The Scottish Soldiers
Set into the floor next to the St. Margaret Altar is a memorial plaque.
Engraved with a thistle, the symbol of Scotland, it reads ‘In Memory of the Scots captured at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 who were imprisoned in this Cathedral. Many hundreds died during their imprisonment.’
History
During the English Civil War (1642-51) all English Cathedrals were closed by order of Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector. At Durham, the Dean and Chapter was disbanded, and in 1650 the empty Cathedral was used as a prison for around 3,000 Scottish soldiers, captured at the battle of Dunbar.
Conditions were very bad, and many of the soldiers died from malnutrition or disease. Most of the Cathedral’s wooden furniture was lost at this time, as the soldiers burned it to try to keep warm. Those who survived were later used as forced labour: some in local industries, some in Cambridgeshire or France, and others transported as indentured servants to America. There are descendents of these soldiers still living in the USA today.
Did you know?
- The memorial plaque was installed in 2011.
- It originally also read that the soldiers’ burial place was unknown, but in 2013 their grave was discovered between the Cathedral and the Castle during building work at Palace Green Library.
- The plaque was updated in 2017, and the remains of the soldiers were reburied at the nearby Elvet Hill Road Cemetery in 2018.
Follow the guided tour
You’re in: The Chapel of the Nine Altars You’re at: The Scottish Soldiers Next stop: Altar frontals
- Look up at the alter next to the plaque
- This is one of three alters in the Chapel of the Nine Alters
- Have a look at the fabric coverings decorating them