crown]]s, [[sceptre]]s (with either the cross or the [[dove]]), [[orb]]s, [[sword]]s, [[Ring|rings]], [[spur]]s, the royal [[robe]] or pall, and several other objects connected with the ceremony.<ref>[http://www.royal.gov.uk/The%20Royal%20Collection%20and%20other%20collections/TheCrownJewels/Overview.aspx Official Royal Family website: the Crown Jewels]</ref> Many of these descend directly from the pre-[[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] period and have a religious and sacral connotation. == The effect of the English civil war == [[Image:Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Cooper.jpg|230px|right|thumb|Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England from 1653 to 1658, who ordered the abolition of the monarchy and the sale of the crown jewels.]] After the death of James I, [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] came to the [[throne]]. His many conflicts with [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|parliament]], stemmed from his belief in the [[divine right of kings]]. The many [[Charles I of England#Religious conflicts|religious conflicts]] in his reign triggered the [[English Civil War]]. After six years of war, Charles was defeated and executed by the parliamentarians. [[Oliver Cromwell]] became the [[Lord Protector]] of England and, less than a week after the king's execution, the monarchy was abolished. The newly created English Republic found itself in a desperate financial state after the war. To raise funds the 'Act for the sale of the personal estate of the King,Queen and Prince' was put forward. Trustees were appointed to value the jewels and sell them to the highest bidder.<ref>MacGre