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The
Martyrs Monument, Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh.
Within the Greyfriars Kirk yard stands the “Martyrs Memorial” which commemorates some 18,000 Covenanters who died for their faith . It also marks the area where the remains of some hundred Covenanters executed in the nearby Grassmarket are buried. As was the custom and practice most were beheaded and their heads placed on spikes above the gates into Edinburgh – the Netherbow Gate which once stood at the top of Canongate, was a populars one. Also several martyrs had their heads and hands and arms hacked off and sent to their home locality as a gruesome message to any one else minded to resist the King`s will. The last
line of the inscription is literally true –The most
part of them lies here.
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.
This Tomb
was erected anno 1706.
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