Post by Elly on Aug 5, 2005 9:45:05 GMT 10
Greyfriars is one of Edinburgh's most famous kirkyards. Many stories are linked to Greyfriars but the one known best is that of Greyfriars Bobby. The Skye terrier was a faithful dog who refused to leave the grave of his master, John Gray, upon his death. For many years he watched over the grave, stirring the emotions of the people. He was built a shelter nearby and was fed regularly. The story of Greyfriars Bobby spread and soon, his story became one of Edinburgh's unique stories. When Bobby died, he was buried in Greyfriars. A bronze statue was sculpted for the small dog, which now stands just outside the kirk gates. Greyfriars Bobby (the statue) is now one of the many Edinburgh attractions. Travellers and visitors come to Greyfriars to learn his story and take pictures beside him.
Also linked to Greyfriars is the case of the "Resurrection Men". In the 18th and 19th century, Edinburgh University has become one of the finest in the world. Its medical department was equally revered with an excellent anatomy department. But to teach anatomy, a constant supply of bodies was needed, so a whole new career started: body snatching. The Resurrection Men would sneak into Greyfriars at night and dig up recently buried corpses to sell to the medical students at the university for as much as 12 pounds each. In many cemeteries of the time towers had to be built so that guards could keep watch over the graves, but guards can be bribed. It was not unusual to see families, rich and poor huddled round the graves of recently deceased relatives. They kept watch day and night until the bodies of their loved ones had decomposed enough to be useless to the anatomists and of no further use to their suppliers. In the kirkyard you can still see today the "mort safes", cage-like devices intended to protect fresh corpses.
However, these mysteries of Greyfriars fade away in the dark of the night. During the day, Greyfriars is one of the most peaceful places in Edinburgh. People love coming here to have lunch, spend time with their thoughts or even do some work. Today, its mysterious history is left alone and people prefer to think of Greyfriars as the home of Greyfriars Bobby.
One can spend hours in the kirkyard trying to decipher the engraving on the gravestones. Many of them are so very old, even from the 13th century and many of them are written in Latin.
Greyfriars Kirkyard is the resting place of many famous Edinburgh characters. Reading the engagements can unveil a series of stories that include people from the 13th to the early 20th century as well as historic events. However, many of the older gravestones are worn out by the wind and rain.
.
In Greyfriars were buried not only rich people but poorer people as well. However, the difference between the two types of graves is striking.
Not only is the quality of the stone better (proved by the fact some of them wear out quicker than others) but because of the location, fanciness of the engraving etc. On the sides of Greyfriars Kirkyard there are family vaults protected by key.
Greyfriars is such a peaceful place that people come here to relax,, or even draw. The kirkyard is filled with people at lunch time. Some say it is one of the few places in Edinburgh where one can meditate.
The site occupied by Greyfriars Kirk and the very well known graveyard surrounding it has had religious connections from very early times. In 1436 James the 1st founded a Franciscan Convent devoted to the order of Observatines in the area of the Grassmarket and the ground where the kirk now stands formed at least part of the garden of the convent.
In 1547 the monastery was burned during the English invasion of Scotland. It seems likely that Edinburgh became a prime target for the English army to wreak devastation as they had done all the way from the Borders. From all accounts it would appear that the convent was never restored after being put to the torch.
The next significant episode in the pre-history of Greyfriars occurred in 1562 when Mary Queen of Scots granted the former convent garden to the Town Council for use as a burial ground. However, it was not until 1566 that magistrates appropriated the garden.
In the pages of the Greyfriars Presbyterian Church web site is the following. The building of Greyfriars Kirk began in 1602 re-using stonework from the Dominican convent at Sciennes and was the first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation. Progress was slow and the new church did not open until Christmas Day 1620.
During its long history Greyfriars would bear witness to historical events both far-reaching and at times tragic as exemplified by the first signing of the National Covenant in 1638 and then the aftermath of the Battle of Bothwell Brig in 1679. This concerned the cruel and inhumane confinement in the southwest corner of the kirkyard, of hundreds of Covenanters taken prisoner after the battle. It is recorded 'for five months, without shelter from the elements, with no other food than four ounces of bread daily and a mouthful of water they languished here.
