Stone of Destiny

The Stone of Scone (/ˈskuːn/; Scottish Gaelic: An Lia Fàil, meaning Stone of Destiny, also called clach-na-cinneamhuinn; Scots: Stane o Scone) is an oblong block of red sandstone that was used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs until the 13th century, and thereafter in the coronation of English and later British monarchs. A cross is incised on one surface, and an iron ring at each end aids with transport. Future Monarchs sat directly upon the Stone of Scone itself, until a wooden platform was added to the Coronation Chair in the 17th century.

The artifact was originally kept at the now-ruined Scone Abbey in Scone, near Perth. In 1296, the forces of King Edward I of England captured it during Edward's invasion of Scotland. In 1996, the stone was returned to Scotland.