Picture Day Friday

This is not a mere hunk of rock. In medieval times, many scholars believed it had biblical origins. Some thought it was the pillow on which Jacob dreamed of his ladder. Others believed it had been taken out of Egypt by the daughter of a pharaoh.

It has been used in coronation ceremonies of the kings of Scotland at Scone, near Perth since Lulach sat on it to be proclaimed king in 1057.

The English stole it in 1296. For the next 700 years, it was used to crown English kings and queens at Westminster Abbey. The stone was returned to Scotland in 1996 by QE II with the condition that it travel to Westminster for the next coronation (or it crumbles to dust, whichever happens first).