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The Wreck of the 'Crown of London'
During the 17th century, various attempts were made by the king and government to impose the Anglican or episcopal mode of worship in Scotland. This led to the signing in 1638 of the National Covenant, in which the Scots Presbyterians rejected attempts to interfere with the organisation and doctrines of the Church of Scotland. See Link
.
This in turn led to a series of wars during much of the 17th century, in which efforts were made to crush the dissenters and enforce Anglicanism. The period became known as 'The Killing Times' because of the numbers of people who were hunted out and put to death by government troops because of their religious views.
The final battle took place at Bothwell Bridge on 22 June 1679. Government troops decisively beat the Covenanters' army, and took 1184 prisoners.
The prisoners were held in the grounds of Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh, where the original National Covenant had been signed. By December 1679 only 257 were left, and they were put aboard the 'Crown of London' at Leith Docks to be transported to the colonies in America as slaves.
On 10 December 1679, a storm blew up when the ship reached Orcadian waters, but the captain elected not to seek shelter, and the ship was driven shore at Scarva Taing in Deerness. He ordered the hatches to remain locked to prevent the prisoners escaping, but a crew member disobeyed this order and passed a key to some of the prisoners, allowing 48 to escape. The rest were drowned in the wreck.
A monument was erected nearby by public subscription in 1888. Most of those who were lost were buried nearby; the existence of the graves is shown on the maps but they are not very obvious on the ground.
.This in turn led to a series of wars during much of the 17th century, in which efforts were made to crush the dissenters and enforce Anglicanism. The period became known as 'The Killing Times' because of the numbers of people who were hunted out and put to death by government troops because of their religious views.
The final battle took place at Bothwell Bridge on 22 June 1679. Government troops decisively beat the Covenanters' army, and took 1184 prisoners.
The prisoners were held in the grounds of Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh, where the original National Covenant had been signed. By December 1679 only 257 were left, and they were put aboard the 'Crown of London' at Leith Docks to be transported to the colonies in America as slaves.
On 10 December 1679, a storm blew up when the ship reached Orcadian waters, but the captain elected not to seek shelter, and the ship was driven shore at Scarva Taing in Deerness. He ordered the hatches to remain locked to prevent the prisoners escaping, but a crew member disobeyed this order and passed a key to some of the prisoners, allowing 48 to escape. The rest were drowned in the wreck.
A monument was erected nearby by public subscription in 1888. Most of those who were lost were buried nearby; the existence of the graves is shown on the maps but they are not very obvious on the ground.
by Anne Burgess
Created: Sat, 26 Aug 2023, Updated: Sat, 26 Aug 2023
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