Now that we have met the Stuarts and been introduced to the concept of material culture, let’s look at our first iconic object.

What is it?

In this short film, Assistant Curator Adrienne Hynes examines this ampulla said to have contained anointing oil used at the Scottish coronation of Charles I in 1633.

Why is it important?

The Stuarts exercised their power through absolute monarchy which they justified through their faith in the divine right of kings.

They believed they were only accountable to God.

We will see how this led to conflict with church and state.

While you watch the film consider what this tells us about how Stuart kings understood their right to rule as being divinely ordained.