Archaeology Notes

Event ID 732714

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/732714

NY27NE 1.01 2503 7534

(NY 2503 7534) Fair Helen's Tombstone (NR)

OS 6" map (1971)

See also NY27NE 1.00.

Not to be confused with Kirkconnel, Fair Helen's Cross (NY 2498 7537), for which see NY27NW 9.

Lying some 80 ft S of the E end of Kirkconnel Church (NT27NW 1.00) are four red sandstone graveslabs, two of which are dated 1632 while one is dated 1630. The fourth bears a weathered inscription, given by Pennant (1774) as 'Hic jacet Adam Fleming' in a style not inconsistent with an early 17th century date. The Adam Fleming in question is identified with the lover of 'Fair Helen of Kirkconnel Lea' (vide the poem of that name by Sir Walter Scott). According to the Glenriddell MSS he was buried in the same grave as the lady.

RCAHMS 1920, visited 1912.

Both Laing and Simpson refer to two separate tombstones, one the 'Adam Fleming' stone referred to above - its inscription is not now visible - and a second stone, traditionally marking the burial of 'Fair Helen'. The stone themselves are probably of 17th century date, though Pennant suggests that the events described in the legend took place in the time of James V or early in the reign of Mary. It is possible, however, that Helen Irving and Adam Fleming lived earlier; one source refers to an Adam Fleming being granted a safe conduct in the late 14th century, although this need not be the Adam Fleming of the legend.

T H McK Clough and L R Laing 1969; V G Childe and W D Simpson 1970

The gravestones of 'Fair Helen' and Adam Fleming are at NY 2503 7534. Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 16 October 1967.

No change.

Visited by OS (IA) 21 February 1973.