3-011-637 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Loan Collection, South-Kensington, 1862. 'Oliver Cromwell's watch. This watch was made about 1625. The maker, John Midnall, in Fleet-street, was on the Court of the Clock-makers' Company in 1631, warden in 1635, and died about 1638. The watch is a plain silver one, in a double case, of an egg-shaped form, flattened on the sides, with a circular glazed aperture in the outer case to show the silver dial-plate. It is attached by three short silver curb-chains to a email plate, on which the anus are engraved. To this plate are attached four short chains of a similar make for seals...The crest of the Cromwell family was a demi-lion holding a ring in the paw. But the Protector changed the ring for a handle of a tilting spear, as seen on the banner used at his funeral. This, with the initials, identifies it as the crest of Oliver Cromwell, and also the coat of arms. There is every reason to suppose, from the appearance of the relic, that it was used by Cromwell from 1625 until his death in 1658. Lady Fellowes'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.