Stone of Scone: Mysterious Stone Of Destiny Has Turbulent Ancient History
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Stone of Destiny is more popularly known as the Stone of Scone. It is an enigmatic block of sandstone, used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland and England.
What is the story behind this mysterious Stone? Why is it associated with royalty?
Coronation Chair With Stone of Scone. Image licensed under Creative Commons by Cornell University Library
The Stone of Destiny's history is complicated yet extremely interesting. The enigmatic artifact symbolizes one of the most significant and longest-running disputes the British Isles has witnessed over the last 700 years – between Scotland and England.
According to a Celtic legend, the Stone was a pillow used by the patriarch Jacob in biblical times. While Jacob was resting at Bethel in Israel, he beheld a vision of angels.
From the Holy Land, the Stone of Destiny made its journey to Egypt, Sicily, and Spain, and finally, about 700 bc, it reached Ireland, after which it was set up on the Hill of Tara, where the kings of Ireland were crowned.
The Stone was believed to have been brought to Scotland in the 9th century, and after being seized by plundering Celtic Scots who invaded and occupied Scotland, it ended up in the village of Scone in 840 AD.
A copy of the Stone of Scone. Image credit: Bubobubo2 - CC BY-SA 3.0
Until the 13th century, all of the kings of Scotland were seated on it during their coronation ceremonies, which took place at Moot Hill at Scone Palace. (Today, there is only a replica of the Stone there.)
John Balliol was the last Scottish king crowned on the Stone at Scone in 1292.
The Stone came to England amidst bloodshed and bitter rivalry between England and Scotland in the late 13th century. Edward, I removed the Stone in 1296 and took it to Westminster Abbey. He placed it under a special throne called the Coronation Chair so that all future kings of England could be crowned king of Scotland. But it did not happen for many years, until 1603, when James VI of Scotland was also crowned James I of England.
Despite its rather unremarkable appearance, this very ancient block of sandstone has had a turbulent history. It has been hidden, fought over, and stolen during the seven centuries. It was essential to the Children of Israel, and at the same time, the Stone was long associated with the British kings and queens
On December 25, 1950, a group of Scottish Nationalists removed the Stone and brought it back to Scotland. (However, there have been rumors that only a copy of the artifact was returned.) On April 11, 1951, the Stone of Scone was found at the altar of Arbroath Abbey in Scotland.
In 1996, John Major's government finally returned the Stone to Scotland and placed it on public display in Edinburgh Castle, where it remains.
Could the Stone of Scone or Stone of Destiny be one of the most important religious relics in the world?
Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Staff Writer
Updated on December 21, 2022
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesMore From Ancient Pages
-
Never-Ending Battle Of The Oak King and Holly King – Confrontation Of The Light And The Darkness
Celtic Mythology | Dec 17, 2021
-
Ancient Nanotechnology Knowledge Inspired A Modern 3D-Printable ‘Lycurgus Cup’
Ancient Technology | Mar 13, 2019
-
On This Day In History: Samurai Final Battle of Shiroyama Was Fought – On Sep 24, 1877
News | Sep 24, 2016
-
168 Unknown Geoglyphs Discovered In The Nazca Desert By Drones
Archaeology | Dec 19, 2022
-
Qanat Firaun -‘Canal Of The Pharaohs’ Is The Ancient World’s Longest Underground Tunnel
Featured Stories | Mar 10, 2022
-
Charlemagne – Most Famous Emperor Of Education And Enemy Of Pagan Worshippers – What Did He Really Mean For Europe?
Featured Stories | Mar 22, 2023
-
Secrets Of The Freemasons – Masonic Symbols Reveal Worship Of Ancient Mother Goddesses
Ancient Symbols | Jun 18, 2018
-
Beautiful Mosaics Reveal Ancient Secrets Of Unknown Roman City Ucetia In France
Archaeology | Apr 7, 2017
-
Hundreds Of Ancient Ceremonial Sites Discovered Near Aguada Fénix – The Largest And Oldest Maya Monument In Mexico
Archaeology | Nov 8, 2021
-
A 2,500-Year-Old Planned City In Tarighat, Chhattisgarh, India
Civilizations | Oct 8, 2014
-
Unique Maya Center Of Copán With History Recorded In 2500 Hieroglyphics
Civilizations | Nov 7, 2018
-
2,000-Year-Old Stela And ‘Laboratory’ Of Early Maya Writing Found In Guatemala
Archaeology | Mar 15, 2020
-
Norse Shamanism: A Völva And Her Prophecies Were Feared Among Norse Gods And Vikings
Featured Stories | May 19, 2020
-
On This Day In History: Myles Coverdale Who Printed First English Bible Died – On Jan 20, 1569
News | Jan 20, 2017
-
Puzzling Construction Of Unique Sunken Ship From The 17th Century Examined
Archaeology | Jul 28, 2022
-
Medici Family – Powerful Renaissance Godfathers And Patrons Of Galileo Galilei
Featured Stories | Dec 17, 2018
-
A King’s Discovery Of A Mysterious Underground World
Featured Stories | Mar 30, 2024
-
Vikings Feared Climate Change 1,200 Years Ago – Famous Rök Stone Reveals
Archaeology | Jan 10, 2020
-
On This Day In History: Teotihuacan’s Warlord Siyaj K’ak’ Conquers Tikal – On Jan 16, 378
News | Jan 16, 2017
-
Ancient Health Center Discovered In Philadelphia, Central Anatolia, Turkey
Archaeology | Apr 22, 2016