No one is talking about this part of the Coronation
Why is Charles sat on a Scottish stone?
Hello fellow history lover!
I hope you have had a great week.
This week:
Charles III is crowned but, here’s a thing no one else is talking about!
Latest Historian Interview is out! Wars of the Roses and The Battle of Tewkesbury, with historian Julian Humphrys.
Tea Time Live, I talk more about the fate of Anne Boleyn.
Also, my 4-part mini series ‘The Downfall of Anne Boleyn’ continues of YouTube with a discussion of the events which happened from 4th - 10th May 1536 - Watch Episode 2
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are Crowned at Westminster Abbey
I haven’t done much about the Coronation, as you may have noticed. There is plenty of information and commentary to which I don’t need to add. However, here is something I haven’t heard anyone mention. Perhaps it’s not a polite thing to bring up in the present circumstances, but for the sake of providing content that isn’t something you will have already heard, I’m going to.
It specifically concerns the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, and its place in the Coronation Chair. The Chair was commissioned by Edward I in 1296, and it became tradition for a new monarch to sit on it when they were crowned. As such, it has been used in Coronation ceremonies at Westminster Abbey for 700 years.
One of Edward I’s ‘nicknames’ was Hammer of the Scots. In 1296 during an invasion by Edward, the Stone of Scone, which had, for centuries, been used in the crowning of Scottish Kings, was taken. The Stone was removed to London and Edward had a place made for it to be housed in his new coronation chair. To be blunt, he stole it.
The Stone of Scone remained in London until it was returned by her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. It was brought back to England for the Coronation of Charles III, this weekend.
I have heard it said by some commentators how the chair and the stone demonstrate the integral relationship between England and Scotland. Perhaps one could argue that now, but let’s think of this from the point of view of the man who stole it and had a special throne made to house it.
Would Edward be looking to incorporate the sacred stone in his chair as a sign of unity?
Edward had subjugated the Welsh and he expected to do similar with the Scots. I would suggest that Edward I had the stone placed underneath his Coronation Chair to symbolise Scotland as subjugated to England, and to him. Literally under him. One can also not ignore the fact that if it was in England, it wasn’t in Scotland and so, clearly, not available for any new crowning ceremonies.
As the countries have been united for 300 years, perhaps it isn’t something palatable to discuss? Oh well, I just did. As always, I want to throw in different perspectives and views to keep us all on our toes!
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Tea Time History Chat Live
In this week’s episode I talked in more detail about the events in May 1536.
…and finally,
Join me for my last Tea Time History Chat Live before I’m off on The Anne Boleyn Tour, this Wednesday.
Wishing you a great, history filled, week everyone!
from Philippa