John Byres of Coates memorial at Greyfriars was carved by the Master Mason to The Crown, William Wallace in 1630/31. It is an outstanding example of the grand mural monuments that very wealthy families of Edinburgh commissioned in the period from 1625 – 1637, including Dennistoun, Henryson, Foulis & Bannatyne. Wallace died in 1631 so this was one of his last works, indeed the records of his estate show the debt for the work performed here was unpaid at the date of his death. William Ayton was Wallace’s successor as Master Mason to the Crown and he took on the task of producing these hugely elaborate monuments after 1631. Both Wallace & Ayton were responsible for much of the building of Heriot’s Hospital, a neighbour to Greyfriars, in the late 1620’s, 1630’s & early 1640’s. Ayton died in 1643.
John Byres was a successful money lender & landlord in the prosperous years of James VI’s reign. He lived on the High Street before he bought the Coates estates (the land just north of Haymarket Station in Edinburgh) and built a huge house with his wealth (that still stands today). John chose to commission the finest craftsman to create the most elaborate memorial, unmatched by anything that went before it. The design chosen is rich in complex symbolism which requires a lot of careful consideration to piece the whole meaning together.
We are presented with a figure sitting on a Cornucopia with their back against a pillar, reaching out towards a winged figure standing on a sphere. Is that a book in their lap ? Death figures flanks the scene, carrying their darts & a burial shroud. A crumbling Tower refers to the Tower of Babel which speaks of man’s inability to reach heaven before they are called by God to do so. The cornucopia is a horn of plenty, overflowing with foods, fruits & flowers. There are arrangements of baskets of fruits, flowers & foliage all around the scene.
The overall message appears to be that death will arrive to take us, only then the righteous will be able to reach heaven above to enjoy the bountiful abundance provided by God. The figure sitting in the cornucopia with their back against a pillar, a book on their lap and reaching outwards. Is this John, or is it a heavenly figure waiting to judge or greet his soul ? Is the pillar a symbol of a steadfast faith & fortitude. Is the cornucopia symbolising a rich & bountiful life, or the promise of such in the afterlife. We could read this scene in several different ways and quite possibly that was the intention.
Today the monument is somewhat reduced by having lost its huge finial and the carving rather decayed. But the old photo gives a sense of just how grand this would have been.
Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard 