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Paisley first came to prominence when Mirin established a Church on the Banks of the River Cart in the Sixth Century. In time Mirin was canonized and became the patron saint of Paisley. Paisley became a place of pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Mirin.
In the Twelfth Century Walter Fitzalan established a monastery of Cluniac monks close to the shrine of St. Mirin.
In 1488 Paisley became a Royal Burgh to rival that of Renfrew, its near neighbour.
In 1696 Paisley had a famous witch trial concerning Christian Shaw, which saw six people condemned as witches. They were strangled and burnt on the Gallowgreen and their remains were buried on a crossing now known as Maxwelton Cross, with a horseshoe placed on top of the buriel site. This spot is still visible today although the horseshoe went missing many years ago.
As Paisley progressed and expanded it became a Town of weavers and poets, such as Robert Tannahill.
Paisley became world famous for its thread manufacture through the Coats and Clark families, the legacy of which is still felt today.
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