Moray House, Canongate

Category

Library Item

Item no

8450

Title

Moray House, Canongate

Description

Soldiers fight with pikes and swords on the road outside Moray House in the Canongate, Edinburgh. A man is leaning over the balcony of the house. A woman with two children has a fearful expression on her face as she flees the mêlée. The clock of the Canongate Tolbooth can be seen.

Artist / maker

Nash, Joseph

Date

1854

Size

29.4 x 41 cm

Type

Lithograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Moray House is located on the Canongate in Edinburgh. It was built around 1625 for the Dowager Countess of Home. It was named after her daughter Margaret Countess of Moray who inherited it in 1643. During the 1640's it played host to both Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. The Marquis of Montrose passed by the house on the way to his execution in 1650, and was taunted from the balcony by the Marquis of Argyll and others who had gathered there for his son's wedding. In 1661, following the restoration, the Marquis of Argyll was to pass by the same spot on the way to his own execution on the 'Maiden' (Edinburgh's guillotine).

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Balconies

Events > Disturbances > Conflicts

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

People > Military activities > Soldiers

Places > Edinburgh areas > Canongate

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

(55°57′4″N, 3°10′50″W)

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