Treasure Trove  

- The Blessing of Burntisland    

Standing at Burntisland's harbour mouth, you are within easy shot of a notable sea grave and treasure trove beyond comparision in British waters.  It is estimated that a treasure, valued today at over $1billion, lies within the crumbling wreck of a 17th centrury inshore barge, the 'Blessing of Burntisland'.  As work begins in earnest to locate & recover the treasure, it is worth recounting how it came to rest there with its unfortunate crew. 

Our story begins on a summer's day in 1633, and the main event of this day was the transit of King Charles I, his entourage and his Scots treasure through the bustling sea port of Burntisland.  The well appointed harbour was home to many sea faring vessels and also served as the primary Fife crossing point to the Port of Leith - a short ride from the King's Palace of Holyrood in Edinburgh.

The King was making a reluctant excursion to Scotland, with the primary motivation for the trip being his coronation as King of Scots.  An important secondary motive was the opportunity to relocate much of his Scots treasure to his more comfortable home in the Palace of Whitehall, England.   It is this treasure trail that makes our tale.

With the Coronation complete, the King set off from Edinburgh on a tour of his lowland domains, the return leg being via Falkland and Burntisland.  The King's party reached Burntisland on July 10, 1633 and immediately began loading vessels for the crossing to Leith.  A sea going vessel awaited the King's attendance in the Firth of Forth, and while the treasure was loaded onto one barge, the King made ready on another for his short trip to the waiting ship.    As the barges made their way to the larger waiting vessel, the wind picked-up fiercely, as it is prone to do in the exposed Firth.  The King might have coounted himself fortunate as he stepped aboard the larger vessel with its relative protection.   His spirits must have dipped greatly when he looked back to see his treasure laden barge briefly battle the rising water, before submitting meekly and sinking forever from the Kings despairing view.  Over thirty souls were lost with the King's treasure, and the event soured the King so that he immediately headed south for the comforts of Whitehall.

As divine ruler of his people, it must have brought some comfort to the King when he learned that it was not his slipping powers which had brought him close to his end in the Firth of Forth, but instead it was the intervention of Satan's demonic forces.  In the spirit of the time, this was efficiently dealt with, and the 19 witches identified as having a hand in the affair would have been fortunate to meet with a speedy end.

God Save the King !  and May God's Blessing be His Bounty !