OS1/4/14/91
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site of BATTLE A.D. 1004 (Supposed) | St John's Church | Continued | 005.12 | Saint would lend his assistance in dislodging them. The superstitious soldiers, thinking this too good an offer for any Saint to Reject, made themselves sure of St. John's co-operation, and entered with alacrity into the plans of their leader; who, being now sufficiently Reinforced, sent a detachment Round by the head of the den, and these, fetching a compass by the south - west, succeeded in gaining possession of the top of the hill, directly over the Danish main camp, and, by Rolling down large Stones upon the invaders, obliged them to abandon it, and to make their escape by the north-east brow of the hill which overhangs the sea, where many were killed in the flight; whence the place obtained the name of Ghaemrie, or the Running battle. After being dislodged from the east, the Danes formed a new camp, (where the entrenchment are still to be seen), which still preserved their communications with the sea, and also with an extensive barren plain on the top of the hill. Mean time the whole Scottish army, in the fulfilment of their leader's vow, set to work and built the church on the spot where the Danes first settled, while both parties were waiting additional Reinforcements. The Danes having been joined by a party of their country men who had landed at Old Haven of Cullen, about four miles westward, made a successful attack on the Scots, and drove them back to the castle hill; and, in spite to St. John for assisting their enemies, they polluted his sanctuary by maKing it a Stable for their horses. *** Three of the Sacrilegious chiefs were discovered amongst the Slain, by whose orders the church had been polluted; and I have seen their sKulls, grinning horrid and hollow, in the wall whence they had been fixed, inside the church, directly east of the pulpit, and where they have Remained in their prison-house 800 years! After the church became a neglected Ruin, about 12 years ago, these Relics of antiquity (sKulls) were pilfered bit by bit, by some of the numerous visitors to the place, one was subsequently Recovered and placed, for greater Security, in the Museum of Lit [Literature], Inst [Institute]. Banff, where it is still to be seen,) and nothing of them now Remain but the holes in the wall in which they were imbedded." New Statistical Account This building was used as the parish church up to 1830, when a new church was erected on a more eligible [continued on page 92] |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 91Co. [County] of Banff -- Parish of Gamrie
[continued from page 90]
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Bizzy- Moderator, ruthmcd
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