Further if by chance any of them rose from the ground where they slept during the night, they would be shot at by the guards. Worse was to follow for those who survived the merciless treatment they had received. They were sentenced to be transported to Barbados and on arrival there provide slave labour on the plantations, however the boat carrying them was wrecked on the coast of Orkney and only forty souls survived.
Some of the graves are very old, some as far back as the 13th century and many are written in latin.
Also linked to Greyfriars is the case of the "Resurrection Men". In the 18th and 19th century, Edinburgh University has become one of the finest in the world. Its medical department was equally revered with an excellent anatomy department. But to teach anatomy, a constant supply of bodies was needed, so a whole new career started: body snatching. The Resurrection Men would sneak into Greyfriars at night and dig up recently buried corpses to sell to the medical students at the university for as much as 12 pounds each. In many cemeteries of the time towers had to be built so that guards could keep watch over the graves, but guards can be bribed. It was not unusual to see families, rich and poor huddled round the graves of recently deceased relatives. They kept watch day and night until the bodies of their loved ones had decomposed enough to be useless to the anatomists and of no further use to their suppliers. In the kirkyard you can still see today the "mort safes", cage-like devices intended to protect fresh corpses.
However, these mysteries of Greyfriars fade away in the dark of the night. During the day, Greyfriars is one of the most peaceful places in Edinburgh. People love coming here to have lunch, spend time with their thoughts or even do some work. Today, its mysterious history is left alone and people prefer to think of Greyfriars as the home of Greyfriars Bobby.
One can spend hours in the kirkyard trying to decipher the engraving on the gravestones. Many of them are so very old, even from the 13th century and many of them are written in Latin.
Greyfriars Kirkyard is the resting place of many famous Edinburgh characters. Reading the engagements can unveil a series of stories that include people from the 13th to the early 20th century as well as historic events. However, many of the older gravestones are worn out by the wind and rain.
.
In Greyfriars were buried not only rich people but poorer people as well. However, the difference between the two types of graves is striking.
Not only is the quality of the stone better (proved by the fact some of them wear out quicker than others) but because of the location, fanciness of the engraving etc. On the sides of Greyfriars Kirkyard there are family vaults protected by key.
Greyfriars is such a peaceful place that people come here to relax,, or even draw. The kirkyard is filled with people at lunch time. Some say it is one of the few places in Edinburgh where one can meditate.
The site occupied by Greyfriars Kirk and the very well known graveyard surrounding it has had religious connections from very early times. In 1436 James the 1st founded a Franciscan Convent devoted to the order of Observatines in the area of the Grassmarket and the ground where the kirk now stands formed at least part of the garden of the convent.
In 1547 the monastery was burned during the English invasion of Scotland. It seems likely that Edinburgh became a prime target for the English army to wreak devastation as they had done all the way from the Borders. From all accounts it would appear that the convent was never restored after being put to the torch.
The next significant episode in the pre-history of Greyfriars occurred in 1562 when Mary Queen of Scots granted the former convent garden to the Town Council for use as a burial ground. However, it was not until 1566 that magistrates appropriated the garden.
In the pages of the Greyfriars Presbyterian Church web site is the following. The building of Greyfriars Kirk began in 1602 re-using stonework from the Dominican convent at Sciennes and was the first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation. Progress was slow and the new church did not open until Christmas Day 1620.
During its long history Greyfriars would bear witness to historical events both far-reaching and at times tragic as exemplified by the first signing of the National Covenant in 1638 and then the aftermath of the Battle of Bothwell Brig in 1679. This concerned the cruel and inhumane confinement in the southwest corner of the kirkyard, of hundreds of Covenanters taken prisoner after the battle. It is recorded 'for five months, without shelter from the elements, with no other food than four ounces of bread daily and a mouthful of water they languished here.
Further if by chance any of them rose from the ground where they slept during the night, they would be shot at by the guards. Worse was to follow for those who survived the merciless treatment they had received. They were sentenced to be transported to Barbados and on arrival there provide slave labour on the plantations, however the boat carrying them was wrecked on the coast of Orkney and only forty souls survived.
Some of the graves are very old, some as far back as the 13th century and many are written in latin.
