The Guardians of the Cludgie Stane: Stone of Destiny

By Andrew David Doyle

The guardians of the Stone of Destiny through the lineage of time have protected this ancient holy relic up into modern times. From the stones introduction to human society to as far as ancient Egypt under the protection and stewardship of Princess Scota, daughter of Nefertiti and sister of Tutankhamun, the relic has traveled through many countries such as the Iberian Peninsula and Ireland, eventually coming to rest in Argyll, Scotland, where the Scots and Irish had adopted her name for their tribes and succession.

Through the course of this guardianship, the relic was eventually placed with the Knights Templar, Holy Order of Scotland, and overseen by the Earl of Fife, where we know that through the warring years known better by the scholars as the Hammer of the Scots and the year 1296 specifically, where Edward Longshanks had raided Scotland in order to acquire this important relic. However, if true history is to be known, we may find that all was not as Edward had planned, and having returned to Scotland for a period covering seven years or so, King Longshanks was still not convinced that he had succeeded in his mission and eventually died near Lindisfarne before discovering the truth.

As we move into modern times, we may discover that the guardians may have misplaced the holy relic during their tenure and the stone was secreted in various locations through the centuries across Scotland, including the River Tay near Dundee and Dunsinane Castle near Scone, the disputed home of King MacBeth and his wife, Gruogh.

In the account that is portrayed within this narrative, we may find that the relic has been, on occasions, vulnerable, and the guardians are pitched against an unknown enemy from within once more as they endeavor to save the stone from modern-day scientific study methods that could destroy the relic for eternity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781532049682

Andrew David Doyle

Andrew David Doyle was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1962, and is one of those unique authors we all wish we had accompanied during his many global travels. Andrew holds a business degree and several academic diplomas including the arts, law, Philosophy and engineering. As an avid writer Andrew has penned fourteen novels and has more manuscripts sitting on his busy desktop, where we can find each 'adventure' simply screaming out for publication. The genre of Anunnaki, heraldry, religion and the obscure world of the Knights Templar is what Andrew deems as his hidden knowledge base and foundation stone which he carves out and places into his life's journey. As an author Andrew draws on many aspects of history where the threads of simple life are recorded in the rich storytelling tapestry of this adventurer.

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Copyright © 2018 Andrew David Doyle.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-4967-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-4969-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-4968-2 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 06/11/2018

Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Chapter 1     ‘The Tanist Stone’

Chapter 2     ‘The holy relic and the keepers’

Chapter 3     ‘Pax Vobiscum’

Chapter 4     ‘Mortality’

Chapter 5     ‘Kemp Hastings R. L. – Guardian’

Chapter 6     ‘Lost and Found’

Chapter 7     ‘Swords and Symbols’

Chapter 8     ‘Erica Vine’

Chapter 9     ‘Magnetic interference’

Chapter 10   ‘Skullduggery’

Chapter 11   ‘Conclave – The Knights Templar of Scotland’

Chapter 12   ‘That knock on the door’

Chapter 13   ‘1296 - Templars at Arms’

Chapter 14   ‘Alien Petram’

Chapter 15   ‘Knights Templar of Scotland circa 1295’

Chapter 16   ‘The Dash’

Chapter 17   ‘History revisited – The battle of ‘Dun Nechtain 685 AD’

Chapter 18   ‘Repatriation’

Chapter 19   ‘absit omen’

Chapter 20   ‘The aftermath’

Chapter 21   ‘Taxi m’lord’

Afterword

Afterword

The Brexit Plan

Scota’s Stone

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

‘The Holy Order of the Knights Templars of Scotland’ OSMTH KT

Thank you

Chevalier Andrew David Doyle, OSMTH KT Scotland

Beannachd Dé Rìgh Albann, God Bless the Monarchy of Scotland.

