Black Rood

This historical exploration reveals the significance of the Black Rood, a lost Scottish crown jewel entwined with royal legacy and national identity.

The book Black Rood delves into the rich history of one of Scotland's most significant crown jewels, a relic steeped in mystery and legend. This captivating narrative explores the journey of the Black Rood, a gold and jewel-studded reliquary that housed a piece of the True Cross. Following its clandestine arrival in Scotland after the Norman invasion, the Black Rood became an emblem of royal authority and legitimacy for Scotland's kings, particularly after it was brought into the Scottish royal family through the marriage of King Malcolm III and the sister of the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.

Black Rood intricately weaves together the lives of Scottish and English royalty, illustrating how they honored, fought over, and sometimes perished with this sacred artifact in their grasp. David Willem's narrative spans a millennium, showcasing the profound impact the Black Rood had on the identity and autonomy of Scotland, positioning it as a kingdom equal to, if not superior to, England in the eyes of God. The author also draws parallels with other reliquaries, such as the Croes Gneth of Wales and Ireland’s Cross of Cong, which similarly shaped the national identities of their respective nations.

As the story unfolds, readers are left with the tantalizing mystery of the Black Rood's fate. The book concludes by exploring the possibility that this treasured artifact may still exist, echoing the fate of the Cross of Cong. In doing so, Black Rood offers a fresh perspective on the intricate relationships between Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland, particularly as these dynamics evolve in contemporary times.