The New Murrey and Blue blog

With the first coronation in seventy years looming fast, there is naturally a lot of discussion about various aspects of the ancient ceremony. I don’t know what the new king’s wish to “modernise” might finally entail, but I do know the proceedings will have to include the Coronation Chair (now a shadow of its former glittering self) which has been used by our monarchs since 1308. I know too that the lions upon which it stands were added in 1727 to replace originals which dated from the early 16th century.

Now, another main constituent of the chair was, for a very long time Scotland’s Stone of Scone/Scone of Destiny, upon which kings north of the border had been seated to be crowned. It was taken south by Edward I in 1296. Naturally enough, the Scots always wanted their Stone back, and there was an attempt to steal it on Christmas Eve 1950, during which it was broken. Eventually in 1996 the Stone was given back to Scotland….but on the understanding that it would be returned temporarily for future coronations, the first of which is that of King Charles III. You can read a lot more here.

I confess to not having known the entire background of the Stone, but did know of the claim that “….it was the same stone used by the biblical figure Jacob (the father of the Israelites) as a pillow in Bethel when he dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven….” So Jacob not only used it as a pillow, but actually managed to sleep enough to dream! My head and neck ache just to think of trying that.

You can find out more at this link According to legend.