FOREWORD

The Stone of Destiny or the Coronation Stone of Scotland and Ireland is the relic in which we will concentrate our current lens of interest upon throughout this narrative, and, of which is the central relic that ‘The Guardians O’ the Cludgie Stane’ storyline evolves in and around. We should however remain mindful that history has had several holy relics woven within its complex historical fabric and, therefore, we should not be confused by another very important holy relic that hails from somewhere across the Irish Sea which is known as the Liath Fail at Tara, a relic which is also a very ancient and highly important one with historical significance connected with Irish religious history, a belief that hails from deep within the complexity of Gaelic folklore itself. For the purposes of this narrative, however, we return to the Cludgie Stane and will at the same time touch on the ancient Stane O’ Skuin (Stone of Scone), or in its modern-represented name, the Holy Relic of Scone, which is our very unique and intriguing article of great Scottish mystery, interest and of course faith, but nevertheless one of great Scottish heraldic importance. And, as a matter of context, the Cludgie Stane is oddly enough a copy of the aforementioned relic hailing from Scone. This particular Stone being an article of faith which was hastily substituted thus replacing the original holy relic from within the confides of Scone Abbey at Moot Hill, a task cleverly executed in Scotland in the year 1296. The substitution plan was enacted under a very strategic, daring charade designed for absolute misdirection and one of which that was orchestrated under the watchful eye of the Earl of Fife along with some very concerned and deeply dedicated Knights of the Scottish Templar realm, who worked together in executing a strategic plan in order to preserve both Scottish religion and heraldry at the same time. As we work our way through this passage, we will soon discover that the genuine article was indeed strategically whisked or ghosted away from potential prying eyes or indeed lawless plunderers working under a deadly shroud or blanket of the most secretive kind. And, as stated earlier, a replica Stone or duplicate article was placed in the same location where the infamous Jacob’s Pillow sat, a move simply enacted to deceive the ‘relic raiders’ from acquiring the most holiest of relics from Scottish soil and fleeing to safety. This pseudo or copy relic was eventually acquired under extreme force executed by the unprecedented military arm of a 13th century English King and war plunderer who was known as King Edward I.

The Stone in question was thought to be at that time the actual mysterious Tanist Stone, the Stone of Jacob, or indeed as previously mentioned Jacob’s Pillow (which is in essence a meteoric rock that has a unique relationship with the Holy Menorah and Jacob’s Pillow). It was once again in its lifetime very hastily relocated after its initial theft, but on this occasion it was whisked away; travelled five hundred miles to England in an orchestrated and very desperate act of political decision making and outright warring plunder - not unlike the act of the Nazis during World War II who were raping Europe of its artistic riches and biblical heritage. This act of theft was viewed by the Scottish Overlords as an act of power and bullying aggression against the Scottish people. It was seen as one of simple arrogance and ignorance executed during a very volatile historical period in time when there was an over powering struggle for rule which fuelled the ongoing, diminishing political relationship between the Guardians of the Kingdom of Scotland and that of the invading English forces of Edward I. Of which, clearly demonstrated the level of desperation that Edward Longshanks and his Government and Generals were prepared to go to in order to undermine any potential Scottish home rule or crown succession for all time north of the border, and was an effort to stem or thwart any potential Scottish uprisings.

During this very bloody, murderous and volatile time period, which was mostly executed on Scottish soil, we would discover that this unique spoil of war appeared to be nothing more at first sight than just a mere trophy item or the actual relic was deemed not important enough at the time of its theft. Again the theft of which was seen by the ill-educated soldiery as just being a large chunk of sandstone that meant something to Scotland. In stark contrast to this, the educated masses thought that the Stone of Destiny was pivotal in the forging and political makeup of the countries that we know of today as Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England or collectively the United Kingdom. Whereupon the relic in this modern day generates a great deal of political and romantic interest from across the globe and is hailed as an article of deep religious significance. Although, we can observe and understand that this particular relic was and still is, in certain terms, the most ‘insignificant’ war trophy of all time snatched from a Sovereign nation. Many people had died unnecessarily at the hands of Edward Longshanks, and this icon still requires careful explanation of its actual footprint within society, especially having been acquired at the cost of so much human sacrifice and bloodshed in ancient days. Although we must remain cognisant that the real or genuine Stone of Destiny, which is an entirely different object of desire completely, was indeed the intended target trophy for Longshanks and his marauding army to try and steal. But it should be stated very clearly at this juncture that from the very onset, since this holy relic became secured and managed under the control of the Guardians of Scotland, that it remains an artefact which still contributes to daily Scottish life and history. What should also be clearly understood by all people across the land Is that this holy relic is never going to be easily given up or permitted to become a bargaining chip or token of war spoil or was ever likely to be used for any other purpose than serving the people and the crowned monarchs of ‘Bonnie Scotland’.

