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© 2004 - 2024 Paul Copleston
The Grace Cup
JOHANNES COPLESTON COLL : REGAL : PROEPOS 1683
Ex dono Serenissin Regis Caroli Secundi
So says the inscription around the Grace Cup given to John Copleston, provost of King’s College, Cambridge and Vice-Chancellor of the University in 1683.
John would himself have had the engraving of the inscription made. The cup was made in 1616 and may have been a travelling cup used by Charles II and his forbears.
Harrod’s of London had replicas made of the cup which made beautiful Royal Wedding souvenirs in 1981. The wedding being that of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
The replicas were Silver plated and were on sale at £85 per piece.
The Original is at Goldsmith’s Hall.
It was in 1681 when Charles II and his Queen visited Cambridge University, Dr Copleston made two speeches to their majesties according to Luttrell’s Diary and we know that in 1683 as Justice of the Piece John signed a warrant on one of the Rye House Plotters, who was later beheaded. His sermons were most loyal to the King and there is no doubt of his leanings, whereas his removed cousin, Sir John Copleston had been knighted by Oliver Cromwell 1st June 1655.