Berwick Bridge account book, 1611–1614

James VI of Scotland embarked on a long journey from Edinburgh to London in April 1603, in order to claim the crown of England and Ireland. His cousin Elizabeth I had died on 24 March, and it was believed that a new union between the nations would bring about lasting peace.

But along the way, something irked him: the wooden bridge that he used to cross the River Tweed was in a shambolic state, and at risk of collapse. Keen to build a symbolic link between his kingdoms, James approved the creation of a new stone