Information board next to 'Heads' Memorial, Hamilton Old Parish Church

Introduction

The photograph on this page of Information board next to 'Heads' Memorial, Hamilton Old Parish Church by Becky Williamson as part of the Geograph project.

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Information board next to 'Heads' Memorial, Hamilton Old Parish Church

Image: © Becky Williamson Taken: 12 Feb 2011

Writing on the information board: COVENANTERS MEMORIALS The Memorials on either side were erected to honour Covenanters killed for their support of a particular form of Church worship and organisation. They took their name from the National Covenant of 1638 which upheld the Protestant and Presbyterian system established in Scotland after the Reformation of 1560, and which opposed Charles I’s attempts to impose a more Episcopal order similar to the Anglican Church in England. The Covenanters not only sought religious freedom, but also the independence of Parliament from state control-political freedom. Opposition was widespread and consistent, and particularly strong in the area of west and south Scotland. Many people suffered fines, imprisonment, banishment or execution in the reign of Charles II (1660-85) and there were two major revolts which were defeated. The first began in Dalry (Kirkcudbrightshire), and ended at Rullion Green near Edinburgh, on November 28th in 1666. The stone to your left commemorates four men executed for their part in it. The second began at Drumclog, near Strathaven and ended at Bothwell Bridge on 22nd June 1679. The stone to your right commemorates three men executed for their part in that revolt. The violence did not end until the Revolution Settlement in 1690. At that time the Scottish Parliament under William and Mary passed an Act establishing the Presbyterian Government of the Church of Scotland which continues to this day. There are many other covenanting sites in this area worth visiting. For further information, visit Hamilton Museum in Muir Street. Erected by the Scottish Covenanters Memorials Association.

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Image Location

coordinates on a map icon
Latitude
55.776279
Longitude
-4.036973