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Extract from the remarkable correspondence with authorities, in that delightful book by Robbie the Pict, which led to the UK Government returning the Stone of Destiny to Edinburgh, Scotland. The Stone, used in the coronation of Scottish Kings, was taken from Scone by Edward the First of England in 1296. Its return was agreed under the Treaty of Northampton 1328, but the English Government did not honour that treaty. It remained under the throne of England in Westminster Abbey until 1996.
In 1950, four Scottish students took the stone from Westminster Abbey, in a daring venture, and brought it to Scotland in demonstration of the country’s national aspirations. They later returned the stone at Arbroath Abbey. The authorities decided not to prosecute the four, out of fear of the reaction of the Scottish people, and doubts about how a court case might go. Their official excuse was that ‘ownership’ of the stone might be difficult to prove.
But in 1996 (following the letters reproduced below), at the instigation of Michael Forsyth, then Conservative MP for Stirling, and Secretary of State for Scotland, Prime Minister John Major announced that the Stone would be returned to Scotland. Subsequent to the announcement, the Stone was delivered to Edinburgh Castle on November 15 1996.
The letters reproduced in the following account tell how a remarkable Scot, Robbie the Pict, challenged the Police, and legal authorities, the Government, the Monarchy, and the Dean of Westminster, about the theft and the reset or retention of the stolen property, and demanded its return to Scotland. It is a fascinating and amusing story.
The material is reproduced by permission of the author, Robbie the Pict. Any readers wishing to get a copy of the book may obtain it for £ 5. Cheques should be sent to ‘Robbie the Pict’, Fordside House, Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AB, Scotland, UK.
The correspondence, with author’s notes, can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cles/stane.htm
Alastair
In 1950, four Scottish students took the stone from Westminster Abbey, in a daring venture, and brought it to Scotland in demonstration of the country’s national aspirations. They later returned the stone at Arbroath Abbey. The authorities decided not to prosecute the four, out of fear of the reaction of the Scottish people, and doubts about how a court case might go. Their official excuse was that ‘ownership’ of the stone might be difficult to prove.
But in 1996 (following the letters reproduced below), at the instigation of Michael Forsyth, then Conservative MP for Stirling, and Secretary of State for Scotland, Prime Minister John Major announced that the Stone would be returned to Scotland. Subsequent to the announcement, the Stone was delivered to Edinburgh Castle on November 15 1996.
The letters reproduced in the following account tell how a remarkable Scot, Robbie the Pict, challenged the Police, and legal authorities, the Government, the Monarchy, and the Dean of Westminster, about the theft and the reset or retention of the stolen property, and demanded its return to Scotland. It is a fascinating and amusing story.
The material is reproduced by permission of the author, Robbie the Pict. Any readers wishing to get a copy of the book may obtain it for £ 5. Cheques should be sent to ‘Robbie the Pict’, Fordside House, Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AB, Scotland, UK.
The correspondence, with author’s notes, can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cles/stane.htm
Alastair
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