Scotland and its History. The Crown Jewels.

Scotlands Crown Jewels.

The Honours of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny were both used throughout history in the crowning of Scottish, English and British monarchs. They might date back hundreds of years, but they’ve been well looked after and you can still see them on display today at Edinburgh Castle (pictured).

Becoming a king or queen means a big lavish celebration with lots of fancy traditions. Scottish ceremonies were no different – monarchs here wore a jewel-encrusted crown while holding an elaborate sword and a sceptre.

These are Scotland’s crown jewels.

It’s the collective name for a jewel-encrusted crown, an elaborate sword and a sceptre.

They date from the 15th and 16th centuries.

They are the oldest regalia in the British Isles (the emblems of royalty).

HISTORY

They were first used together to crown the infant Mary Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle in 1543.

They were then also used at the coronations of James VI in 1567, Charles 1 in 1633 and, for the last time, Charles II in 1651.

They were hidden in the mid-17th century to keep them safe from Oliver Cromwell.

Firstly they were hidden at Dunnottar Castle in Aberdeenshire, then were smuggled out during a siege and buried a few miles away in Kinneff parish church for nine years – until the monarchy was restored in 1660.

They were then used at sittings of the first Scottish Parliament to represent the monarch.

After the Treaty of Union in 1707, they weren’t needed so, just like in a fairytale, they were locked away in a chest in Edinburgh Castle and forgotten about for over 100 years.

It wasn’t until 1818 when pressure from Sir Walter Scott brought about a search for them in the castle that they were found.

They were hidden again during the Second World War for fear of a Nazi invasion.

In total, they’ve been hidden away three times.