Service marks 500 years of Scottish Sword of State

A service has been held to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the giving of the Sword of State for Scotland by Pope Julius II.

The sword was presented to King James IV in 1507 as a gift from Pope Julius II and is one of the three Honours of Scotland, together with the Crown and Sceptre.

The honours came under threat in the mid 17th century when Oliver Cromwell ordered the destruction of the Honours, but were hidden in Dunnottar Castle and then smuggled away to Kinneff Parish Church when the castle was besieged by the Cromwell's New Model Army. They were recovered in 1660.

After the Act of Union in 1707 the Honours were again locked away in Edinburgh castle as they came to serve no symbolic purpose as the separate English and Scottish Parliaments made way for the new Great British Parliament.

In 1819 a group including Sir Walter Scott recovered the items and put them on public display until the present day, with the exception of a brief period during the Second World War.

The service was led by Cardinal Keith O'Brian in St Margaret's Chapel, while the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, held a reception at Edinburgh Castle with the Sword and other Honours on display.

Cardinal O'Brien said, "The Sword of State is a powerful symbol of Scotland's historic identity. It is also a tangible reminder of the crucial role played by the Christian faith in the life of our nation.

"Faith in God is one of the foundation stones upon which our nation has been built while Papal involvement in our national life over many centuries has helped to cement our identity."

"Today our country requires the moral and spiritual compass which our faith provides more than ever before. I pray that in celebrating the gift of this powerful symbol of state and faith we gain inspiration from generations of Scots who have gone before us certain of the place of God in the life of our nation."

Alex Salmond said before the reception, "When Pope Julius II presented Scotland with the Sword of State he bestowed upon our nation great prestige and spiritual significance. This gift is an honour that should be treasured and celebrated. It reminds us that the nation state of Scotland was a filia specialis (favourite daughter) of the papacy."

"But it is no longer time to hide our honours - it is time to hold them high with the pride of the red lion."

He continued: "They imbue everything we achieve with the power of faith, and are a lasting reminder of the trust that our government has to honour."