The Martyrs' Memorial, Greyfriars Churchyard

Category

Library Item

Item no

15328

Title

The Martyrs' Memorial, Greyfriars churchyard

Artist / maker

Inglis, Francis Caird

Date

1925

Size

21 x 16.5 cm

Type

Photograph; Reproduction

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Martyrs' Memorial, erected in 1706, commemorates 18,000 Covenanters who died for their faith. It marks the area where the remains of some hundred Covenanters executed in the nearby Grassmarket are buried. Most of the latter were beheaded and their heads placed on spikes above the gates into Edinburgh, such as the Netherbow Gate which once stood at the top of Canongate.

The inscription reads:

'Halt passenger take heed what thou dost see
This tomb doth shew for what some men did die
Here lies interr’d the dust of these who stood
Gainst perjury resisting unto blood
Adhering to the Covenants and Laws
Establishing the same which was the Cause
Then their lives were sacrificed unto the Lust
Or Prelatist’s abjur’d though here their dust
Lies mixt with murders and other crew
Whom justice did justly to death pursue
But as for this in them no cause was found
Worthy of death but only they were found
Constant and steadfast zealous witnessing
For the prerogatives of CHRIST their king
Which truths were feared by famous Guthrie’s head
And all along to Mr Ranwick’s blood
They did endure the wrath of enemies
Reproaches torments deaths and injuries
But yet they’re these who from such troubles came
And now triumph in glory with the LAMB

From May 27th 1661 that the noble Marquess of Argyle suffered to the 17th of Febr 1688 that Mr James Ranwick suffr’d were executed at Edinburgh about an hundred of Noblemen Gentlemen Ministers & others noble martyrs for JESUS CHRIST. The most part of them lies here.'

The last sentence refers to the beheadings and the fact that several martyrs had their heads, hands and arms hacked off and sent to their home areas as a warning to others who might resist the King.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Monuments > Memorial monuments

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Greyfriars Kirkyard

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Graveyards

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