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Show Henry III Introduced Custom of Presenting Gifts to the Emperor The Roman custom of making gifts to the emperor on New Year's was introduced into England during the time of Henry III. It is said that Queen Elizabeth supplied herself with jewels and wardrobes almost entirely from these gifts. English nobility followed the custom cus-tom of sending to the king a purse with gold in it until the 17th century. Under the Tudors and the Stuarts it became proper for all classes to give presents to friends with the wish that the New Year would be filled with prosperity. Ladies received gifts of pins or gloves, both then quite expensive, and it was from this custom that the term "pin money" originated. |