User:Kkatiekrue/New sandbox

Deacon Brodie's Tavern
William (Deacon) Brodie was hanged on October 1, 1788 in front of a crowd of 40,000. His double life of locksmithing and house breaking is celebrated at Deacon Brodie's Tavern, located two blocks down from Edinburgh Castle. His story is claimed to be the real life inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" novella. A celebrated craftsman, Brodie used his skills in locks to break into businesses and homes throughout the Royal Mile and old town Edinburgh.

Gladstone's Land
Built in the 1600s, this building housed both residences and commercial spaces. Touring it provides an opportunity to view hand painted Renaissance interior design. It was renovated by the National Trust for Scotland to represent a realistic portrayal of life during the time it was built. This includes windows without glass, period furniture, and lack of running water. Due to the various social strata represented in this building, there is an opportunity to see how the various social classes lived differently in the same building.

Real Mary King's Close
In 1753 city officials decided to build a new building to house the Royal Exchange. The houses on site were demolished, but the houses in the lower sections of the close were left as is. The houses have been renovated and are open to the public. Named for Mary King, one of the former residents, this attraction allows visitors to see a recreation of the home she kept with her husband and four children. The King's were considered well off, living toward the top of the Royal Mile.

The Witches' Well
In 1894, John Duncan of the Royal Society of Arts, designed and installed a plaque memorializing the hundreds of executions resulting from witchcraft trials in and around Edinburgh. Prior to the Enlightenment, the estimated number of trials and executions is in excess of 300. The plaque is of a snake wrapped around two female heads, and reads, "This Fountain, designed by John Duncan, R.S.A. is near the site on which many witches were burned at the stake. The wicked head and serene head signify that some used their exceptional knowledge for evil purposes while others were misunderstood and wished their kind nothing but good. The serpent has the dual significance of evil and wisdom. The Foxglove spray further emphasises the dual purpose of many common objects.” The memorial plaque is attached to the Tartan Weaving Center, located at the top of the Royal Mile just below Edinburgh Castle.

Royal Mile History Timeline

 * 1018 – Malcolm II seizes Edinburgh and declares the Kingdom of Scotland


 * 1080 – Malcolm III and his wife Margaret built the first historical building on the site to become Edinburgh Castle
 * 1124 - St Giles' Church is founded by David I
 * 1128 - Holyrood Abbey is founded by David I at the bottom of what will become the Royal Mile
 * 1314 - Edinburgh Castle is taken from the English by Robert the Bruce's nephew, Thomas Randolph
 * 1357 - War ends with the English and David II begins rebuilding Edinburgh
 * 1507 - Edinburgh licenses its first printing press near Cowgate
 * 1583 - Edinburgh University is founded
 * 1766 - James Craig produced "New Town" city plan
 * 1920 - Edinburgh and Leith combined into one city
 * 1999 - Scottish Parliament reconvened in July, after 300 years of political union with England
 * 2004 - Designed by Enric Miralles, the new Scottish Parliament Building was completed