of the forgeries
imposed on, and afterwards detected, by Wilford.

F.Q.

* * * * *

QUERIES.

BLACK ROOD OF SCOTLAND.

Can any of your correspondents give me any information on the following
points connected with "the Black Rood of Scotland?"

1. What was the history of this cross before it was taken into Scotland
by St. Margaret, on the occasion of her marriage with Malcolm, king of
Scotland? Did she get it in England or in Germany?

2. What was its size and make? One account describes it as made of gold,
and another (_Rites of Durham_, p. 16.) as of silver.

3. Was the "Black Rood of Scotland" the same as the "Holy Cross of
Holyrood House?" One account seems to make them the same: for in the
_Rites of Durham_, p. 16., we read,--

"At the east end of the south aisle of the choir, was a most
fair rood, or picture of our Saviour, _in silver_, called the
_Black Rood of Scotland_, brought out of Holyrood House by King
David Bruce, and was won at the battle of Durham, with the
picture of our Lady on the one side, and St. John on the other
side, very richly wrought in silver, all three having crowns of
gold," &c. &c.

Another account, in p. 21 of the same work, seems to make them
different; for, speaking of the battle of Neville's Cross (18th October,
1346), it says--

"In which said battle a _holy Cross_, which was taken out of
Holyrood House, in Scotland, by King David Bruce, was won and
taken," &c., p. 21.

And adds,--

"In which battle were slain seven earls of Scotland.... and also
lost _the said cross_, and many other most worthy and excellent
jewels ... together with the Black Rood of Scotland (so termed)
with Mary and John, made of silver, being, as it were, smoked
all over," &c., p. 22.

4. If they were the same, how is the legend concerning its discovery by
the king, upon Holyrood day, when hunting in a forest near Edinburgh, to
be reconciled with the fact of its being taken by St. Margaret into
Scotland? If they were not the same, what was the previous history of
each, and which was the cross of St. Margaret?

5. How is the account of Simeon of Durham, that the Black Rood was
bequeathed to Durham Priory by St. Margaret, to be reconciled with the
history of its being taken from the Scotch at the battle of Neville's
Cross?

6. May there not be a connexion between the legend of the discovery of
the "Ho