#2: Stone of Scone (Stone of Destiny) – Scottish Kings (Scotland)
The Stone of Scone looks like a plain block of sandstone, but it carried the weight of a kingdom for centuries. From at least the 9th century, Scottish kings were crowned while seated on it, tying the stone directly to royal legitimacy. In 1296, King Edward I of England seized it during his invasion of Scotland and had it built into the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey. It stayed there for over 700 years. In 1996, it was returned to Scotland, though it still travels to London for British coronations, including King Charles III’s in 2023.
