Some 17th century portraits are so good that with only slight adjustments, modern technology can give us a much better idea of what these historic figures actually looked like. One example is the man pictured here, George Gillespie, who was born on this day, 21st January 1613. A man who isn’t as well known in…
On this day in 1644, a large Scottish Covenanter army crossed the border and marched into England. Civil war between the king and the Parliament had broke out in August 1642. By 1643, after the king had won a number of battles, Parliament began to look for help from Scotland. The Covenanters had already pledged…
This quiet spot at Blairgowrie and Rattray marks the birthplace of Rev. Donald Cargill — one of the great figures of the Scottish Covenanters. Educated at the University of St Andrews, he immersed himself in the writings of John Knox and Andrew Melville, but it was his tutor, Samuel Rutherford, who most deeply shaped his…
This excerpt comes from a joint declaration issued by ten Covenanters who were executed at the Market Cross of Edinburgh on the 7th December 1666, for their involvement in the Pentland Rising. The men were: John M’Culloch, John Shields, Andrew Arnot, James Hamilton, John Gordon, Robert Gordon, John Parker, Christopher Strang, John Ross, and Gavin…
November 24th 1572 On this day, the last day of his life, the Scottish Reformer John Knox could barely stand, barely see, and barely speak. Yet his mind and heart were still anchored where they had always been—on the Word of God. As he lay dying, his friends gathered around him and read Scripture at…
On this day, 2nd May 1559, John Knox arrives back in Scotland after several years in Geneva, to help lead Scotland in Reformation. It was a dangerous and uncertain time in Scotland and Knox expresses this in a letter he wrote the next day to his friend Anne Locke. “I am uncertain as yet what…
On this day 1625, Charles I becomes King on the death of his father James VI/I. Although born in Scotland, Charles had left the country as a child, only returning in 1633 for his Scottish coronation. The same year he made William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury. Scottish church matters gained more attention from Charles and…
On this day in 1603, King James VI of Scotland becomes King James I of England on the death of Elizabeth I. For Scottish Presbyterians, the struggle against Prelacy would get tougher. The following year in 1604 the king tried to stop the General Assembly from meeting. The next year the Assembly met without his…
Today is the anniversary of the martyrdom of George Wishart. Burnt at the stake in St Andrews on this day 1546. George Wishart was a mentor and close friend of John Knox, who actually became his bodyguard and carried a two handed sword for Wishart’s protection. Wishart preached throughout Scotland before finally being arrested and…
Today is the 387th anniversary of the signing of the National Covenant. By February 1638, Scottish Presbyterians were facing accusations of treason from the king due to their opposition to bishops, the Book of Canons, and the Book of Common Prayer. Recognizing the need for unity in defending their faith, they decided to renew the…
