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Sceptre
Elizabeth I holding her sceptre
Grave field in winter
Length: 58.300 cm (whetstone)
Width: 5.100 cm (whetstone)
Diameter: 10.700 cm (ring)
Length: 58.300 cm (whetstone)
Height: 8.800 cm (pedestal)
Gift of Mrs E.M. Pretty
M&ME 1939,10-10,160;M&ME 1939,10-10,205
Room 41: Europe AD 300-1100
Sutton Hoo
Sceptre
A sceptre is held by a king or queen on special occasions to show that they are royal. This has been the case for hundreds of years, and still happens today in many countries. Queen Elizabeth II held three different sceptres at her coronation.
The person buried at Sutton Hoo had a huge, very heavy sceptre. The main part of it is made of stone - actually a big whetstone, used to sharpen swords on. Maybe this is meant to show that his sword was always sharp. A stag, the king of the forest, is on the top.