Martyr's Monument, Greyfriars

Category

Library Item

Item no

3556

Title

Martyr's Monument, Greyfriars

Description

A memorial monument with two side columns and an inscription in Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh. Railings can be seen on the left.

Artist / maker

Keith, Thomas

Date

1856

Size

27.8 x 24.8 cm

Type

Paper negative

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

From an early age the young author heard tales of Scots reformers, Covenanters, pirates and smugglers from his nurse Cummy, which had a strong influence on his writing career.

The Covenanters Memorial or Martyr's Monument was erected in 1706. It commemorates the roughly 18,000 Covenanters who were "one way or other murdered and destroyed" for their political and religious allegiance. Many of these men were imprisoned in Greyfriars Kirkyard before being executed in the Grassmarket.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, or Graveyard, is the burial ground of Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. It houses the graves of many notable historical figures including the poet Allan Ramsay, the geologist James Hutton and the architect William Adam. In 1679 several hundred Covenanters were imprisoned in the Kirkyard awaiting trial.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Columns

Architecture > Monuments > Memorial monuments

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Graveyards

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