Crowning Wisdom: Heavy the Head

“Deny it to a king? Then happy low, lie down!

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”

In Act III, Scene I, King Henry IV

The idiom ‘Heavy is the head that wears the crown’ is said to come from the above quoted passage of Shakespeare. It indicates that the one who has power and privilege is also weighed down by the responsibility and difficulty that wielding such power attracts.

Queen Victoria asked for a small crown to be made for her as the Imperial State Crown (left) she found too heavy. In response, Garrard and Co, the royal jewellers, constructed the little diamond crown with which she is most associated, a model of which I also have in my study (centre). Although weighing a mere 160 grams, the responsibilities of Queen and Empress hardly diminished.

We Christians are promised a crown to wear, but also the strength and grace with which to live in the meantime. As our days, so our strength; as our griefs, so His grace.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9a, NKJV