Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Saturday 22 April 2023

Learning more about the Stone of Scone


Live Science has an article about the latest research that has been undertaken on the Stone of Scone prior to its journey to Westminster for the Coronation. The study has identified additional markings on the stone, evidence of different masons working on it, of a lost brass fitting and confirms that the rock from which it is made belongs to the area of Scone itself. The article can be read at Hidden symbols and 'anomalies' discovered in 800-year-old 'Stone of Destiny' to be used in Charles III's coronation

There is a similar article about the Stone from The National which was published a few weeks ago and which can be seen at New symbols found on Stone of Destiny ahead of transportation for coronation
 

There is another article about these new discoveries from The Archaeologist at The Scottish Stone of Destiny has Roman numerals, according to archaeologists and one from Medievalists.net at Markings revealed on the Stone of Destiny, new research finds

Meanwhile, a Glasgow pub claims that it has the real Stone of Scone, left there by the four students who stole it from Westminster Abbey in 1950. This story is reported upon by the Daily Telegraph at The real Stone of Scone is in my pub and I will prove it, says landlord and by the Daily Express at Landlord claims King's real Coronation stone is in his pub

Now I know strange things turn up in lost property boxes and cupboards but that idea of it just being left in a pub does seem to stretch credibility ever so slightly. 

There is, or was, a church in Scotland whose Minister was of a nationalist persuasion and linked to those who stole it in 1950, and it too claims to have the ‘real’ Stone of Scone. This story, which brings in the (modern) Knights Templar, can be read about in more detail in articles from The Herald from 1996 at So which is fake, and which the genuine article? and from The Independent from 1999 at Where does the real Stone of Scone lie?

Following on from that and similar reports it is something of a relief to turn to the two detailed articles on Wikipedia about the Stone which give a comprehensive outline of its history and the various claims made about it. The first one also has useful links at the end to articles about similar enthronement stones in Britain, Ireland and Europe. The second ends with a thought provoking sting in the tail. The articles can be seen at Stone of Scone and at Westminster Stone theory

I would also strongly recommend the new video from the always well researched History Calling about the Stone, its history, legends and the modern claims. In particular the presenter is, quite rightly, scathing about the four people who stole and severely damaged the Stone and St Edward’s Chair in 1950. She also takes issue with claims that the real Stone either never left Scotland in 1296, or that it was a copy which was returned in 1950.



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