One of the first posts I ever wrote was about the Dunbar Martyrs. To avoid repeating the story you can read it here. Since my post, nearly two years ago, there has been progress.
Rather than give my version of the progress, the following are two emails received from George Wilson, who has campaigned tirelessly to have these Scots acknowledged. Also the present Dean, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove must be praised for his understanding, co-operation and courtesy during my own brief dealings with him.
We must remember our history, both good and bad and it seems like this small piece will have a fitting end. When I receive the date of the commemoration service I will post it here in case anyone lives near enough and wishes to attend.
During 2010 the Fabric Advisory Committee, which is the statutory body which has to approve changes to the fabric of the Cathedral, met and agreed to proceed with the installation of a memorial plaque at the Cathedral. The Cathedral has finalised the following wording after consultation with Historic Scotland and input from ourselves:
"IN MEMORY OF SCOTS CAPTURED
AT THE BATTLE OF DUNBAR IN 1650
WHO WERE IMPRISONED IN THIS CATHEDRAL
MANY HUNDREDS DIED
DURING THIER IMPRISONMENT
THEIR BURIAL PLACE IS UNKNOWN"
The plaque will be located in the Chapel of the Nine Altars, St Margaret of Scotland Altar Bay, which is quite fitting. Already, commonly known as, "Scot's corner", I'm told! There is a place at the Altar to kneel and pay respects.
After some further dialogue with the Cathedral I managed to gain agreement to the inclusion of a Scot's thistle in the plaque design.
During 2010 the Cathedral Architect has been slow to take matters forward. Just prior to Christmas I was in contact with the Dean, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove and spoke to Philip Davies, Chapter Clerk. They both assure me that the plaque will be completed and installed in 2011.
If you wish to contribute to the cost of the plaque you can do so via the website JustGiving.co.uk on the following link:http://www.justgiving.com/George-Wilson0. I will run the Edinburgh Marathon in May in aid of the campaign. Needless to say, by donating you will be personally contributing to creation of this plaque which will be significant in Scot's culture and heritage in remembrance of the soldiers that died. The Cathedral have yet to confirm the exact cost of creation and installation of the plaque.
I will, of course, keep you posted and also as regards any commemoration service.
Kind regards,
Email No 2
I have had a couple of queries relating sending a cheque direct to the Cathedral. If you wish to do so, please send to:
Mr Philip Davies,
Chapter Clerk,
Durham Cathderal,
The College
Durham
United Kingdom DH1 3EH
If it were also possible for you to email me and let me know the amount then I would take it off our fundraising total.
Posts
2 comments:
Another nice history lesson & interesting posting with a positive result.
Finding your Blog part-way through 2010 meant I'd missed the original posting; but your link made it easy for late-comers to read the background.
All battles & warfare were brutal 360 years ago, there being no Geneva Convention. Whichever side was victorious treated the surviving vanquished similarly.
Thanks Joe. Aye they were. So many battles were forgotten, this being one of them but it's the distances these thousands of men walked (both from south and north) that never cease to amaze.
Post a Comment