Letter: England's 'Stone of Scone'

Neal Ascherson may wish to know that the English, too, have their "Stone of Scone" ("No single state or person can own the Stone of Scone", 7 July). Nine English kings were crowned upon it from Egbert (802-839, Alfred the Great's grandfather) to Ethelred the Unready (978-1016). The Early English kings were anointed with holy oil, bestowed with royal regalia including ring, sword, crown, sceptre and staff in a ceremony similar to today's coronation. This stone sits in the churchyard of Kingston upon Thames parish church. Perhaps this "Coronation Stone" should replace the Stone of Scone at Westminster Abbey?

Philip Gerken

Leeds