October 13, 2011
Rutherglen event that shaped the history of Scotland Comments Off
Rutherglen has always enjoyed a prominent role in Scottish history, from the belief it is the nation’s oldest Royal Burgh, to Sir John Menteith agreeing to betray William Wallace while plotting in the town, writes Douglas Dickie.
The Scottish Parliament even sat here for a period in 1300 – but there is one event that stands out in the history of the Royal Burgh for shaping the very future of the nation.
The Declaration of Rutherglen on May 29, 1679 set in motion a chain of events that would cement Presbyterianism as the national religion of Scotland.
On that day, a band of around 70 Covenanters rode into the town and effectively announced themselves as enemies of King Charles II
Angered by Charles’ desire to see an Episcopal-form of worship imposed on the Kirk and fuelled by a desire to worship God in their own way, the group decided to take action.
At Mercat Cross, the Reverend Thomas Douglas prayed and addressed the crowd before Sir Robert of Hamilton read out seven sections of the declaration.
The testimony was nailed to the cross, and the King’s statutes, including the Act of Supremacy, were taken down and burned.
It was at that time and unheralded denouncement of the divine right of King’s in Scotland, and according to author David Christie, a pivotal moment in the history of religious freedom.
The Declaration forms the start of a new book which has been written by David, Not Much of a Souldier.
It chronicles the formation of the famous Cameronians, the legendary Scottish regiment which finds its roots at this time.
David (73) served in the Cameronians when it was disbanded in 1968, having experienced action in Malaya, Borneo and Aden.
Despite living in South Africa for the past 40 years, he has maintained his avid interest in that period, completing a doctorate on the Cameronian role in preserving religious freedom.
And although events in May 1679 form only a small part of his book, he believes the Declaration of Rutherglen deserves to be remembered as one of the pivotal moments in Scottish history.
• Full story and interview at the Rutherglen Reformer.
