Athelstaneford
Athelstaneford is a village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the town of Haddington and lies approximately 20 miles east of Edinburgh. The village is also known locally as Elshingford.
According to popular legend, Athelstaneford is where the original Scottish saltire - the white diagonal cross on a sky blue background - was first adopted. On the eve of a battle between an army of the Picts and invading Angles from Northumbria (English) in 832AD, Saint Andrew, who was crucified on a diagonal cross, came to the Pictish King Óengus II in a vision promising victory. The next morning the Picts observed a white cross formed by clouds in the sky. They won the battle and attributed their victory to the blessing of Saint Andrew, adopting his form of the cross as their flag, and naming him as their patron saint.[1]
The leader of the retreating Angles, Athelstan,[2], was slain at a nearby river crossing, hence the name Athelstaneford. There are several versions of the story, of which this is one of the more popular. Whatever the truth, the legend has cemented Athelstaneford's place in Scotland's history.
The village is home to the National Flag Heritage Centre which occupies a lectern doocot built in 1583 and rebuilt in 1996. It is situated to the rear of the village church.[3]
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[edit] Other attractions
Today the village is surrounded by farmland and has little in the way of amenities. Tourists can follow the "Saltire Trail", a road route which passes by various local landmarks and places of historical interest.
Athelstaneford Parish Kirk has a connection with the author Nigel Tranter who was a prominent supporter of the Scottish Flag Trust. He married in the church, and in April 2008 a permanent exhibition of his memorabilia was mounted in the north transept of the church. Items include a copy of Nigel Tranter's old typewriter, a collection of manuscripts and books, and other personal items. The display was previously at Lennoxlove House, and prior to that at Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Lawson, John Parker (1848). "History of the Abbey and Palace of Holyroodhouse". p. 169. http://books.google.com/books?id=qh4NAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA169&dq=battle+athelstaneford+Andrew&as_brr=3&ei=mcJNSsrAHqr0ygS218jhAg.
- ^ Not to be confused with Athelstan, the 10th Century King of England. Some accounts describe him only as a leader, not a king. In 832, Eanred, King of Northumbria
- ^ "National Flag Heritage Centre". http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide/5,en,SCH1/objectId,SIG49724Svs,curr,GBP,season,at1,selectedEntry,home/home.html. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
[edit] External links
- grid reference NT534773
- The History of the Saltire at visitscotland.com
- The Scottish Saltire at Flags of the World
- The Scottish Flag Trust The trust has responsibility for the upkeep and operational costs of the Heritage Centre and the Saltire Memorial in Athelstaneford
[edit] See also
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