Sonnett_David's Photobucket Greyfriars album media

Sonnett at the Gate!

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:44:08 MDT

Sonnett at the Gate! - Greyfriars1.jpg

The perfect gloomy, misty day to walk through the cemetary. (Notice the older markers preserved into the kirkwall behind her.)

Kirkyard green

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:44:04 MDT

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Kirkyard green - Greyfriars10.jpg

Mournfully beautiful, the place is like an Edward Gorey dream-come-true. The most Gothic cemetery I've ever seen.

blue eyed skull

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:44:01 MDT

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blue eyed skull - Greyfriars11.jpg

But, also, a little modern commentary...

Impressive crypt

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:58 MDT

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Impressive crypt - Greyfriars12.jpg

Impressive crypt, contemplative message.

wall bones

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:54 MDT

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wall bones - Greyfriars13.jpg

Lots of fascinating symbolism, and a large profusion of skeletal images.

Tomb of "Bloody" George MacKenzie

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:51 MDT

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Tomb of "Bloody" George MacKenzie - Greyfriars14.jpg

When the Protestant sect The Covenanters signed a pact opposing the King, Charles I sent this judge to root them out. His violence and cruelty are the stuff of legends.

Down to the Mackenzie crypt

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:47 MDT

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Down to the Mackenzie crypt - Greyfriars15.jpg

Since 1999, there have been over 400 reported poltergeist attacks, 170 people collapsed, and one dead exorcist. People reported being shoved, punched, scratched, broken fingers, had blackouts, unexplained fires, cold spots, an unusually high number of dead animals found, and two people have even been committed.

Inside the MacKenzie Tomb

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:43 MDT

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Inside the MacKenzie Tomb - Greyfriars16.jpg

In Dec of 1998 a homeless man broke into the tomb, and fell into the the tomb below, and fled screaming. This appears to have triggered the beginning of an alleged reign violent paranormal activity.

Impressive architect

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:42 MDT

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Impressive architect - Greyfriars17.jpg

And an impressive tomb for him.

Covenenter's Prison yard

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:40 MDT

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Covenenter's Prison yard - Greyfriars18.jpg

The location of the Covenanter's prison is now part of the kirkyard. This is where the most violent attacks have taken place. It's now gated off and closed to the public, only special tour groups go in... (I took this through the bars.)

Resting bones

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:36 MDT

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Resting bones - Greyfriars19.jpg

Eerily eroded, but still evocative.

Greyfriar's Gate

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:33 MDT

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Greyfriar's Gate - Greyfriars2.jpg

Detail of the imposing gate and kirk-building.

Solemn mouner

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:31 MDT

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Solemn mouner - Greyfriars20.jpg

From an ornate and beautiful monument.

winged face

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:27 MDT

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winged face - Greyfriars21.jpg

Time flies...

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:24 MDT

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Time flies... - Greyfriars22.jpg

A carved reminded to the living.

Flodden Wall

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:21 MDT

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Flodden Wall - Greyfriars23.jpg

Fragment of the first wall around the city - built after the disastrous Battle of Flodden, fearing the English would invade. (They never did.)

You been haunted

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:18 MDT

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You been haunted - Greyfriars24.jpg

A helpful message. :)

Flodden Wall (closer)

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:16 MDT

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Flodden Wall (closer) - Greyfriars25.jpg

Some of the older markers have be incorporated into the wall to preserve them.

Sonnett by the iron fence

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:12 MDT

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Sonnett by the iron fence - Greyfriars26.jpg

Many of the graves are surrounded by stone or iron defenses called Mortsafes. These were built to keep out the "Resurrection Men" - grave robbers who stole bodies to supply the city's famous medical schools with specimen to dissect and study when such things were against the law.

Gothic marker

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:08 MDT

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Gothic marker - Greyfriars27.jpg

Most of these speak for themselves.

