The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of conflicts fought between the First French Empire under Napoleon (1804–1815), and a fluctuating array of European coalitions. The wars originated in political forces arising from the French Revolution (1789–1799) the war between Britain and France (1803-1814) and was considered the first truly global conflict, lasting just over 12 years, the number of French sailors and soldiers brought to England as Prisoners of War was estimated to be in the region of 120,000.
The Jewels were made by Freemasons amongst French prisoners of war, they were made from scrap items found around the camps and would be sold to pay for food and clothing, materials used included bone, straw, human hair, paper and wood.
Although the existence of Masonic activity in PoW camps is well documented there is unfortunately a lack of documentation linking the makers of the jewels to the camps. It is understood that in the eight land camps in England there was five Lodges and thirty-two Lodges in the parole towns (Towns in England where officers were given parole and allowed to live)
This Jewel has a gilt shaped border surrounding a blue glass centre applied in mother of pearl and gilt wire displaying a number of Masonic emblems.
