Parliament and the Scottish Coronation of Charles II in 1651

Abstract

Scone near the royal burgh of Perth, 65 kilometres (40 miles) north of Edinburgh, is the ancient inauguration site for the kings of Scots and was where the coronation of Charles II (1630-85) took place in 1651. The precise details and integrity of the 'Scone ceremonial complex', located between the original abbey and palace, mostly destroyed in 1559 as the Scottish Reformation ignited, and the early nineteenth century neo-gothic home of the earls of Mansfield which replaced and augmented earlier structures, is subject to some conjecture. 2 We know that parts of the inauguration ritual took place outdoors and over the centuries traditional elements mixed with phases of evolution that reflected Scotland's political, cultural and confessional condition. One thing was common however: wherever coronations took place, the Scottish Parliament sat before and after, out of convenience of course, to save a costly re-summoning of the estates, but also to affirm the new monarch's authority and the constitutional deal between parliament and king.