Seven picturesque corners

Category

Library Item

Item no

10139

Title

Seven picturesque corners

Description

From a watercolour by John Blair. A montage of seven scenes depicts White Horse Close, John Knox's House, the Martyr's Monument at old Greyfriars, the West door of Holyrood Chapel, Queen Mary's bedroom at Holyrood, Saint Antony's Well and Mons Meg.

Artist / maker

Blair, John

Engraver

Goupil & Cie

Date

1892

Size

35.3 x 44.8 cm

Type

Lithograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

White Horse Close is located just off the Canongate close to Holyroodhouse. There is no evidence of the White Horse Inn ever having served as an Inn, although it does seem to have been built for this purpose. The Close may derive its name from having been the site of the palace stables. It may even be a specific reference to one of Mary Queen of Scot's horses. The date of the building's construction is unclear, as at least two different dates have been displayed on the window-head at various times.

John Knox's House, reputedly the home of the 16th century Protestant Reformer, is situated on the High Street in Edinburgh. It dates from the late 15th century or early 16th century. It was restored in the 19th century. It is now owned by the Church of Scotland and is opened to the public as a museum.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is the Queen's official residence in Scotland. The site was founded as an Augustian monastery in 1128 by David I, after he had a vision of a stag with a rood or cross on its forehead. In 1501 James IV built a palace close to the Abbey. The Palace was home to Mary Queen of Scots from 1561-1567. It also played host to Cromwell's troops during the English Civil War, during which time it suffered extensive fire damage. It was significantly rebuilt and extended by Charles II, though he never stayed there. In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie held court there after seizing control of Edinburgh. Queen Victoria revived its use as a royal residence.

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.

Mons Meg is a large siege gun presented to James II by Philip, Duke of Burgundy in 1457. It is one of a pair constructed in Mons in present day Belgium. The gun's sheer size limited its mobility and therefore its military utility. Mons Meg continued to be used for ceremonial purposes until 1681 when it burst whilst being fired to celebrate the Duke of Albany's birthday. It was repaired but has not been fired since.

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Related subjects

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Greyfriars Kirkyard

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Holyrood Abbey

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Holyrood Palace

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > John Knox's House

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > St Anthony's Chapel

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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