Scottish Crown Jewels and the Minister's Wife: A Cromwellian Mystery

In 1651 Oliver Cromwell invaded Scotland and attempted to seize the Scottish Honours--the country's crown jewels, the symbol of the spirit and soul of Scotland--in order to destroy them and further his Parliamentarian cause. In a desperate bid to save the Regalia from certain destruction, local minister James Granger and his wife Christian Fletcher rescued the jewels from under the noses of the English. Christian Fletcher hid the Honours under her skirt while escaping and buried them in the graveyard of the local church for safety. Together with her husband, she protected the Crown Jewels for eight long years until the political changes of the Restoration meant it was safe to return them to their rightful place. But in the muddy waters of history, the name of Christian Fletcher has been long forgotten. In her place, a local Marshall, John Keith, was given credit for the safekeeping of the jewels and was granted the Earldom of Balfour for his supposed heroic efforts. This amazing account uncovers a set of incredible letters between James Granger and John Keith's mother and reconstructs the truth about the missing Scottish Crown Jewels. In a tale of indescribable bravery and undeserved glory, Christian Fletcher's true sacrifices for country are finally unveiled.