UNE has unveiled four significant portraits on loan from a local Armidale family, the Vyners, direct descendants of the goldsmith commissioned in 1661 to make the crown recently worn by King Charles III at his Coronation.
The goldsmith Sir Robert Vyner, who is the subject of one of these portraits, was a friend and confidant of King Charles II while working as the royal family’s banker.
“When King Charles II arrived back in England penniless from his exile in Europe, it was realised that every single item of the ancient royal regalia of England was either pawned by Charles I during the Civil War or broken up and sold by the Cromwell Government,” said Richard Vyner, who has loaned the paintings to UNE.
When King Charles II arrived back in England penniless from his exile in Europe, it was realised that every single item of the ancient royal regalia of England was either pawned by Charles I during the Civil War or broken up and sold by the Cromwell Government...Charles II commissioned Sir Vyner to make an entire new set of regalia, including the St Edward’s crown in 1661.
“Charles II commissioned Sir Vyner to make an entire new set of regalia, including the St Edward’s crown in 1661.”
When Sir Robert Vyner became Lord Mayor of London in 1674, he was at the peak of his fortunes as one of the richest and most powerful citizens London had ever known.
However, Mr Richard Vyner said, Sir Robert was owed over 400,000 golden guineas (about $10 million in present-day money) but was never paid by the monarch, leading him to become the first person to be declared officially bankrupt in British history, according to family lore.
In 1951, Queen Elizabeth II became the second royal to wear St Edward’s crown, after King Charles II. This makes King Charles III the third monarch to wear the significant piece of regalia.
University of New England (UNE) Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Evans said he was pleased to host the portraits in the Booloominbah to give the whole community access to the historic artworks
“I am grateful to the Vyner family for lending us these priceless family heirlooms and making them available to the UNE community and to the wider Armidale community,” Professor Evans said.
“UNE hold a significant collection of historic artefacts and I am pleased to show the Vyner portraits alongside the collection. I welcome the community to view the portraits over the coming months.”
These portraits, alongside other family artefacts, will be exhibited in the Booloominbah Foyer for the community to view from Thursday, May 11, between 12pm-1pm weekdays or as part of the Armidale Heritage Bus Tour.
