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The covenanters put into very simple terms, the people
of Scotland who signed the national covenant in 1638. This covenant confirmed
their opposition to the interference by the Stuart Kings in the affairs of the
Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
The Stuart Kings believed in the divine right of the Monarch, whereas the
Covenanters couldn't accept that the King was the spiritual head of the church
(only Jesus Christ could be the spiritual head of any church). This belief
clearly put them at odds with the Crown and they were willing to fight for their
beliefs.
King Charles 1 had introduced the book of common prayer in 1637 and any
dissension (such as preaching) from this, became an act punishable by heavy
fines or ultimately death and in 1638 the National Covenant was signed (signed
to refuse to conform with the king), thus beginning the group we now know as The
Covenanters.
These times became known as “the killing times” and were a particularly dark
period in Scottish history. There were a few battles such as those at Drumclog,
where armed worshippers routed the battle hardened Dragoons led by John Graham
of Claverhouse (later Viscount Dundee).
Unfortunately for the Covenanters the success was short lived and they were
heavily defeated at the battle of Bothwell Bridge some three weeks later.
Following their defeat conditions, worsened for the covenanters and memorials
can be found all over southwest Scotland testifying to this. Some are to be
found in Kirk yards whilst many will be found on open hillside marking the spot
where many, trapped, offered the chance to make an oath of allegiance, refused
and were summarily executed.