The Coronation Chair and Stone of Scone

The Coronation Chair and Stone of Scone
Author: Warwick Rodwell
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 659
Release: 2013-06-02
Genre: Antiques & Collectibles
ISBN: 178297153X

Constructed in 1297−1300 for King Edward I, the Coronation Chair ranks amongst the most remarkable and precious treasures to have survived from the Middle Ages. It incorporated in its seat a block of sandstone, which the king seized at Scone, following his victory over the Scots in 1296. For centuries, Scottish kings had been inaugurated on this symbolic ‘Stone of Scone’, to which a copious mythology had also become attached. Edward I presented the Chair, as a holy relic, to the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey, and most English monarchs since the fourteenth century have been crowned in it, the last being HM Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. The Chair and the Stone have had eventful histories: in addition to physical alterations, they suffered abuse in the eighteenth century, suffragettes attached a bomb to them in 1914, they were hidden underground during the Second World War, and both were damaged by the gang that sacrilegiously broke into Westminster Abbey and stole the Stone in 1950. It was recovered and restored to the Chair, but since 1996 the Stone has been exhibited on loan in Edinburgh Castle. Now somewhat battered through age, the Chair was once highly ornate, being embellished with gilding, painting and colored glass. Yet, despite its profound historical significance, until now it has never been the subject of detailed archaeological recording. Moreover, the remaining fragile decoration was in need of urgent conservation, which was carried out in 2010−12, accompanied by the first holistic study of the Chair and Stone. In 2013 the Chair was redisplayed to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Coronation of HM The Queen. The latest investigations have revealed and documented the complex history of the Chair: it has been modified on several occasions, and the Stone has been reshaped and much altered since it left Scone. This volume assembles, for the first time, the complementary evidence derived from history, archaeology and conservation, and presents a factual account of the Coronation Chair and the Stone of Scone, not as separate artifacts, but as the entity that they have been for seven centuries. Their combined significance to the British Monarchy and State – and to the history and archaeology of the English and Scottish nations – is greater than the sum of their parts. Also published here for the first time is the second Coronation Chair, made for Queen Mary II in 1689. Finally, accounts are given of the various full-size replica chairs in Britain and Canada, along with a selection of the many models in metal and ceramic which have been made during the last two centuries.

Stone of Destiny

Stone of Destiny
Author: Ian Hamilton
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2008-06-17
Genre: History
ISBN: 0857900668

A Scottish national hero tells the story of a daring exploit that rocked Great Britain—and the love of country that inspired it. Ian Robertson Hamilton was an unknown law student at Glasgow University—until Christmas Eve 1950. On that night, assisted by Alan Stuart, Gavin Vernon, and Kay Matheson, he took the Stone of Destiny from beneath the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. The stone, once used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs, had been taken nearly seven centuries earlier by Edward I, and its recovery was a major symbolic victory, making Hamilton a Scottish national hero. In England, however, the act had the opposite effect, and a manhunt for the “vulgar vandals” was launched to satisfy the outrage of the English establishment and bring the perpetrators to justice. In the end, the Stone was given up, but the gang was not charged. This solitary act set Hamilton on a path for the rest of his life—from which he has not diverged. Decades after that fateful night, the story still holds people spellbound when Hamilton recounts it. In this book, Ian Hamilton sets down the chain of events that led to his decision to go to London and remove the Stone and provides a minute-by-minute account of the act and the aftermath. The basis of a major Hollywood film starring Robert Carlyle and Billy Boyd, The Stone of Destiny is not simply a retelling of a stunt that made nationwide news. It is a book about how a nation’s conscience was stirred by a symbolic act that changed the lives of many.

The Stone of Destiny

The Stone of Destiny
Author: David John Breeze
Publisher: Society Antiquaries Scotland
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2003
Genre: History
ISBN:

The Stone of Destiny, Stone of Scone or Coronation Stone, is a relatively unattractive and unappealing slab of stone but it is also a unique symbol in Scottish history, linked to royal inaugurations. At a conference organised by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1997 participants focused on the stone as both object and symbol', discussing its origins, authenticity, its role as a national icon, its removal and loss, and its final return to Scotland in 1996. A range of different approaches were taken assessing the geology of the stone, its ceremonial functions, its links with Scone and Scone Abbey and its turbulent history. Contributors include:

The Story Of The English

The Story Of The English
Author: Helene Adeline Guerber
Publisher: Wentworth Press
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2019-03-21
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781010614913

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The Story of Westminster Abbey

The Story of Westminster Abbey
Author: Violet Brooke-Hunt
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 310
Release: 2020-03-16
Genre: History
ISBN:

In "The Story of Westminster Abbey" by Violet Brooke-Hunt, readers are taken on a captivating journey through the historical and architectural significance of one of Britain's most iconic landmarks. Brooke-Hunt's detailed descriptions and meticulous research provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the abbey's role in shaping British history and culture. The book's rich literary style immerses readers in the grandeur and beauty of Westminster Abbey, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados alike. Violet Brooke-Hunt, a renowned historian and expert in British architecture, brings her expertise and passion for the subject to this book. Her in-depth knowledge and meticulous attention to detail are evident throughout the narrative, offering readers a compelling and insightful exploration of Westminster Abbey's past and present. Brooke-Hunt's scholarly approach and engaging writing style make this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this historic site. I highly recommend "The Story of Westminster Abbey" to readers who appreciate well-researched historical narratives and insightful analyses of architectural landmarks. Violet Brooke-Hunt's expertise and passion for the subject shine through in this book, making it a fascinating and informative read for history buffs and architectural enthusiasts.

Castles of Scotland

Castles of Scotland
Author: Martin Coventry
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2005
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781899874248

A must for all those who want to visit Scotland's many castles. The book covers all of the coutry's famous strongholds, as well as many lesser-known places, with location, access, visitor facilities, and contact details. There is a map, many photos, a glossary of architectural terms, and a family-name index, allowing the reader to identify any castle associated with their family.

God Save the Queen

God Save the Queen
Author: Ian Bradley
Publisher: A&C Black
Total Pages: 335
Release: 2012-03-08
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441178953

At a time of renewed interest in the monarchy (stimulated by the marriage of Prince William of Wales and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II), the institution is analyzed and dissected from almost every point of view apart from the sacred -- which arguably stands at its heart and is its ultimate raison d'etre. Commentators assess the constitutional and philanthropic aspects of monarchy and its tourist potential; gossip magazines report on the Royal Family as a soap opera. This lack of attention is in marked contrast to the sacred origins of monarchy and the manifest importance of religious belief in the life of the present monarch. Ian Bradley traces the religious dimension of monarchy and argues for its importance as a spiritual force in British life, as well as exploring what this might mean in a society that is both multi-faith and increasingly secular.

The Coronation Souvenir

The Coronation Souvenir
Author: International Harvester Company
Publisher: Forgotten Books
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2017-10-27
Genre:
ISBN: 9781527792999

Excerpt from The Coronation Souvenir: June 1911 A few years ago an internal-combustion motor tractor was a scarcity. To - day a trip through Western Canada brings hundreds of them into view, every one of them making money for the owners. No machine introduced to the Canadian farmer has ever met the instant popularity which has come to the gasoline tractor. This popularity is rightly deserved. For no one machine has done more to make possible the great wheat crops which have given Western Canada the name, The Breadbasket of the World. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.