The Stone of Scone / Jacob's Pillow

For years I have been interested in the Stone of Jacob, and finally, I have taken the time to read about it and put it into some sort of order. I hope I have done the subject some justice. It is a long and somewhat confusing story, so if you spot any errors, please feel free to let me know... 

Although it may sound like a pastry, the Stone of Scone is an ancient symbol of Scottish sovereignty. According to legend, the sandstone slab was used by the biblical figure Jacob as a pillow when he dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven and then brought to Scotland by way of Egypt, Spain and Ireland. In reality, geologists have determined that it really comes from Scotland. 

The Stone of Scone is also known as the Stone of Destiny, Jacob's Pillow, the Hebrews' Sacred Stone and the Lia Fáil. It is the great stone upon which the Kings of Scotland, including Constantine III in 995 and Macbeth in 1040, were  crowned. It has been used in every English Coronation since then.

The Stone of Scone was last used in 1953 for the coronation of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The red sandstone block was originally kept at the now-ruined Scone Abbey in Perthshire. The stone was brought back to Scotland in 1996 and is currently displayed at Edinburgh Castle. What the removal of the Stone back to Scotland will mean for Elizabeth's successor is unclear.

The Stone of Destiny is an ancient symbol of Scotland's monarchy, used for centuries in the Coronation of its kings. Revered as a sacred object, it's origins are really unknown. In 1296, King Edward I of England seized the stone from the Scots, and had it built into a new throne at Westminster and later placed under the Coronation Chair. 

This large panel, apparently intended for a ceiling, was done by the painter, architect, and author Giorgio Vasari in 1558. It is housed at the Walthers Art Gallery in Baltimore and tells the story of Jacob and the Stone.

In the Old Testament book of Genesis, on his way to Haran, Jacob lay down in the wilderness to sleep, resting his head on a stone. He dreamed of Angels ascending and descending a stairway, or ladder, to heaven. God then appeared and blessed Jacob and his descendants. 

Bethel, where Jacob had his dream, was an ancient city of Palestine, located just north of Jerusalem, in present day Turkey. Bethel was important in Old Testament times and was frequently associated with Abraham and Jacob.

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it." He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He renamed the city of Luz as present day Bethel.

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

— Genesis 28:16–22, NIV

Fort Macon, North Carolina

After the War of 1812 and the destruction of Washington, D.C. by the British, the United States Government realized the need for more coastal defenses along the line of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Only the strategic placement of that fort prevented the capture of Baltimore by the British. Foreign invasion was getting to be a problem. The Spanish had invaded Beaufort in 1747 and the British had come the same way in 1782. Public sentiment after the last minute victory in New Orleans in 1814 demanded action.

So between 1817 and 1834 the U.S. government built 40 more forts from Maine to the Gulf Coast and even in California. Fort Macon, located in Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina was one of these forts. The fort is designed as a pentagon, much like Fort McHenry in Baltimore with a series of trenches, redoubts and moats. All of the brickwork is beautifully done. The structure is so pleasing to the eye that it is hard to think of it as a place of battle.

Construction began in 1826 and the work was completed in 1834 at a cost of $463,000. A good look at these arches, which comprise the main structural integrity of the fort, give you an idea of their beauty. They circle the entire fort on the inside and enabled the defenders to move about the fort with relative safety. Imagine the cost of this brickwork now!

Most of the materials for the fort were found locally. Clay and sand for the bricks were readily available, as were large quantities of wood. The fort was manned intermittently from 1834 until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. During most of the intervening years the fort held only an Ordinance Officer to oversee the safety of the guns and powders stored there.

Sgt. William Alexander and his wife were the acting caretakers on April 14, 1861 when the Beaufort Harbor Guards, a local Southern Militia, demanded its' surrender. It was home to the Confederacy until April of 1862 when the fort was retaken by Union forces. The cannon marks are still clearly visible on the outside walls.

At the conclusion of Civil War the fort became a penitentiary from 1867 through 1876. At that time it was returned to "caretaker status", meaning that only an Ordinance Officer and his family remained in the fort. There would be no more troops quartered there until 1898 and the Spanish-American War. At this time the fort was manned by African-American soldiers under African-American Command. This was pretty surprising to me as North Carolina was still legally segregated at the time.

