Scotsman Archive: Holyrood Lectern, 17 March, 1932

Published on 16/03/2009 20:58

A DEFINITE refusal was intimated some time ago by the incumbent of St Stephen's Church, St Albans, to consider the claim of Edinburgh Corporation for the return of the brass lectern, which was carried off from Holyrood in a raid on Edinburgh in the 16th century.

The refusal to part with this interesting piece of church furniture, or to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, proceeds on expressions of doubt as to the lectern ever having been in Holyrood… It is desirable that an erroneous presentation of the facts should not be accepted without demur. Sir Andrew Grierson, Town-Clerk of Edinburgh, has sent a further letter this week saying the foundation of the claim is that the lectern was presented to Holyrood Abbey by Bishop Crichton, was taken away from Holyrood at the time of the Hertford Raid of 1544 by Sir Richard Lee, and was afterwards presented to St Stephen's Church by Sir Richard.

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