Gothic marker (detail)

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:04 MDT

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Gothic marker (detail) - Greyfriars28.jpg

Creepy tomb!

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:43:00 MDT

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Creepy tomb! - Greyfriars29.jpg

This may be my favorite - a seemingly damn disturbing way to memorialize someone's life.

Impressive tomb

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:57 MDT

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Impressive tomb - Greyfriars3.jpg

I was esp. struck by the sideways text and different carved 'fonts". As well as the skulls and faces.

Creepy tomb! (detail)

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:54 MDT

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Creepy tomb! (detail) - Greyfriars30.jpg

The leering face at the top is particularly striking...

Wall of tombs

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:51 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Wall of tombs - Greyfriars31.jpg

There is a *lot* of this. Fascinating.

Celtic detail

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:48 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Celtic detail - Greyfriars32.jpg

A very ancient style of Celtic imagery.

Would you go in there?

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:44 MDT

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Would you go in there? - Greyfriars33.jpg

cross bones

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:41 MDT

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cross bones - Greyfriars34.jpg

Impressive row

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:38 MDT

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Impressive row - Greyfriars35.jpg

A little light rain only added to the Gothic ambiance. A perfect day for the wistful, the romantic, or the morbidly curious.

Joined by death

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:34 MDT

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Joined by death - Greyfriars36.jpg

An impressive tomb from the early 1600's.

Headless angel

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:31 MDT

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Headless angel - Greyfriars37.jpg

A lot of these - always kind of disturbing.

Protected man

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:28 MDT

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Protected man - Greyfriars38.jpg

Excellent example of a mortsafe - here for a man in interesting puritan-like garb.

Twisted columns

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:25 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Twisted columns - Greyfriars39.jpg

I know I've seen columns just like this in dozens of Hammer films! :D

Angel wings

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:22 MDT

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Angel wings - Greyfriars4.jpg

Detail from the previous.

Crossed coffins?

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:19 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Crossed coffins? - Greyfriars40.jpg

I would love to understand the meaning of all the different symbols we saw there. I'm sure it is it's own coded language. (Like flowers.)

Victorian Tomb

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:16 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Victorian Tomb - Greyfriars41.jpg

Really beautiful, this tomb provided my favorite photos of this set. (See the following) I wish I had time to go back and take more!

Victorian detail 1

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:13 MDT

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Victorian detail 1 - Greyfriars42.jpg

Victorian detail 2

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:10 MDT

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Victorian detail 2 - Greyfriars43.jpg

Toys for Bobby

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:07 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Toys for Bobby - Greyfriars44.jpg

Grave for the master of Greyfriar's Bobby - the loyal little dog who guarded his master's grave. People leave toys and sticks for him. The dog is actually buried a little ways off - in unconsecrated ground.

Floating skeleton

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:03 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Floating skeleton - Greyfriars45.jpg

Note the crossed shovels and coffin at the bottom.

Floating skeleton (detail)

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:59 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Floating skeleton (detail) - Greyfriars46.jpg

Haunting, isn't he?

Flanking stone angels

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:56 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Flanking stone angels - Greyfriars47.jpg

Another fascinating one, set into the Kirkwall.

Spring in the Kirkyard

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:53 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Spring in the Kirkyard - Greyfriars48.jpg

And hanging over the gravestones were beautiful trees in bloom. Circle of life goes on. :)

Little skull detail

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:49 MDT

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Little skull detail - Greyfriars5.jpg

Cheery skull

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:46 MDT

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Cheery skull - Greyfriars6.jpg

Atop the tomb

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:42 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Atop the tomb - Greyfriars7.jpg

One is justice (see the scales?), but I'm not sure about the other...

At Rest

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:38 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

At Rest - Greyfriars8.jpg

And the protected within.

Well Protected Tomb

Sonnett_David — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:41:33 MDT

Sonnett_David posted a photo

Well Protected Tomb - Greyfriars9.jpg

Very well defended mortsafe.