On the eighth of August in the year 1296 Edward I, the 'bully boy' King of England, stole the 'Stone of Destiny' from Scone. This act of theft was a reflection of his imperialist greed which saw him attempt not only to make France part of the Kingdom of 'England,' but Wales and Scotland also! His invasion of Wales can be considered a success, although the massive castles built there show just how 'popular' he was, and Scotland, then as now, has never been reduced to a mere part of 'Greater England' in spite of the belief of some there that this is indeed the case.
There being no evidence of the origin of the stone it is natural that many legends arise. The daftest probably associates the stone as the one used by Jacob as a pillow (found in Gen 28:11 as you know) when he rested on his way to Paddan Aram. Somehow this great stone appears a little large for a pillow. Some claim Irish Gaels brought the stone with them when they came to Scotland, and that later this same stone was carried about by Columba as he preached his message. Quite why the Gaels needed to bring the large stone, unless it had some deep significance escapes me, Scotland having quite a lot of stone already. As for Columba carrying a stone weighing 24 stone (about 150 Kg) about with him, well, would you? Legends with no evidence are best put to one side while awaiting more information.
However around 847 Kenneth MacAlpin was crowned King of Scots on the stone! Note he was 'King of Scots' and not 'King of Scotland.' The Scots have always been a democratic people, and the land did not belong to the king, just the hearts of the people! Of course if he lost their hearts he may well democratically lose his head, but hey, all jobs have difficulties don't they? Since that time all Scots Kings were crowned on the small hill in front of Scone Abbey while sitting on the stone.
A small point here. The place name 'Scone' is pronounced 'Scoon,' while the scone you eat (yummy) is pronounced 'Scon.' Failure to notice this difference makes you English, and you wouldn't wish that on anyone would you?
Whatever the origins of the stone by removing it to Westminster Edward probably wanted people to believe he was 'King of Scotland.' How wrong he was! The great patriot William Wallace was the leader of many who stood against him until turncoats handed him over to the invader. Charging him with treason Edward reveals the false belief of 'owning' Scotland. Treason could only be charged against a citizen England, yet Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered for 'treason!' English barbarity is shown here, Scots guilty of treason would merely have lost their heads and no enjoyment of brutality was required.
The stone was placed under 'Prince Edwards Chair,' used in almost all coronations since, and remained there until John majors government, desperate for Scots votes, returned the stone to Edinburgh in 1996. The grateful Scots voted in a suitable manner and Scotland ceased to have any Conservative Members of Parliament! Naturally there are those stories claiming that monks hid the stone and the one we now possess is a mere copy. The 'hidden' stone has been well hidden, it has never been discovered, and in spite of the conspiracy theories we probably do know the whereabouts of the original.
Come Christmas Day 1950 four enterprising students did the decent thing and stole the stone from Westminster Abbey. After hiding it for a while, and after breaking it while removing it, it was returned to Scotland where it was repaired. Eventually however they decided to hand it back. Going to Arbroath Abbey they left it on the altar there and soon it was back in Westminster. I still say it ought never to have been returned! Of course stories claim this is not the original but a copy, oh yeah?
Now the 'Stone of Destiny' lies here in Edinburgh Castle, in Scotland's capital and where it belongs. Some say that if there is another coronation the stone will be returned to Westminster for the ceremony, personally whoever becomes the next King ought to be crowned in Edinburgh if they wish to be 'King of Scots.' That surely is the right way to do things.
Historic UK - the History of Scotland
4 comments:
Wow, you can flat write when you feel like it. Great account!!!
You think so?
Well, I've sobered up some since then, but it is still a great article.
Hi interesting site.
It was very very interesting articles in here, I will definitely return to read more.
I am very interested in things that have to do with history.
I have a site, I agree with much history ( Factasy The History site at the web ), especially the American civil war category, I think you should take you a look at
Post a Comment