St Giles’ Files
Season 2
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In this first new episode we are honoring one of Scotland’s most beloved saints, Queen Margaret. As she is often associated with pilgrimages, we will discuss what a pilgrimage was and what they have become today with a few traditional, and not so traditional, examples. Apologies for the audio here, we managed to pick up a bit of ambient sound from the cathedral. Bonus points for anyone who hears the sound of the bells in the background!
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This week, we are discussing the idea of cathedral archives, and giving you a behind-the-scenes peek at what, and how, history is stored at St Giles’.
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Why does this Presbyterian Kirk have so many saints in it? Our object of the week is Karl Parson’s underrated Saint’s window, which leads to a discussion on religious imagery, Celtic Christian mythology and a large, angry mob in Fife….
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Inspired by a temporary ceramics studio at the back of St Giles’, Ciara and Stephen ponder cathedral craftsmanship via the ancient practice of mason marks. Part professional necessity, part art, they are a tangible link to other Scottish buildings, offer us new possibilities in making the cathedral more accessible, and are a chance to get really excited about databases.
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We currently have a Crime and Punishment board in the cathedral, detailing various misdeeds in the St Giles’ area during the Covenanting period, as well as the often macabre justice doled out. This has led us to wonder what exactly is a church’s role in historical justice, and what can we learn from the legal systems of the past? Why did St Giles’ have a jail in it? And were the citizens of 16th century Edinburgh really as bloodthirsty as tour guides would have you believe?
Warning: This episode discusses historic crimes and punishments, some of which may be distressing.