The Stone of Destiny: In Search of the Truth

"The Stone of Destiny" is the first book to explore the reasons behind the theft of the Stone of Scone in 1296 by King Edward I of England and to examine the validity of the myths and legends associated with its origins. It is widely believed that the stone taken to Westminster Abbey and returned to Scotland in 1996 was the Covenant Stone of the Israelites, also known as Jacob's Pillow, which was carried to Spain by the Egyptian Princess Scotia before being moved to Ireland and subsequently to Scotland, and used as the Coronation Seat of the early Scottish kings. The authors examine the political situation between the various kingdoms of Britain and the Church of Rome during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and how very real the threat of another European crusade, like the Albigensian Crusade, must have been felt in Scotland.Also explored are the many theories about the authenticity of the stone now on display in Edinburgh Castle and whether this is the Palladium of Scotland that Edward intended to take, or whether there is another artifact that can make sounder claims to being the genuine Coronation 'Stone'.