HISTORIC TREASURES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 58, 10 March 1931, Page 11

HISTORIC TREASURES

! SCOTTISH RELICS SOLD I THE SWORD OE WALLACE I j Scottish historic treasures came I under the hammer recently at the sale lin Glasgow of effects from Loudoun I Castle. Ayrshire, the disposal of which ; was ordered by the trustee in the sc- ■ quest rut ion of the Countess of Loul down’s property. ! Among the Loudoun heirlooms sold were several of such Scottish national interest that apprehension was express cd least they should leave the country. They included a sword wielded by Sir William Wallace, and the quill pen with which the Treaty of Union was signed. Tho latter is the most precious of the i Loudoun heirlooms. Tho Earl of Loudoun in 1707 was Secretary of State, and. as a signatory of the Treaty of Union, he obtained possession of the quill with which that historymaking i document was signed, and which lias ever since remained in Loudoun Castle —in tlio grounds of which, by the way, it is said that tho Scottish Commissioners discussed the Treaty proposals under the nru-ient yew tree, now a thou, sand years old. The sword of William Wallace is one which the Scottish patriot used in many of his battles against England. It was presented to the Loulouns by Wallace's mother, who was related to the family; and it has hung in the entrance hail of Loudoun Castle ever since. AnoCv - r'dic sold was a chair whicn James VI ( f Scotland is said to hnvo used wl-or h-’ visited Ayrshi’c to at--1 end a v < u<’ - r g.