The Crown Jewels of Scotland — The 500-Year Secret That Cromwell Couldn't Destroy
THE HONOURS OF SCOTLAND — THE CROWN JEWELS THAT SURVIVED CROMWELL, TIME AND WAR
They were buried beneath a church floor to escape Cromwell. Hidden behind a sealed wall for more than a century. And later buried deep inside Edinburgh Castle during the Second World War, when Britain feared a German invasion.
The Honours of Scotland — the Crown, Sceptre and Sword of State — have survived more than 500 years of Scottish history, royal upheaval, civil war, revolution and political transformation.
In this video, we uncover the extraordinary story behind Scotland's ancient royal regalia: how they were created, who wore them, why Cromwell wanted them destroyed, and how a minister's wife helped save them from disappearing forever.
THE CROWN OF SCOTLAND
Created in its present form for James V in 1540, the Scottish Crown incorporates older materials and gemstones dating back to earlier Scottish monarchs. We explore its gold, pearls, gemstones, symbolism and the remarkable craftsmanship of Edinburgh goldsmith John Mosman.
THE SCEPTRE OF SCOTLAND
A Renaissance masterpiece associated with Pope Alexander VI and James IV, the Sceptre carries figures of the Virgin Mary, Christ, Saint James and Saint Andrew. It even played a role in the final sitting of the Scottish Parliament in 1707.
THE SWORD OF STATE
Gifted to James IV by Pope Julius II in 1507, this extraordinary sword carries papal symbolism and the names of Saints Peter and Paul. We also reveal how it was damaged while the Honours were being hidden from Cromwell — and why it can no longer be used.
MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS & JAMES VI
The Honours crowned some of the most famous monarchs in Scottish history, including Mary, Queen of Scots, who was only nine months old at her coronation, and her son James VI, crowned at just thirteen months.
We also follow the regalia through the reigns of Charles I and Charles II, including Charles II's dramatic coronation at Scone in 1651 — the last coronation ever held in Scotland.
CROMWELL'S HUNT FOR THE SCOTTISH CROWN JEWELS
When Oliver Cromwell conquered Scotland, the Honours became a target. England's own crown jewels had already been seized and destroyed. Could Scotland's regalia survive?
The answer involved Dunnottar Castle, Christian Fletcher, Kinneff Old Kirk and one of the most extraordinary royal rescue stories in British history.
THE GREAT DISAPPEARANCE
After the Act of Union of 1707, the Honours were locked away inside Edinburgh Castle — and eventually forgotten.
For more than 100 years, people wondered whether Scotland's ancient regalia had secretly been taken to England.
Then came Sir Walter Scott.
In 1818, Scott helped force open a sealed room in Edinburgh Castle. What they discovered inside had been hidden from the world for 111 years.
GEORGE IV & THE RETURN OF ROYAL PAGEANTRY
We also look at George IV's 1822 visit to Scotland, when the Honours were dramatically brought out of Edinburgh Castle and presented during a royal procession — a tradition that would eventually influence how the regalia are presented to modern monarchs.
ELIZABETH II & CHARLES III
The story continues into the modern royal era.
In 1953, the Honours were presented to Queen Elizabeth II at St Giles' Cathedral following her coronation.
And in 2023, they were presented there again to King Charles III.
But there was an important difference: the ancient Sword of State was considered too fragile to use, and a new Elizabeth Sword was presented instead.
THE STONE OF DESTINY & THE STEWART JEWELS
The story also takes us beyond the three Honours to the Stone of Destiny, stolen by four Scottish students in 1950, and to the Stewart Jewels and Lorne Jewels preserved alongside the regalia.
From Robert the Bruce and James V to Mary, Queen of Scots, James VI, Charles I, Charles II, George IV, Queen Victoria, Elizabeth II and Charles III, these objects have remained silent witnesses to the changing face of Scotland.
Five centuries of monarchs. Wars. Unions. Revolutions. Occupation. Two World Wars.
And somehow, the Honours survived.
If you love royal history, British monarchy, antique jewellery, crowns, tiaras and forgotten stories from Europe's royal courts, subscribe to the channel and join us for the next story.