These floors were made locally by cutting down and slicing the trunks of trees and then making the slices into square tiles. They have more than stood the test of time. They also bear testimony to the use of local materials in the forts construction.

In 1903 the guns were removed and sent to Federal Arsenals to be used as scrap metal. In 1924 the fort was sold to North Carolina for $1. It became the states second Public Park. In 1934 the Civilian Conservation Corps refurbished the fort and it became a tourist attraction until the outbreak of World War Two.

Coastal Artillery Units manned the fort for the duration of the war as a deterrent against the Nazi U-boats, which, at the time were exacting a heavy toll on Allied shipping. At the end of the war the fort reverted back to its main role as a State Park and continues to attract over 1 million visitors a year.

Located just down the road from Atlantic Beach, it is a nice addition to the stark beauty of the beach. A nice stroll and a look into the hardships of the past can sometimes put a different spin on the troubles we all face today.

This bird was trying to share a sandwich with me on the balcony of our hotel room. It has no relation to this story and is included here only to lend a little color, and perhaps humor, to an otherwise straightforward historical piece. Kind of like a reward for reading this all the way through.

Three for the Road

I carry three books in my car. You never know when you might have to wait somewhere and need something to occupy your mind. I usually have a book with me that I am currently reading, but these are my "backup" books.

The first one is this "Pelican History of the World". It has given me many informative and enjoyable hours when I was waiting in line somewhere, or even in severe traffic when I have had to pull over on the shoulder to let time pass. It has taken me from a chapter called "Before History" to the last chapter, which is called "The Post European Age" and includes the Cold War and it's aftermath, as well as "The Asian Revolution". It has proven invaluable at times when fact checking the various radio talk show hosts for accuracy. They have fallen short of the mark several times. History is a good thing to know if you want to stay objective.

This book, although 4 years outdated, is still a valuable tool in judging trends and debunking myths. With a complete World Atlas it gives a unique perspective on the news. It helps to see that Iraq was a roadblock to unifying the Islamic World, Saddam Hussein notwithstanding. Somehow, when you view a map, along with the news, you see the strategies involved in some of the political decisions being made by our respective leaders. This may be the most dangerous book of all, as it can make you think.

Actually, this was one of the items originally listed in the Patriot Act as contraband on airplanes. I make it a point to carry one whenever I travel. With a copy of the Declaration of Independence, as well as a copy of the Constitution, it really seems to annoy certain people. It also has information and demographics on every state in the Union as well as all the countries of the world, making it an excellent traveling companion. Kind of like the ultimate guide book. With the sections on culture and art you have a very enjoyable and handy mini laptop at your disposal.

The last book in my threesome is the Bible. I employ this King James version (courtesy of the Gideons)as a means of defense against those who would misquote it in various efforts to force their views upon others. Genesis and Psalms are my favorite parts of the so called "Old Testament", while "Romans" is my favorite part of "The New Testament". This book is especially helpful when confronted by overzealous bigots masquerading as People of Faith. Sometimes you can actually educate them. But not often.

There's alot of history, and the story of our whole civilization, told in these three small books. And the best thing about them is that they invariably lead you to find other books, more detailed, on each subject. It becomes an ever lasting chain
of learning, until you learn enough to know that it is impossible for you to know everything. And I don't. But one thing I do know is that I love these books.

Movie Review- A Man For All Seasons with Paul Scofield and Robert Shaw

I'm not much of a fan of old English Royalty type films. This movie however is an exception. It explores the battle of wills between Sir Thomas Moore and King Henry the Eighth. The battle, of course, stemmed from the King wanting his childless marraige to his wife Anne annulled.

Sir Thomas' silence on the subject was tantamount to a rebuke of the King as well as the hypocrisy of the aristocracy. Retribution was sure to come. And come it does.

With strong performances from Shaw as the King (he positively roars at times)and equally matched by Paul Scofield as his quiet but firmly defiant Royal Adversary,this film will keep you engaged and interested.

The direction keeps the film flowing and the portrayal of Oliver Cromwell by Orson Welles will chill you with it's utter ruthlessness.

This film was first released in 1966 and won the Oscar for Best Picture of the Year. I don't know how I missed this one...

And I hope you don't.