Hoop crown
Encyclopedia
A hoop crown is a crown
consisting of a "band
around the temples and one or two bands over the head". First used by the Carolingian dynasty, hoop crowns became increasingly popular among royal dynasties in the Late Middle Ages
, and the dominant type of crown in the Modern Era.
from the Merovingian dynasty
in early medieval
Europe
. However their use dates back to the end of the Roman Empire
and the Byzantine Empire
. The Carolingian hoop crown was most probably derived from the contemporary Germanic hoop helmet . The oldest such crown is the Crown of Saint Faith in Conques
, worn either by Pepin I (797–838)
or Pepin II (823–864)
of Aquitaine
. Other Carolingians known to have worn hoop crowns are Louis II "the German"
(806–876), Charles II "the Bald"
(823–877) and Odo of Vermandois (910–946). Charlemagne
(742–814) possibly wore a hoop crown, although the bad shape of the respective contemporary portraits, especially on bulls
, does not allow to assert this with certainty. Sometimes, the Carolingian hoop crowns were combined with a cap, worn beneath.
Though hoop crowns were characteristic for Carolingian kings, there were several other types of crowns worn by the members of this dynasty. For example, Charlemagne also wore a crown shaped like a collar with an attachment on the front side. The features most Carolingian crowns had in common were "cap or bands over the head, edge-bands, and pendilia
". Some of the Carolingian crowns were imitations of contemporary Byzantine Imperial
crowns, which had the shape of a closed cap (kamelaukion). In turn, Byzantine Emperor Justinian I "the Great"
(483–565) had hoops attached to his crown to carry a cross above it, creating the prototype of later hoop crowns.
Hoop crowns became popular in late medieval
Europe. The Holy Roman
Imperial crown
was a hoop crown. Norman
king William the Conqueror wore a hoop crown, and in the 12th century, the kings of Hungary
amended their collar with two hoops. In both cases, the intent of adopting a hoop crown was to not stand back behind the Holy Roman Emperor
. William's crown was modelled after the crown of emperor Otto I
and similarly decorated with twelve types of gems. In addition, William had sceptre
and virga
created, resembling the imperial insignia
.
However, not all late medieval crowns had hoops. For example, the 15th-century kings of France
wore crowns of the lilly type, a collar decorated with four lillies. The hoop crown became the prevalent type of crown in the Early Modern Age.
Crown (headgear)
A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honour and glory of life after death. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to...
consisting of a "band
Circlet
A circlet is a crown with neither arches nor a cap ....
around the temples and one or two bands over the head". First used by the Carolingian dynasty, hoop crowns became increasingly popular among royal dynasties in the Late Middle Ages
Late Middle Ages
The Late Middle Ages was the period of European history generally comprising the 14th to the 16th century . The Late Middle Ages followed the High Middle Ages and preceded the onset of the early modern era ....
, and the dominant type of crown in the Modern Era.
Origins
Hoop crowns were introduced to Germanic Europe by the Carolingian dynasty, who usurped the throne of the Frankish EmpireFrankish Empire
Francia or Frankia, later also called the Frankish Empire , Frankish Kingdom , Frankish Realm or occasionally Frankland, was the territory inhabited and ruled by the Franks from the 3rd to the 10th century...
from the Merovingian dynasty
Merovingian dynasty
The Merovingians were a Salian Frankish dynasty that came to rule the Franks in a region largely corresponding to ancient Gaul from the middle of the 5th century. Their politics involved frequent civil warfare among branches of the family...
in early medieval
Early Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages was the period of European history lasting from the 5th century to approximately 1000. The Early Middle Ages followed the decline of the Western Roman Empire and preceded the High Middle Ages...
Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. However their use dates back to the end of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
. The Carolingian hoop crown was most probably derived from the contemporary Germanic hoop helmet . The oldest such crown is the Crown of Saint Faith in Conques
Conques
Conques is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Geography:The village is located at the confluence of the Dourdou and Ouche rivers. It is built on a hillside and has classic narrow Medieval streets. As a result, large vehicles cannot enter the historic town centre but must...
, worn either by Pepin I (797–838)
Pepin I of Aquitaine
Pepin I was King of Aquitaine.-Biography:He was the second son of Emperor Louis the Pious and his first wife, Ermengarde of Hesbaye....
or Pepin II (823–864)
Pepin II of Aquitaine
Pepin II, called the Younger , was King of Aquitaine from 838 as the successor upon the death of his father, Pepin I. Pepin II was eldest son of Pepin I and Ingeltrude, daughter of Theodobert, count of Madrie...
of Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
. Other Carolingians known to have worn hoop crowns are Louis II "the German"
Louis the German
Louis the German , also known as Louis II or Louis the Bavarian, was a grandson of Charlemagne and the third son of the succeeding Frankish Emperor Louis the Pious and his first wife, Ermengarde of Hesbaye.He received the appellation 'Germanicus' shortly after his death in recognition of the fact...
(806–876), Charles II "the Bald"
Charles the Bald
Charles the Bald , Holy Roman Emperor and King of West Francia , was the youngest son of the Emperor Louis the Pious by his second wife Judith.-Struggle against his brothers:He was born on 13 June 823 in Frankfurt, when his elder...
(823–877) and Odo of Vermandois (910–946). Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
(742–814) possibly wore a hoop crown, although the bad shape of the respective contemporary portraits, especially on bulls
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
, does not allow to assert this with certainty. Sometimes, the Carolingian hoop crowns were combined with a cap, worn beneath.
Though hoop crowns were characteristic for Carolingian kings, there were several other types of crowns worn by the members of this dynasty. For example, Charlemagne also wore a crown shaped like a collar with an attachment on the front side. The features most Carolingian crowns had in common were "cap or bands over the head, edge-bands, and pendilia
Pendilia
Pendilia are pendant or dangling ornaments for a piece of metalwork such as a crown, votive crown, crux gemmata, or kamelaukion, and are a feature of Early Medieval goldsmith work...
". Some of the Carolingian crowns were imitations of contemporary Byzantine Imperial
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
crowns, which had the shape of a closed cap (kamelaukion). In turn, Byzantine Emperor Justinian I "the Great"
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
(483–565) had hoops attached to his crown to carry a cross above it, creating the prototype of later hoop crowns.
Spread
Late Middle Ages
The Late Middle Ages was the period of European history generally comprising the 14th to the 16th century . The Late Middle Ages followed the High Middle Ages and preceded the onset of the early modern era ....
Europe. The Holy Roman
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
Imperial crown
Imperial crown
An Imperial Crown is a crown used for the coronation of emperors.- Imperial Crowns with Mitre :-Legal usage:Throughout the Commonwealth Realms, The Crown is an abstract concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government...
was a hoop crown. Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
king William the Conqueror wore a hoop crown, and in the 12th century, the kings of Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
amended their collar with two hoops. In both cases, the intent of adopting a hoop crown was to not stand back behind the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
. William's crown was modelled after the crown of emperor Otto I
Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor
Otto I the Great , son of Henry I the Fowler and Matilda of Ringelheim, was Duke of Saxony, King of Germany, King of Italy, and "the first of the Germans to be called the emperor of Italy" according to Arnulf of Milan...
and similarly decorated with twelve types of gems. In addition, William had sceptre
Sceptre
A sceptre is a symbolic ornamental rod or wand borne in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of royal or imperial insignia.-Antiquity:...
and virga
Virga
In meteorology, virga is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation that falls from a cloud but evaporates before reaching the ground. At high altitudes the precipitation falls mainly as ice crystals before melting and finally evaporating; this is usually due to compressional heating, because...
created, resembling the imperial insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
.
However, not all late medieval crowns had hoops. For example, the 15th-century kings of France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
wore crowns of the lilly type, a collar decorated with four lillies. The hoop crown became the prevalent type of crown in the Early Modern Age.