June 30, 1685 Tuesday
While the 9th Earl of Argyll waited in confinement in Edinburgh Castle, the Privy Council inquired of King James II (VII of Scotland) as to his opinion on this prisoner. The King's response was received on June 28th in which he ordered that they "take all ways to know from him ... his assisters with men, arms, or money, his associates and correspondents, his designs, etc." Under no circumstance should the inquiry postpone his execution which was to be within three days. The King did not specify the manner of execution.
Despite the King's instructions Argyll was not tortured and did not divulge his co-conspirators, but did confess his role in the rebellion.
He was sentenced on Monday the 29th.
"The lords therefore decern and adjudge the said Archibald Campbell late earl of Argyle, to be taken to the market-cross of Edinburgh, the 30th day of this instant June, 1685, and there, betwixt two and five in the afternoon, to be beheaded, and ordain his head thereafter to be affixed on the tolbooth of Edinburgh, on a high pin of iron : which was pronounced for doom." [Wodrow]The apparatus that enabled the beheading was called "The Maiden ." Its name is said to have arisen from its rare usage. However, it was used more than 150 times over its operational life. Argyll's father had been one of its happy clients.
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| The Maiden |
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| The Maiden |
As Argyll approached the Maiden at his time of execution he is purported to have said that "it was the sweetest maiden ever he kissed, it being a means to finish his sin and misery, and his inlet to glory, for which he longed." [Willcock]
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| The Maiden appears to be situated behind St. Giles near the Mercat Cross on a raised platform. |
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