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Show STONE OF SCONE Relic Stolen From Abbey LONDON, Eng. The ancient Stone of Scone, a central fixture in the coronation of British kings, was stolen recently from Westminster Abbey. Scottish nationalists and even the more moderate home-rule advocates ad-vocates cheered the news that the priceless relic had been removed from the abbey where it had rested since 1296. The thieves broke a large splinter off the leg of the coronation throne, the oldest piece of furniture in the abbey, in removing the 336-pound stone. Twenty-seven monarchs had been crowned on it, including Britain's present ruler, George VI. The stone, which had rested underneath the throne, was the symbol of the union of the crowns cf England and Scotland. The stone of Destiny (Scottish name for the stone), known to date back at least 1,100 years, measures 26M. by 16 by 11 inches. A large rectangle is outlined roughly on the top. According to legend the stone groans when a rightful sovereign sov-ereign sits on it, but remains silent beneath a conqueror. Belongs to Scotland Edward I took the stone to Westminster West-minster in 1296 from the old Abbey of Scone in Perthshire, where the ancient Scottish kings were crowned. crown-ed. Until it was stolen the only other occasion when it was moved from Westminster Abbey was in 1657 when it was taken to Westminster West-minster Hall for the installation of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector. John MacCormich, chairman of the Scottish covenant movement, said whatever the outcome of the "present adventure" he hoped the stone ultimately would be kept in Scotland except on coronation occasions. occa-sions. He continued: "The Stone of Destiny properly belongs to the people of Scotland. Under the terms of the Treaty of Northhampton in 1328 the stone, which is the symbol of Scottish nationality, was to be returned to Scotland, but that treaty was never observed." The theft itself was an exploit of the most sensational kind to the English. Police surmised the thieves attended a Christmas eve service, concealed themselves in one of the royal chapels until the early morning morn-ing hours, and then removed the stone from beneath the throne. Woodwork Scarred Masonry and woodwork were scarred as the sandstone block was dragged away. ' Most of the people of Scotland were happy about the theft. Nigel Trander, a Scottish Covenant lead--er, said: "This venture may appear foolish and childish on the surface, but it will have the effect down south (England) of focusing attention on Scotland's complaints. It takes a lot to get any news of Scotland's national existence into the English press and this sort of thing is the only type of home-rule story that gets a break In the English newspapers." |