Imperial sword (Scotland)

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The Imperial Sword of Scotland is part of the Scottish Crown Jewels ("Honors of Scotland").

history

The sword is made in Italy and was named King James IV. presented in 1507 by Pope Julius II . The blade, 4.5 feet (~ 1.34 m) long, is engraved with the two Saints Peter and Paul, as well as the name of Julius II. The handle is made of gilded silver and is decorated with oak leaves and acorns. The sword was damaged in 1652 and hidden from Oliver Cromwell's forces . It was kept in a wooden sheath lined with velvet and silver .

Cromwell had melted down the crown treasure to finance his campaigns, but the imperial insignia were not included. In 1707, after their use was banned, they were hidden in a chest in Edinburgh Castle . Here the sword, complete with crown and scepter, were rediscovered by Sir Walter Scott on February 4, 1818 . It can be seen in a permanent exhibition in Edinburgh.

Individual evidence

  1. The Honors of Scotland ( Memento from January 13, 2018 in the Internet Archive )