Sir Walter Scott and the Scottish Crown Jewels

In the early 18th century, the Scottish Crown Jewels, which included a crown, sceptre, and sword, went missing from Edinburgh Castle, the historic fortress that has served as a symbol of Scottish royalty and power for centuries. For many years, the location of the Jewels remained a mystery, until the Scottish government appointed a commission to search for them in 1818. One of the commissioners was Walter Scott, a prominent Scottish author and literary figure who was known for his historical novels and poetry. Scott’s involvement in the search for the Crown Jewels would prove to be a pivotal moment in his career, and would help to enhance his reputation as one of the leading voices of Scottish literature.

In August 1818, Scott and the other commissioners began their investigation by conducting a thorough search of Edinburgh Castle, the site where the Crown Jewels had last been seen. The search, however, yielded no results, and it became clear that the Jewels were not to be found within the Castle walls.

Then in September of 1818, Scott received a letter from a man named George Smith, who claimed to have knowledge of the location of the Crown Jewels. Smith, a former locksmith who had worked at the Castle in the 1700s, had kept the secret of the Jewels’ whereabouts for many years, but now felt compelled to reveal the truth. Scott and the other commissioners met with Smith, who provided them with a detailed account of where he had hidden the Jewels. According to Smith, he had hidden the Jewels in a secret chamber within the walls of Edinburgh Castle, which had been sealed up for many years.

In November of that year, Scott and the commissioners made their way to the Castle to investigate the hidden chamber. After breaking through the wall, they found a chest containing the Crown Jewels, which had been hidden away for over a century. The discovery was a major triumph for the commission, and marked a significant moment in Scottish history.

In January 1819, Scott and the other commissioners presented the recovered Crown Jewels to King George IV during his visit to Scotland. The recovery of the Jewels was a momentous occasion, and marked a turning point in the history of Scottish royalty. For Scott, the recovery of the Jewels helped to enhance his reputation as a prominent Scottish literary figure, and contributed to the mythology surrounding both the Jewels and the Castle.

In 1821, Scott published “The Fortunes of Nigel,” a novel that featured a subplot involving the search for the Crown Jewels. The novel was a critical and commercial success, and helped to further cement Scott’s place as one of the leading writers of his time. The recovery of the Crown Jewels had captivated the public’s imagination, and Scott’s role in the investigation had helped to elevate his status as a cultural icon.

Walter Scott’s involvement in the search for the Scottish Crown Jewels was a defining moment in his career, and marked a significant moment in Scottish history. Through his detective work, historical research, and literary achievements, Scott helped to elevate the story of the Crown Jewels to the level of myth and legend, and cemented his own place as one of Scotland’s most enduring and beloved cultural figures.