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List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
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Site of CHURCH OF MONZIEVAIRD [Mausoleum on] | Mausoleum | [Continued] united their respective parties, and the Murrays being now out-numbered, were in there turn forced to retreat, and take refuge within the walls of the church of Monzievaird. There, for a time, they eluded the search of the "avengers";and the Master of Drummond was at length about to give up the quest, when, unfortunately one of the Murrays observing a Highlander within musket-shot of the church, and unable even in such perilous circumstances, to restrain his thirst for blood, forced upon him, and thus at once attracted the notice of their presences,and increased their appetite for revenge. The sacredness of the plan afforded no protection to its inmates, but for a while its natural advantages promised to stand them in better stead. To the summons of surrender the Murrays returned a haughty defiance, and for a time repelled all the assaults of their foes. At length the Drummonds, unable to draw them from their retreat, or to force its defences, called for fire,and instantly the heath-covered church was enveloped in flames.No quarter was given by the infuriated Drummonds, and all within the church perished on the spot. James IV administered the law of the Kingdom too firmly and impartially to allow this bloody massacre to pass unpunished; and William the Master of Drummond, son of John, first Lord Drummond, was immediately apprehended, and conveyed to Stirling where he, with several of his followers, was tried, condemned and beheaded. According to one tradition, twenty three men perished in this scene of outrage. In the Rev. [Reverend] Mr. Porteous's account, it is more generally stated that "a great number were burned to death;" while Sir Walter Scott, in the introduction to the "Legend of Montrose"(Waverley Novels Vol 15) makes the number "eight score of the Murrays,with their wives and children;" and adds that one of the Murrays was permitted to escape from the burning Kirk by a Drummond, upon whom he had formerly conferred a favour. The fact of such a scene having occurred on this spot is beyond a doubt. In 1809, on laying the foundation of the mausoleum on the site of the old "heath-covered Kirk", a quantity of charred wood was found, supposed to be the remains of part of the timber burned in 1511. Statistical Account |
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[Page] 26Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Trondragirl- Moderator, Anne Baker
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