View of gravestone. Digital image of B 4394/0

Description View of gravestone. Digital image of B 4394/0

Date 1991

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 801033

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of B 4394/0

Scope and Content Gravestone commemorating Alex Broun, Libberton Parish Church and Churchyard, South Lanarkshire These emblems offer an insight into Alex Broun's hopes and beliefs. The winged figure represents his soul, ascending to Heaven after his death, which is signified by the skull, cross bones and hourglass below. The arrangement of these symbols is also significant: as the winged soul rises above the emblems of death, it signifies a belief that the soul would triumph over mortal death by rising to Heaven. Post-Reformation gravestones like this are an important part of the nation's heritage, documenting the lives of ordinary Scots who would otherwise leave little record of their existence. Through the decorative carvings and inscriptions it is possible to learn more about the lives of these people, what they did for a living and even the clothes they wore and what they looked like. This gravestone commemorates Alex Broun, a portioner or small landowner, who died in 1698 at the age of 64. His son, Alex Broun, is also buried here, having died in 1740 aged 64. The inscription, now badly weathered in places, reads: 'THE BURIAL PLACE OF/ALEX BROUN PORTIONER/MILNRIDGE WHO DIED THE/26 OF[...]1698 AND/OF HIS AGE 64/AS ALSO HIS SON ALEX/BROUN PORTIONER THERE/WHO DIED OCTR 1740/AGED 64'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/801033

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap