Crowning Wisdom: Hungary

Szent Korona, the Crown of Saint Stephen and the the 'Holy Crown' all desribe the centrepiece of the Hungarian crown jewels. One of the oldest in Europe, and one about which much has been written, this crown looks rather Byzantine in style, and has those peculiar golden chains hanging about its sides, a décor unknown in Western regalia. Its most peculiar feature is a crooked cross which sits on the top (one which my little model downplays). It likely happened by accident when it was put away carelessly in 1444, no-one attempting to rectify it in the meantime. To a protestant, this seems apt imagery for a crown and kingdom which had been dedicated to the Virgin Mary, rather than King Jesus whose servant, as well as mother, she was.  

It was last used in 1916 to crown the last Austro-Hungarian monarch before the institution's abolition two years later, but it was confiscated by the U.S. 86th Infantry Division at Mattsee, Austria, in 1945, with the support of its guard, who did not wish to see it fall into Soviet hands. In 1978, despite protests, President Carter returned it to its rightful nation, as a goodwill gesture but with conditions that it belonged to the people rather than Communist Party. “The symbol of freedom does not belong to tyranny”, proclaimed one of the protestors’ banners at Washington as the State Department negotiated the repatriation. I suspect that very few who lived under the long years of Hungarian monarchy would have considered this crown a symbol of freedom and liberty, but it was certainly antithetical to everything that Communism stood for: monarchy, privilege, Christianity and beauty. Even today, the cross of Christ, which was originally a grim picture of death and torture, is symbolic of freedom, resurrection, redemption and mercy. He who hung upon it wore a twisted crown of thorns so that we who believe in Him might wear His glory and share His splendour. 

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4

A  D