| The Imperial Crown of Ethiopia, a cylindrical
circlet of gold, embellished with rubies, sapphires, diamonds and
pearls, surmounted by a cross, and with a representation of St George
slaying the dragon on its front. St George was one of the patron saints
of Ethiopia, and imbued with great significance after the defeat of the
Italians at the battle of Adwa on his feast day in 1896. On his
appointment to the Order of the Garter in 1954 the Emperor at first
asked that he be allotted two stalls in St George’s Chapel, one for him
as Emperor of Ethiopia, and the other for him as The Conquering Lion of
the Tribe of Judah. A compromise was reached and he accepted one stall
but with the banner hanging above it having different devices on either
side to represent his dual status. |
