The Stone of Scone (Gaelic: Lia Fail), also known as the Stone of Destiny or Coronation Stone, is a block of sandstone associated with the coronation ceremonies of the medieval monarchs of Scotland. These ceremonies were held at Scone, a prehistoric site in Perthshire, although the precise use of the stone is not known.
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Definition
Timeline
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700 BCEAccording to one legend, the Stone of Scone is brought from Egypt to Ireland via Spain.
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c. 500 CEAccording to one legend, the Irish ruler Fergus Mor brings the Stone of Scone to Scotland.
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c. 843 CEKenneth MacAlpin moves the Stone of Destiny to Scone, hence its other name, the Stone of Scone.
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c. 1115 CEAlexander I of Scotland establishes Scone Priory.
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30 Nov 1292 CEThe coronation of John Balliol, King of Scotland. He is the last medieval king to be inaugurated with the Stone of Scone a part of the ceremony.
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27 Apr 1296 CEJohn Balliol, king of Scotland, surrenders to an English army after defeat at the Battle of Dunbar. Edward I of England removes the Stone of Scone to Westminster Abbey.
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25 Mar 1306 CERobert the Bruce is crowned king of Scotland at Scone Abbey. He is the first king not to have the Stone of Scone present at his inauguration.
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25 Dec 1950 CEThe Stone of Scone, the block of red sandstone used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs, taken by English King Edward I to England, is stolen by members of the Scottish Covenant Association fighting for home rule and brought to Scotland. It was returned to England in 1951 and then returned to Scotland in 1996.
