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It's June 1296, and a war is raging between the kingdoms of England and Scotland.

Soldiers hurry behind Edward I, King of England, as he strides into Skone Havvy in eastern Scotland.

Three months ago, Edward's forces defeated a Scottish army at the Battle of Dunbar,

forcing the King of Scotland to flee north and leaving Edward to claim the spoils of war.

Today, Edward is here at one of the Scottish King's royal residents

to get his hands on one prize in particular, the Stone of Destiny.

Legend has it that the stone is a precious relic from the Holy Land.

For centuries, Scottish kings have used it as a seat during their coronation ceremonies

as a symbol of divine approval. By confiscating the Stone of Destiny,

Edward is sending a message to the Scots. He is their ruler now.

Edward gestures to his soldiers, who step forward with weapons raised.

A cowering clergyman directs them toward a chair near the altar,

and inside the chair's wooden framework is a large block of red sandstone.

Edward nods at his men, and the soldiers surround the chair,

smashing it to pieces and exposing the Stone of Destiny inside.

It might look like a weathered piece of old rock,

but Edward I, King of England, knows it has huge value to the defeated Scots.

After seizing the Stone of Destiny, Edward's soldiers transport it to London,

where craftsmen build a new throne to hold it.

...