 The Stone of Destiny, also commonly known as the Stone of Scone (pronounced 'skoon') or the Coronation Stone is an oblong block of red sandstone, about 26 inches (660 mm) by 16 inches (410 mm) by 10.5 inches (270 mm). The top bears chisel-marks and at each end of the stone is an iron ring to make transportation easier. At first sight, it is difficult to understand why this plain and rather unremarkable block of sandstone has fired the passion that it has over the past 700 years. Yet the power and importance of the Stone (also known as the Stone of Scone) far outstrips its physical appearance. It is arguably the greatest symbol and touchstone of Scottish nationhood and as such, has been a very potent icon for more than a thousand years.
The Stone has only one inscription, best described as a Latin cross, which gives no clue to the Stones heritage. It allegedly originates from the Middle East and was subsequently brought to Scotland, arriving here around 850 AD. The Stones history, however, stretches back to biblical times when Jacob is said to have used the Stone as a pillow. The Stone was then shipped through Egypt, Sicily, Spain and Ireland before, as said, arriving in Scotland.
Some evidence points to the fact that the Stone was used at Iona, Dunadd, Dunstaffnage and Scone for enthroning a succession of Dalriadic and subsequent monarchs. In 1292 John Balliol became the last king to use the Stone in Scotland as it was captured by Edward I of England in 1296, taken south alongside other important relics of nationhood and placed in Westminster Abbey. There it remained for the next 700 years, a part of the throne of Edward the Confessor on which all new sovereigns sit during their coronation. The last time it was used was at the coronation of HM The Queen in 1953.
Again some doubt exists over the stone captured by Edward I. The Westminster Stone theory posits that the monks at Scone Palace hid the real stone in the River Tay or buried it on Dunsinane Hill, and that the English troops were fooled into taking a substitute. Some proponents of the theory claim that historic descriptions of the stone do not match the present stone. If the monks did hide the stone, they hid it well; no other stone fitting its description has ever been found.
In 1328, in the peace talks between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England, Edward III is said to have agreed to return the captured Stone to Scotland. In the end this never happened and the Stone was to remain in England for another six centuries. In the course of time James VI of Scotland came to the English throne as James I of England but the stone remained in London; for the next century, the Stuart Kings and Queens of Scotland once again sat on the stone — but at their coronation as Kings and Queens of England. Since the Act of Union 1707, the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey has applied to the whole of Great Britain, and since the Act of Union 1801 to the United Kingdom, so the stone may be said to have returned, once again, to its ancient use.
On Christmas day 1950 the Stone was taken from Westminster Abbey by a group of Scottish Nationalists (Ian Hamilton, Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson and Alan Stuart) and subsequently went 'missing.' A major search for the stone was ordered by the British Government, but this proved unsuccessful. The stone's custodians left their 'bounty' on the altar of Arbroath Abbey, on 11 April 1951, in the safekeeping of the Church of Scotland. Once the London police were informed of its whereabouts, the Stone was returned to Westminster. Afterwards, rumours circulated that copies had been made of the Stone, and that the returned Stone was not in fact the original.
On St Andrews Day, 30 November 1996, the Stone of Destiny returned north of the border and amid much pomp and ceremony, was installed in Edinburgh Castle, taking its place alongside those other symbols of national identity, the Honours of Scotland. About 10,000 people lined the Royal Mile to watch the procession of dignitaries and troops escort the stone from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the castle. In a service at St Giles cathedral, the Church of Scotland Moderator, the Right Reverend John MacIndoe, formally accepted the Stone's return, saying it would 'strengthen the proud distinctiveness of the people of Scotland'.
In June 2008 Edinburgh Film Festival premiered Stone of Destiny (Charles Martin Smith / United Kingdom, Canada / 2008 / 96 mins) starring Charlie Cox, Kate Mara, Robert Carlyle, Billy Boyd, Stephen McCole and Ciaron Kelly. The film description reads
"With breezy confidence and Ealingesque charm, this long-awaited feature recounts the notorious 1950 theft of the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey. Charlie Cox plays fiery student Ian Hamilton, whose reckless determination fuelled the ultimate symbolic gesture for Scottish independence (and on whose memoirs the script is based). Co-starring Billy Boyd, Stephen McCole, Robert Carlyle and Kate Mara, this rousing adventure yarn cements a modern Scottish legend."
Why not visit The Stone of Destiny? It's in Edinburgh Castle. Here's the website http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/tour/highlights/highlights-stone-of-destiny.htm |
|