CHAPTER ONE

‘The Tanist Stone’

Noun: (stane) colloquial Scottish word for stone or rock

Noun: (cludgie) colloquial Scottish word for toilet or lavatory

The current Guardians of the Cludgie Stane would describe this holy relic as being a large, oblong block of reddish purple and black, granite, hard stone. Known records will have declared the ‘rock’ as having been identified as the ancient Tanist Stone or the Stone of Bethel, and an artefact deemed as one of the holiest of relics currently on the globe. The Tanist Stone has always been accepted as the actual coronation or foundation Stone used throughout history hailing from not the Holy Land, but also from deep within the kingdoms of Europe including both Scotland and Ireland. Therefore, in historical terms, the Stone can be linked or coupled with a few other prominent eastern and western Kings and Queens which in itself provides great provenance for the artefact to be deemed very important in the first place. Therefore, links together some ancient monarchs such as Constantine III circa 995, Alexander the Great and Charlemagne, where each noble had bonded their respective countries together within the fabric of Christian belief. The holy orders from across the planet, including the Vatican, have decreed that the current custodians of the ‘artefact’ have provided stewardship of this relic which has been passed on through the lineage of time from as far back as ancient Egyptian history was recorded, and this process should continue as is. But the relic was certainly recognised as a significant and a very important object over many centuries prior, and was duly cared for by one of the most powerful and important establishments in historical terms since that time. That institution was the Holy Order of the Knights Templar, Scotland where we will find many Templar records that will stem back into history to around circa AD 710. Since the Stone’s advent into human society, the holy status bestowed on the Stone has never changed even right up until the point where one of the Stone’s sister copies, the Cludgie Stane - along with the scant details of its very controversial theft - came into the public domain. The event was diligently recorded in the annals of our important history as an act which resulted in the Stone’s subsequent removal from the Scottish Kingdom circa 13th century (in the year 1296 according to contemporary records).

An event in history:

• August 8, 1296

King Edward I removed to England the Stone of Destiny on which generations of Scottish kings had been crowned.

• June 2, 1398

Prince Henry St Clair (Sinclair) landed in Nova Scotia, having sailed from Orkney (the Knights Templars were moving important relics and stock).

The pseudo artefact, this magic Cludgie Stane, having been literally ripped from the clutches of Scottish control at the behest of an egotistical and power-crazy, driven English monarch, was to become an important slap in the face for the proud Scottish people.

And, as this narrative unfolds, we will become acquainted with the main antagonist and perpetrator in this storyline who was a man better known in history as King Edward I (Longshanks), where we discover that his unique nickname was mainly due to his tallness and the extraordinary length of his arms and leg bones. Albeit, we should note that Edward was an important English King and an important historical figure who ruled his lands with an iron fist, and did so during the very important uprising years. This dark period in British history was a time, which to say the very least, was a very unstable and turbulent, deathly period in our island’s evolution. The powers that ruled over the land were constantly at loggerheads with one another, each side constantly arguing and debating who was to hold the ultimate sovereignty and power reign over the beautiful Kingdom of Scotland. It was an era hailed by historians as a significant, politically violent and turbulent period where several military cross borders battles, fights, skirmishes, and encounters of aggression were a daily occurrence across the known British Isles. Suffice to say, all these rebellious and political disruptions were to become better known in the historical annals as the ‘Hammer of the Scots’. The military raids never really ceased until the late 1700’s when peace was eventually negotiated.

An event in history:

• July 7, 1575

The skirmish called ‘The Raid of the Redeswire’ took place between Scottish and English borderers, as did many more.

However, one should not argue that Longshanks as King of England was anyway wrong in his decision making as he executed his plans in what he thought were the correct actions for the betterment of the southern nation. His decisive execution of policy was both calibrated and constructed with clear precision in mind, however, even after the pseudo relic or Stane was relocated south of the border it still remained very unclear to the King and to the relic raiders at the time whether or not this newly acquired article was indeed the genuine relic known as the Stone of Destiny or not. If this was not the actual Stone, then what in hell’s half acre was it? But, more importantly, where in God’s name did it come from? After very much deep, scientific deliberation, cogitation and eventual geological analysis of the Stane, it was deemed by the English forward thinkers of the day that this was indeed the original Stone and the genuine article was now firmly in Edward’s possession. It should be stated that perhaps the scientists and geologists of the day made their assumptions in collaboration to put an end to the aggression and war that Edward had unleashed on the Scottish people. Perhaps this was the ‘tool’ to slow down the war hammer as it fell upon the innocent. Of course, it was soon revealed that this newly acquired stony object simply mirrored other existing stony examples taken from the local landscape where it was originally located, and was thus attributed to the Stone’s composition being recorded as Scone sandstone. Upon hearing this fantastic news, Edward would have been beside himself with heavenly rapture having removed a piece of Scottish regalia from the control of his archest of enemies - the Scots. But, sadly, for all concerned especially the local border land dwellers and farming outposts across the borders or modern-day Northumberland, the horrific fighting, bloodshed and hostilities over the ensuing years never actually ceased, resulting in the borderlands becoming a very cold and deserted plain. It was a location only littered with sheep, deer and pheasants.

