Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we look back to February 18, 1688, when James Renwick, a steadfast Covenanter minister, met his fate in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. His execution marked the final chapter in the long and bloody struggle of the Scottish Covenanters, earning him the distinction of being the last of their martyrs.

To understand Renwick’s story, we must first step back to the 17th century, a time of intense religious turmoil in Scotland. The Covenanters were a group of devout Presbyterians who resisted the interference of the monarchy in church affairs. Their troubles began in 1638 when they signed the National Covenant, pledging to uphold Presbyterianism and reject the attempts of King Charles I and later Charles II to impose Anglican practices upon them. The conflict escalated into decades of brutal persecution, with Covenanters hunted down, imprisoned, tortured, and executed for their defiance.

James Renwick was born in 1662 in Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, at a time when the Covenanter cause was under relentless attack. He was just a boy when he witnessed the execution of Donald Cargill, another famous Covenanter, in 1681. That moment left an indelible mark on him, solidifying his commitment to the cause. He pursued theological studies abroad in the Netherlands before returning to Scotland, where he became a leading preacher among the persecuted Covenanters.

Unlike some of his predecessors, Renwick refused to compromise with the government in any form. He boldly denounced King Charles II and later King James VII (James II of England) as unlawful rulers due to their interference in religious matters. He continued to preach in the fields, holding illegal conventicles—open-air religious gatherings outlawed by the Crown. This defiance made him a target. In 1685, when the infamous "Killing Time" was at its peak, Renwick became one of Scotland’s most wanted men.

Despite the constant danger, he traveled tirelessly across the country, ministering to Covenanters who lived in fear of capture and execution. His unwavering stance, however, led to divisions within the movement. Some more moderate Presbyterians believed that negotiating with the authorities was the only way to survive. Renwick, however, refused any compromise, believing it was a betrayal of his faith.

In early 1688, Renwick was finally captured in Edinburgh. His trial was swift and unsurprising—he was found guilty of treason for refusing to acknowledge the authority of King James VII. Offered a chance to save his life by renouncing his beliefs, he steadfastly refused. On February 18, he was led to the gallows in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, a site notorious for its executions.

As he faced death, Renwick remained resolute. His final words echoed the deep convictions that had guided his life: “I die in the faith that Christ shall reign, and that He shall be owned and preferred above all.” He was only 26 years old.

Renwick’s execution signaled the end of an era. Later that same year, the Glorious Revolution would see King James VII deposed, and the persecution of the Covenanters would soon come to an end. In 1690, Presbyterianism was officially restored as Scotland’s national church, a cause for which Renwick and so many others had laid down their lives.

Today, James Renwick is remembered as the last of the Covenanter martyrs, a symbol of unwavering faith and resistance against tyranny. His legacy endures in Scottish history, a reminder of the cost of religious freedom and the courage of those who stood firm in their beliefs.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through history. Tune in tomorrow for another fascinating episode of This Day in Scottish History. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!

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