Scone Palace: Difference between revisions
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Scone was as an ancient gathering place of the [[Picts]], and was probably the site of an early Christian church from early times. The place of coronation was called ''Caislean Credi'', 'Hill of Credulity', which survives as the present [[moot hall|Moot Hill]]. In the [[Middle Ages]] the mound was marked with a stone cross, but this disappeared probably at the [[Reformation]] in [[1559]], when the Abbey buildings were sacked by a mob from [[Dundee]]. |
Scone was as an ancient gathering place of the [[Picts]], and was probably the site of an early Christian church from early times. The place of coronation was called ''Caislean Credi'', 'Hill of Credulity', which survives as the present [[moot hall|Moot Hill]]. In the [[Middle Ages]] the mound was marked with a stone cross, but this disappeared probably at the [[Reformation]] in [[1559]], when the Abbey buildings were sacked by a mob from [[Dundee]]. |
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[[Image:Scone Palace Morris edited.jpg|thumb|275px|Scone Palace circa 1880.]] |
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From 1114 to 1559 Scone was one of [[Scotland]]'s major abbeys. It was founded by King [[Alexander I]]. A representation of the church on the Abbey's seal, and some surviving architectural fragments, show that it was built in the [[Romanesque]] style, with a central tower crowned with a spire. Between 1284 and 1402 Scone Abbey (sometimes referred to as the Palace of the Abbots) often served to house the Scottish [[Parliament]]. [[Alexander II]] and [[Alexander III]], both crowned at Scone, ruled collectively from 1214 to 1286. For centuries the greatest treasure at Scone was the [[Stone of Scone]] upon which the early [[Kings of Scotland]] were crowned. When [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] carried off the [[Stone of Scone]] to [[Westminster Abbey]] in [[1296]], the [[Coronation Chair]] that still stands in the abbey was specially made to fit over it. [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]] was crowned at Scone in [[1306]] and the last coronation was of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]], when he accepted the Scottish crown in 1651. The Stone of Scone is now in [[Edinburgh Castle]] ([[Historic Scotland]]) along with the Scottish regalia. In 1604 Scone was the family seat of the [[Lord of Scone|Lords of Scone]], a branch of the Murrays of Tullibardine, whose original family seat was Balvaird Castle. |
From 1114 to 1559 Scone was one of [[Scotland]]'s major abbeys. It was founded by King [[Alexander I]]. A representation of the church on the Abbey's seal, and some surviving architectural fragments, show that it was built in the [[Romanesque]] style, with a central tower crowned with a spire. Between 1284 and 1402 Scone Abbey (sometimes referred to as the Palace of the Abbots) often served to house the Scottish [[Parliament]]. [[Alexander II]] and [[Alexander III]], both crowned at Scone, ruled collectively from 1214 to 1286. For centuries the greatest treasure at Scone was the [[Stone of Scone]] upon which the early [[Kings of Scotland]] were crowned. When [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] carried off the [[Stone of Scone]] to [[Westminster Abbey]] in [[1296]], the [[Coronation Chair]] that still stands in the abbey was specially made to fit over it. [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]] was crowned at Scone in [[1306]] and the last coronation was of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]], when he accepted the Scottish crown in 1651. The Stone of Scone is now in [[Edinburgh Castle]] ([[Historic Scotland]]) along with the Scottish regalia. In 1604 Scone was the family seat of the [[Lord of Scone|Lords of Scone]], a branch of the Murrays of Tullibardine, whose original family seat was Balvaird Castle. |
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Revision as of 12:50, 18 February 2006
Scone Palace (pronounced skoon) is a Listed Historical Building near Perth, but, more importantly, a place of coronation for Pictish and Scottish kings. The present palace was built in 1608 for the Earls of Mansfield by William Atkinson. Unfortunately, the palace was extensively remodeled in 1776 by the Fifth Viscount of Stormont, Earl of Mansfield, with addition of elaborate French furnishings. The present palace made of red sandstone is a classic example of the late Georgian Gothic style. In the Middle Ages it was the site of a major Augustinian abbey, and the crowning-place for Kings of Scots (on the Stone of Destiny) down to Alexander III.
Scone was as an ancient gathering place of the Picts, and was probably the site of an early Christian church from early times. The place of coronation was called Caislean Credi, 'Hill of Credulity', which survives as the present Moot Hill. In the Middle Ages the mound was marked with a stone cross, but this disappeared probably at the Reformation in 1559, when the Abbey buildings were sacked by a mob from Dundee.
From 1114 to 1559 Scone was one of Scotland's major abbeys. It was founded by King Alexander I. A representation of the church on the Abbey's seal, and some surviving architectural fragments, show that it was built in the Romanesque style, with a central tower crowned with a spire. Between 1284 and 1402 Scone Abbey (sometimes referred to as the Palace of the Abbots) often served to house the Scottish Parliament. Alexander II and Alexander III, both crowned at Scone, ruled collectively from 1214 to 1286. For centuries the greatest treasure at Scone was the Stone of Scone upon which the early Kings of Scotland were crowned. When Edward I carried off the Stone of Scone to Westminster Abbey in 1296, the Coronation Chair that still stands in the abbey was specially made to fit over it. Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone in 1306 and the last coronation was of Charles II, when he accepted the Scottish crown in 1651. The Stone of Scone is now in Edinburgh Castle (Historic Scotland) along with the Scottish regalia. In 1604 Scone was the family seat of the Lords of Scone, a branch of the Murrays of Tullibardine, whose original family seat was Balvaird Castle.
Presently on view in the state rooms of Scone Palace are fine collections of furniture, ceramics, ivories, and clocks. Some of the prized contents of Scone Palace are Rococo chairs by Pierre Bara, and Dresden and Sèvres porcelains. The gardens and grounds are also open to the public. The gardens of Scone feature Moot Hill, the mound was said to have been created by pilgrims each carrying a bootful of soil to the site in a gesture of fealty to the king. A repica of the Stone of Scone sits on Moot Hill, where coronations occurred. Elsewhere in the garden, there is a modern day maze created of hedges.
The grounds of the Palace are the best-known breeding locality in Scotland for Hawfinch. There are fine woodlands on the grounds and policies of Scone Palace, some of the fir trees being at least 250 years old.
References
- Adam, Frank and Thomas Innes, The Clans Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands 1934, Kessinger Publishing (2004)
- Christie, Christopher, The British Country House of the Eighteenth Century, Manchester Univeristy Press, Oxford (2000) ISBN 07190 4724 2
- Montgomery-Massingberd Houses of Scotland
- Treasures of Britain: the Architectural, Cultural, Historical and Natural History of Britain, W.W. Norton Publishing (2002) ISBN 0393057402