A coronation stone is a

stone In geology, rock (or stone) is any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It is categorized by the minerals included, its Chemical compound, chemical composition, and the way in which it is formed. Rocks ...

which has taken part in the ceremony of a monarch’s

coronation A coronation is the act of placement or bestowal of a crown upon a monarch's head. The term also generally refers not only to the physical crowning but to the whole ceremony wherein the act of crowning occurs, along with the presentation of ot ...

. These stones were primarily used in medieval Europe, but historical examples exist throughout the world. Stones believed to have been used as coronation stones still exist, but public figures and historians argue about their authenticity and use today. Some are considered by historians to have been invented in the early modern period.

List

History

While there does not appear to be a single common source, the origins of most coronation stones are associated with legends with connections to historical events. It has been proposed that stones, being a common and long lasting natural material, were naturally used as seats and were associated with monarchs. Over time, that association evolved to make these stones equal to the sacredness of a monarch. Many of the coronation stones in the British Isles claim to share a common origin, specifically the

Lia Fail Lia is a feminine given name. In the Spanish-speaking world, it is accented Lía. In America, the name may be a variant of Leah or Lea. Lia may be a diminutive of various names including Julia, Cecilia, Amelia, Talia, Cornelia, Ophelia, Rosa ...

and

Stone of Scone The Stone of Scone (; gd, An Lia Fàil; sco, Stane o Scuin)—also known as the Stone of Destiny, and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone—is an oblong block of red sandstone that has been used for centuries in the coronati ...

, though this is disputed among sources. In Europe, there are many recorded instances of coronation ceremonies being conducted with these stones. Outside of Europe, there are mentions of special stones being used by rulers for their coronation ceremonies, such as the Kök Tash, Etai Odidem/Ntui, and Vatubulia.

Modern use and controversy

While most of these coronation stones are no longer in use, the

still holds a symbolic place in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

and

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

. As a result of nationalist contentions, this coronation stone has been the center of controversies, even resulting in its theft in 1950, though it was returned. The Stone of Scone has been slated for use again in the coronation ceremony of

Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. He was the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales and, at age 73, became the oldest person t ...

. This has resulted in further controversy about its veracity and the place that a coronation stone has in a modern monarchy.

References

Stone monuments and memorials {{tradition-stub