Edinburgh Castle Pt 3 - The Royal Palace and Scottish Crown Jewels
If there’s one part of the castle that shouldn’t be missed it has to be the Royal Palace and the Scottish Crown Jewels.
The Palace was at the heart of the royal castle from the 11th to the early 17th centuries and probably an extension to David’s Tower.
On the ground floor, the most important event to take place at the Palace occurred on 19th June 1566 when Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to a son who became King James VI of Scotland after her abdication thirteen months later.
Mary and her husband Lord Darnley were living at Holyrood when rumours circulated that the father of her unborn child was David Rizzio, her Private Secretary. Shortly afterwards Rizzio was murdered at Holyrood and Darnley was the chief suspect. To make matters worse Mary was catholic and the country was now protestant and so she came to the safe haven of the castle to give birth to the future King James VI and I of England. The birth took place in a small room next to her own chamber.
James became King of England in 1603 and left Edinburgh for London. The Palace became neglected, but for a solitary return in 1617 to celebrate 50 years on the Scottish throne, the place had a facelift. The birth chamber was re-decorated (which still shows the same decorations today) and new rooms were added including the Laich Hall.
On the first-floor new apartments for the King and Queen were built as was the Crown Room to safeguard the Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels).
For obvious reasons photography isn’t allowed in the Crown Room but at centre stage is the Crown, Sceptre and Sword of State with the Stone of Destiny beside them.
These Crown Jewels date from around 1494 to1540 and were first used together for the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots in September 1543.
They were whisked away elsewhere during Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth period and returned, but after the Union with England they became forgotten about until 1818 when Sir Walter Scott was given permission to enter the Crown Room and unlock the chest that they were thought to be in. Amazingly they were still there after 111 years of obscurity.
The Stone of Destiny has also had a remarkable history. This stone was the original throne that the early Kings of Scotland were crowned on at Scone near Perth. In the Wars of Independence King Edward I of England confiscated it and took it down to London where it was placed under the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. In 1996 on the 600th anniversary of its removal it was returned to Scotland and put on display next to the Crown Jewels. The only time that it will be moved is when there’s another coronation.
Originally posted 2018-04-24 06:04:39.
Well, loking at the Germans in the opening game, I came out with the ‘Who are these guys’ Butch and Sundance line within 3 minutes. Some of the football being played by certain teams is in a league of its own, on a whole new level…. But who knows.
What you do forget is the size of this place actually and all the bits to it.
That’s why I thought it made sense to break it down into a series of short posts. By the way, what a disappointing performance against Germany. Mind you, I can’t say too much, we lost against Iceland.
Oh Scotland just stood there the other night. I know they are down defenders but they would have been as well conceeding the game. I feel sorry for all the goalie for the pelters he’s been getting. having said that the Germans were like machines.
Germany playing on home turf in a major competition are always going to be stiff opposition whoever’s playing them. It was ufortunate for Scotland that they were the first in line.
Yeah. We’d roudned off a hill walk with my cousins by going to our older girl’s house to watch. I think the action was better at the BBQ my younger girl’s lot were at in company with the local boys’ team and the paretns and coaches, that the oldest grandie plays for. One of them booted a ball through a window.
OMG
Plainly that kid would have done a better job in Munich….
LOL.. They’ve got a chance to redeem themselves in Cologne tonight though.
well…. AH’m no huddun mah breath……
You’re not out of it yet ⚽
Reckon we will be soon though…
I don’t think England will be far behind the way it’s looking.