The Killing Time

This article is about the period in Scottish history. For the film, see The Killing Time (film). For other uses, see Killing Time (disambiguation).

The Killing Time
Part of the Restoration

James Renwick executed in 1688
Datec. 1680 – 1688
Location
Kingdom of Scotland (predominantly southwest)
Result Presbyterianism accepted in 1690 Act of Settlement
Belligerents
Covenanters (Presbyterians) Privy Council (Episcopalians and monarchy)
Commanders and leaders
Casualties and losses
c.100 executions[1]
Margaret Wilson, one of the 'Wigtown Martyrs', executed by drowning in the incoming tide of the Solway Firth (1685).
The Scottish Parliament on 8th May, 1685 have recorded the following: Our Soveraign Lord, considering the obstinacy of the fanatical party who, notwithstanding all the laws formerly made against them, still keep their house and field conventicles, which are the nurseries and rendezvouses of rebellion; therefore His Majesty, with consent of Parliament, ordains that all such persons who shall hereafter preach at such house or field conventicles, also those who shall be present as hearers, shall be punished by death and confiscation of their goods.[2]
Edinburgh, May the 8th, 1685. Our Soveraign Lord and the Estates of Parliament, do here by Declare that the giving or taking of the National Covenant as explained in the Year 1638 or of the League and Covenant, so commonly called, or writing in defence thereof or owning them as Lawful or Obligatory on themselves or others shall infer the Crime and pains of Treason.[3]

The Killing Time was a period of conflict in Scottish history between the Presbyterian Covenanter movement, based largely in the southwest of the country, and the government forces of Kings Charles II and James VII. The period, roughly from 1679 to the Glorious Revolution of 1688, was subsequently called The Killing Time by Robert Wodrow in his The History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland from the Restoration to the Revolution, published in 1721–22. It is an important episode in the martyrology of the Church of Scotland.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference ocsh was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Hewison, James King (1908). The Covenanters, a history of the church in Scotland from the Reformation to the Revolution. Vol. 2. Glasgow: J. Smith. pp. 413-454. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  3. ^ Hewison 1908.