Memorial to Scottish soldiers to be unveiled in Durham almost 400 years after they were buried in mass grave

The skeletons of about 20 soldiers, among thousands captured at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 and held prisoner in the empty Durham Cathedral, were discovered in a burial pit unearthed during building work four years ago.

A day of dignified commemoration events will take place today, beginning with the unveiling of a lasting memorial plaque using stone quarried from the battlefield where the soldiers were taken into captivity.

FORENSIC: Researchers have pieced together fragments of bone to learn about the history of the prisoners held in Durham. Picture: NORTH NEWS

The plaque has been installed in the courtyard of the café at Durham University’s Palace Green Library, close to the spot where the remains were discovered during building work.

The dedication ceremony will be followed by a minute’s silence.

Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: “The plaque will serve as a permanent memorial to the soldiers’ presence here on Palace Green.

“Since the discovery of the remains in 2013, experts from the University’s Department of Archaeology have undertaken a significant programme of research to learn more about the lives of the soldiers, including what became of those who survived.

“It is our intention through this project to give these individuals a voice in our history.”

Descendants of some of the soldiers captured in the battle have been consulted on the design of the new memorial, which includes a saltire and thistle.

An older plaque inside the cathedral has also been updated to remove references to the soldiers’ burial place being unknown.

It will be rededicated today, with special prayers and a blessing during the cathedral’s Evensong service.

Canon Rosalind Brown, of Durham Cathedral, said: “The updated plaque within Durham Cathedral, and the new plaque at Palace Green Library, provide an important commemoration of those soldiers who lost their lives and one which we hope honours their memory in a dignified manner.”

The day will conclude with a public lecture about the Scottish Soldiers and the research, held at Palace Green Library at 6.30pm.

Plans have also been announced for a major exhibition to take place at Palace Green Library next year telling the story of the soldiers and the discovery of their remains.

Thousands of prisoners captured in the brutal battle of Dunbar were marched south, hundreds dying on the way, and about 3,000 survivors were held prisoner in the cathedral.

Those who survived months of imprisonment were eventually transported to the colonies or pressed into military service.

Research on the remains is being undertaken by Durham University’s Department of Archaeology to learn more about where the soldiers came from, their health and what illnesses they suffered from at different stages of their lives.

Professor David Cowling, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Arts and Humanities at Durham University, said: “Through the discovery of these remains, and the ongoing research on them, we have been granted a privileged insight into the lives of the soldiers.

“The university plans to share their stories through an exhibition at Palace Green Library in 2018 which will be entitled Lost Lives, Hidden Voices: Unlocking the Story of the Scottish Soldiers 1650-2018.

“Our hope is that this exhibition will give people the opportunity to learn more about the lives of these soldiers, and the fascinating archaeological research which has helped us to get to know them better.”

Once research is completed, the skeletons will be reburied at the Elvet Hill Road Cemetery in Durham City, close to where the remains were originally found.