at another, he had gold rings and brooches purchased to the value
of six hundred marks. The shrine was of gold, and, according to
Matthew Paris, enriched with jewels. It was commenced in 1241.
In 1244 the queen presented an image of the Virgin with a ruby
and an emerald. Jewels were purchased from time to time,--a great
cameo in 1251, and in 1255 many gems of great value. The son of
ado the Goldsmith, Edward, was the "king's beloved clerk," and was
made "keeper of the shrine." Most of the little statuettes were
described as having stones set somewhere about them: "an image of
St. Peter holding a church in one hand and the keys in the other,
trampling on Nero, who had a big sapphire on his breast;" and "the
Blessed Virgin with her Son, set with rubies, sapphires, emeralds,
and garnets," are among those cited. The whole shrine was described
as "a basilica adorned with purest gold and precious stones."

Odo the Goldsmith was in charge of the works for a good while. He
was succeeded by his son Edward. Payments were made sometimes in a
regular wage, and sometimes for "task work." The workmen were usually
known by one name--Master Alexander the King's Carpenter, Master Henry
the King's Master Mason, and so forth. In an early life of Edward the
Confessor, there is an illumination showing the masons and carpenters
kneeling to receive instruction from their sovereign.

The golden shrine of the Confessor was probably made in the Palace
itself; this was doubtless considered the safest place for so valuable
a work to remain in process of construction; for there is an allusion
to its being brought on the King's own shoulders (with the assistance
of others), from the palace to the Abbey, in 1269, for its consecration.

In 1243 Henry III. ordered four silver basins, fitted with cakes