sobolevnrm / Flickr
34 fragments of the famous stone that became a symbol of Scottish subjugation to England were distributed among countless people. New research has discovered what happened to several of them.
A new historical investigation has revealed the remarkable epilogue to one of Britain’s most daring political robberies: the theft of the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey em 1950.
The stone, which is a powerful symbol of Scottish sovereignty, was stolen by a group of nationalist students led by Ian Hamilton, and ended up breaking into two parts during their escape. Now, research by Professor Sally Foster in The Antiquaries Journal, tracked down the scattered fragments of the sacred relic, revealing a global trail of history, politics and patriotism.
The Stone of Scone, as it is also known, was used in the coronation of Scottish kings since 1249 AD, before being taken by Edward I of England in the 13th century. It was incorporated into Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbeywhere all English and, later, British monarchs were crowned, becoming an enduring emblem of the subjugation of Scotland.
On Christmas 1950, Hamilton and his colleagues removed the stone in an act of nationalist defiance, provoking the first border closure between England and Scotland in 400 years. But their victory was short-lived when the stone cracked, forcing them to ask for help from Scottish politicians Bertie Gray and John MacCormick, who arranged for it to be repaired. Fearing political reprisals and the imminent death of King George VI, the group secretly returned the restored stone in 1951, leaving it at Arbroath Abbey for authorities to find.
During repair, 34 minor fragments detached. Gray meticulously numbered them and distributed them to trusted friends, journalists and political allies, often accompanied by letters of authenticity. Foster’s investigation relies on archival records and interviews to track down many of these pieces, although several are still missing, explains the .
Among the relics rediscovered is a fragment transformed into a silver brooch that Hamilton offered to his wife. Another was given by Gray to an Australian tourist in his quest to have pieces of the stone on every continent, but this fragment was later given by the tourist’s family to the Queensland Museum. Another piece was incorporated into King Charles III’s coronation carriage in 2023, placed under the royal seat.
The main stone was officially returned to Scotland in 1996 and now rests in Edinburgh Castle, although it is still taken to London for coronations.
Foster promises to continue his search to locate the remaining fragments: “Many people have come forward with credible family stories, but there are still many gaps to fill.”
