The Stone of Destiny

In Westminster Abbey, there is a large stone with an interesting history. Legend says the stone was brought from Scotland. For a long time, it was the seat on which the kings of Scotland sat when they were crowned. Duncan, Macbeth, and Malcolm sat on this stone at their coronations. Edward I of England invaded Scotland many times and once brought the Stone of Destiny to England.

The legend says that wherever this stone goes, a Scottish king rules. This proved true in 1603, when Queen Elizabeth died and King James of Scotland also became king of England and Wales. The kings and queens of Britain still sit on this stone, but not alone. In the 13th century, King Edward I had an oak chair made for English coronations. The Stone of Destiny was put into the seat of the chair so the king could sit on both the English throne and the Scottish stone at the same time. The stone is now in Westminster Abbey.