[MR] History Blog: Stone of Destiny Was a Doorstep?

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends, Especially Fellow Scots,

Today's History Blog entry reports that researchers have determined
Scotland's famous Stone of Destiny (aka "The Stone of Scone", and it is
pronounced "scoon") likely had seen service as a doorstep.

The Stone of Scone has all sorts of questionable history attached to it,
including claims it was the biblical Jacob's pillow, or that it was brought
to Scotland by some mysterious Egyptian princess. Analysis of the red
sandstone block proved it was actually quarried not far from Scone,
Scotland.

The Stone was kept at Scone Abbey near Perth and was traditionally used in
the coronation of Scottish monarchs. As part of his shrewd plan to
subjugate Scotland by removing all traces of its separate identity, Edward
I stole the Stone in 1296. It was incorporated into the Coronation Chair at
Westminster Abbey, and used by all subsequent English/British monarchs.
Returned to Scotland in 1996, it was displayed at Edinburgh Castle with the
Honors of Scotland (the crown jewels and other bling). The Stone was
"loaned" to Charles III for his coronation and was sent to London (secretly
and under guard). The Stone has recently been moved back to Perth where it
is now the centerpiece of a new historical museum.

Researchers took scans of the Stone before its sojourn in London. The
just-announced results show that it had a long history being walked upon,
though the wear is not visible to the naked eye. The researchers now
believe the Stone was used as a step in a church or some other important
building, and may even date back to Roman times. It has sometimes been
claimed that the Stone of Scone is actually a fake, palmed off on Edward
while the real Stone was hidden elsewhere. There is no proof of this
deception, and no other candidate survives (it does make a great story
though). However humble its earlier purpose, and setting aside a lot of
dodgy history, the Stone of Scone remains one of Scotland's greatest
treasures.

The History Blog story is found at
https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/70099 .

Curiously, there is no mention of the Stone today on BBC Scotland. The news
there is all about Scotland's current political crisis, and of course
sports.

A good historical summary about the Stone of Scone is at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_of_scone .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, A Proud Scot by both SCA character and real descent  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep Merry Rose relevant and in business.