| From 1286
until 1320 we Scots had some troubles with our southern English neighbours
and their kings Edward I & II. Although many Scots dispute the accuracy
of the film Braveheart, I think it gives a reasonable picture of the
times. During his invasion of Scotland, in 1296 Edward I spent a night in
Auchterarder Castle.
At Blackford William Wallace
is said to have defeated a small English force as they crossed the ford on
the Allan Water.
Wallace's greatest hour, the
battle of Stirling Bridge, took place 15 kms south of Strathearn. On 11th
September 1297 an English army under the Earl of Surrey was caught attempting
to cross a narrow wooden bridge over the River Forth at Stirling. This force
was slaughtered and the strategically crucial fortress of Stirling Castle
fell to Wallace.
Scone, 10kms east of Strathearn,
was for centuries home of the Stone of Destiny. This magical rock, said to
be black marble from the Holy Land and Jacob's original pillow, was used
in the crowning ceremony of Scottish Monarchs. Around the Stone of Scone
lies much controversy. In 1296 Edward stole 'a stone' from Scone - a piece
of local sandstone. Ten years later in 1306 Robert I (Robert the Bruce) was
said to be crowned on The Stone at Scone. Spot the obvious here? So where
did the real Stone go? And where is it today? What was the stone that came
back from England after 700 years amid much publicity? - the old cover to
the cess pit at Scone, say some! |
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