Jane was living in Bath when she and Cassandra received a gift of topaz crosses. Their youngest brother Charles was born four years after Jane and joined the Navy like his brother Frances. He was away at sea for months at a time, as England was at war with France for most of Jane’s life.
In a letter Jane wrote to Cassandra dated 26-27 May 1801, she tells Cassandra that she has been ‘to the very top of Kingsdown and had a very pleasant drive, – one pleasure succeeds another rapidly.’
Upon her return home to Sydney Terrace, two letters were waiting for Jane on the hall table. In the letter from Charles he shared the news that he had received a reward for capturing an enemy privateer and wanted to share his good fortune.
The other letter was from Cassandra, and when Jane replied to her she told her excitedly of his gift.
He had received £30 for his share of the privateer and expects £10 more -but of what avail is it to take prizes if he lays out the produce in presents to his Sisters. He has been buying Gold chains and Topaze Crosses for us; -he must be well scolded.
Although Charles mentions in the letter about buying gold chains with the crosses, they were sent without the chains as you see them below. Jane’s cross is the one on the left.
Jane was so touched by the gift from Charles that she wrote it into her novel Mansfield Park ten years later. Fanny’s brother William is a Navy midshipman, and he gives Fanny a very pretty amber cross which he bought from Sicily.
Wearing crosses was fashionable at the time as this engraving shows. By Georges Jacques Gatine dated 1818, you can find it in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.
After Jane’s death, Cassandra gave Jane’s cross to Martha Lloyd, their dear friend, and afterwards it made its way back to Charles Austen’s family.
Where can I see Jane’s topaz cross?
You can see both topaz crosses when you visit the Jane Austen’s House Museum at Chawton. They are permanently on display with Jane’s ring and bracelet.
In the new exhibition rooms for Jane Austen 250 in 2025, the crosses are presented in a beautiful upright glass case with chains, so worth going to see. It’s lovely to think that Jane wore her cross and treasured it all her life, and Martha no doubt did the same.
Want to wear a topaz cross like Jane’s?
I bought mine from Bath which you can see below, which is quite beautiful. You can also buy one from the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton.
Lovely links:
Read the review of Jane Austen The Art of Cassandra exhibition and see the topaz crosses presented with their gold chains.
Read Jane Austen’s letter about her Topaz Cross on the Jane Austen House Museum website.
See the topaz crosses at Jane Austen’s House Museum and buy yours from the Jane Austen House Museum Shop or the Jane Austen Centre Bath Shop.
