Edinburgh Castle - 38

You are now gazing at a photo at the Honours of Scotland. The Crown, Sceptre and Sword of State are the oldest crown jewels in the British Isles. They were shaped in Scotland and Italy during the reigns of James IV and James V, and first used together for the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543.



On 30 November 1996, St Andrew's Day, Edinburgh Castle became the home of another Scottish icon - the Stone of Destiny.

For centuries the Stone of Destiny served as the seat on which the Scottish kings were enthroned at Scone, near Perth. Then, in 1296, Edward I of England had it forcibly removed. When it arrived in Westminster Abbey in London it was enclosed within a new throne, the Coronation Chair.

Now the ancient Stone rests again in Scotland, in the Crown Room beside the Honours of Scotland. It will only ever leave Scotland again when there is a coronation in Westminster Abbey.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45)

As Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be (privately) celebrating her 85th Birthday on Maundy Thursday this year, it is fitting that we now stand and sing the National Anthem. Every year during Holy Week The Queen presents special 'Maundy money' to local pensioners in a UK cathedral or abbey. The presentation takes place on Maundy Thursday in recognition of the service of elderly people to their community and their church. This year the Maundy Service will take place at Westminster Abbey on 21 April 2011.

God save our gracious Queen,
long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us,
God save the Queen!

Thy choicest gifts in store
on her be pleased to pour,
long may she reign:
may she defend our laws,
and ever give us cause
to sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen!