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Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we turn our attention to March 1, 1546—a dark and fateful day in Scotland’s Reformation. On this day, the Protestant preacher George Wishart was burned at the stake in St. Andrews under the orders of Cardinal David Beaton. His death would ignite a firestorm of anger and set in motion events that changed Scotland forever. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at https://bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!

The 16th century was a time of great religious upheaval in Scotland. The Protestant Reformation was sweeping through Europe, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church, and Scotland was no exception. George Wishart emerged as one of the leading voices of reform. A gifted preacher, he traveled the country, denouncing Catholic doctrine and calling for a return to the teachings of the Bible. He spoke out against the veneration of saints, clerical corruption, and the wealth of the church, all of which made him a dangerous man in the eyes of Scotland’s Catholic hierarchy.

Wishart’s message found a receptive audience, particularly among the nobility who resented the power of the Catholic Church. But his preaching also drew the ire of Cardinal David Beaton, the head of the Catholic Church in Scotland and a staunch defender of Rome. Beaton saw Wishart not only as a heretic but as a direct threat to his authority. Determined to silence him, the Cardinal orchestrated his arrest in January 1546.

The arrest itself was an act of treachery. Wishart was staying at Ormiston House in East Lothian, under the protection of Protestant sympathizers. But he was betrayed, captured, and taken to Edinburgh before being transferred to St. Andrews, where he would face trial. His fate was sealed before the trial even began. Beaton and his allies were determined to make an example of him, and on February 28, he was convicted of heresy in a mock trial that left no room for defense.

On the morning of March 1, Wishart was led out to the stake in front of St. Andrews Castle. A large crowd gathered to witness the grim spectacle. He was tied to the post, and bags of gunpowder were placed around his body to ensure a swift but violent death. As the flames rose, he is said to have called out to the people, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith. His last words were reportedly a prayer for forgiveness—both for himself and for those who condemned him.

But if Beaton thought that Wishart’s death would crush the Protestant cause, he was gravely mistaken. Instead, it fueled resentment and rage. Many of Wishart’s followers were convinced that his execution was not just an act of religious persecution but also a sign of Beaton’s tyranny. Less than three months later, on May 29, 1546, a group of Protestant conspirators stormed St. Andrews Castle. In a dramatic act of vengeance, they assassinated Cardinal Beaton, dragging him from his chamber and stabbing him to death before hanging his mutilated body from a window as a grim warning to his allies.

Wishart’s martyrdom became a rallying cry for the Protestant cause in Scotland. His teachings lived on through his followers, most notably John Knox, who had been one of his closest disciples. Knox, who would go on to lead the Scottish Reformation, was deeply influenced by Wishart’s fiery preaching and unwavering faith. When the Reformation finally took hold in Scotland in 1560, the Catholic Church was overthrown, and Protestantism became the country’s dominant faith.

Today, the site of Wishart’s execution in St. Andrews remains a place of historical significance. A small plaque marks the spot where he was burned, a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for religious change. His legacy endures in the history of the Scottish Reformation, a testament to the power of conviction and the price of standing up for one’s beliefs.

Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at one of the most pivotal moments in Scotland’s Reformation. Don't forget to check out my blog for more historical events at https://bagtownclans.com/thisday. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland’s remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!

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