Enthroned – The Confessor’s chair.

The actual copy Stane, after its removal from north of the border, was subsequently given a very high, important, regal status and was very elegantly retro fitted into a large wooden framed seat or throne. This throne was a very ornate, timber-framed chair indeed and was one that very much accommodated not only the posterior of the nobility of the day but matched the arrogance and disrespect that they as monarchs and rulers held for Bonnie Scotland. This was reflected in the seat’s crude and clumsy design, initially having been constructed not too dissimilar to an earlier styled domestic castle or mobile ‘commode’ in its overall structure. It was by any definition of the word very aptly named as such, being the throne. The style of this seat was commonly known in England as St Edward’s Chair (constructed in the name of Edward the Confessor), who was an earlier, recognised king of England. The throne having being endowed with the magic Cludgie Stane which was now sitting very snugly underneath the transverse seating platform of the very regal seating toilet appliance and had taken its rightful place in history. After the refit of the Stone, Edward’s glorious chair was placed into the fine and regal surroundings within the great Abbey of Westminster, and was sitting proud for all the nation to gaze upon. The throne and relic were officially installed with all the due pomp and circumstance having been very publicly exhibited and communicated to all and sundry. It was conducted under the most opulent display of parade, and was introduced to the English nation under an exhibition ‘extraordinaire’ that the ‘cludgie lid’ of Scotland deserved.

However, dear readers, we should all remain mindful that throughout the Stone’s existence on the planet Earth and, as far as the Kingdom of Scotland was concerned, the Stone of Destiny was always known to have been kept at the Abbey of Scone on Moot Hill near the small northern village of Scone, which is located in central Perthshire, Scotland. This was the chosen location for the relic by the ancient Keepers or Guardians of Scotland for this purpose. This location was always destined to be the relic’s eternal resting place. Scone was indeed very much home of the Stone for many centuries to follow after its initial installation in those very early days before records began. We should state that the relic remains in and around the same area today. Although, it should also be noted that the Stone of Destiny has always remained in very close proximity to that of its many Guardians, Keepers and Minders, including Macbeth, who have all protected the sovereign Stone over many, many centuries. It has been systematically cared for by the people who have by design protected the relic from any would-be, new, unwanted custodians. It should be acknowledged that the relic has never physically left Scotland nor ever will.

Jacob’s Dream and the Temple

Jewish tradition tells us that Jacob (father of the twelve Israelite tribes) saw the Temple in advance in his dream at Luz. After seeing angels ascending and descending on a stairway (ladder), he says in Genesis 28:17 that This is none other than God’s house ... and in v. 19 renames the place Bethel, House of God, which is also a designation for the Temple. Later he changes it again to El Bethel (God house of God) 35:7 and God, in turn, renames him Israel, 35:10. Where it was said, Jacob’s raised head corresponds to an elevated Holy of Holies and his ‘pillow stone’ (28:11) to the Even Shetiyah or ‘Foundation Stone’ where Abraham had earlier bound Isaac (22:9 -11). In other words, as he slept – unbeknownst to him – his head and body became a model for the Temple that was eventually built atop Mount Moriah by King Solomon (2 Chronicles 3:1). Today this site is called Haram al-Sharif by the Arabs, and the Temple Mount by the Israelis and others.

An event in history:

Circa December, 52 - St Columba was reported to have been born in Donegal, Ireland. After having been banished to Scotland following hostile arguments over monastic possessions and their ownership, Columba established a substantial monastery on the island of Iona some forty years later and is credited with converting King Bridei, the leader of the Picts in Scotland, to Christianity. A note of which is recalled later in this text during the battle of Dun Nechtain.

We should understand that as the Stone moved through the lineage of time, the holy relic has had several names or identities attributed to it. Especially as its notoriety grew and grew over many years of controlled exposure. In reality, throughout its lifetime the real Stone was simply accepted as a major holy relic in the very early days up to a certain point in time when this relic was known specifically as Jacob’s Pillow or the Tanist Stone as previously stated. However, should we carefully take a journey of discovery and tiptoe backwards into the early ages trying to pick a convenient date and time to land somewhere within the middle of the Gaelic era of Christian history, we would most likely discover that the chunk of rock would have been certainly known in ancient Caledonia as the:

‘clach-na-cinneamhain’

Chronology of Scottish history – extract

The Stone of Destiny was employed for the coronations of the Scottish monarchy, as listed below: