In the choir also are several sedilia with pointed foliated arches, and
over the sacristry door on the south side a colossal foliated trefoil.
Though these features may be somewhat out of proportion to the size of
the choir, they suggest larger dimensions, and if they had had more
elevation and space around would have been seen to greater advantage.
Besides the south transept only a tower and some scanty portions of the
nave remain of this minster that once measured 216 feet long by 16½ feet
broad.
As in the case of Sweetheart Abbey, there is little of historical or
legendary interest associated with Lincluden--its popularity with the
public being due to its beautiful and sheltered situation and to its
associations with Robert Burns.
SWEETHEART (_Cistercian_)
1275, Founded by Lady Devergoil.
Sweetheart Abbey, a beautiful structure, stands a little westward of the
mouth of the Nith in a lovely and sheltered nook at the base of Criffel,
the most southerly mountain in Scotland. Only the church, a fine
cruciform building with a central saddleback tower of 92 feet, and part
of the chapter-house are now left. In the aisle of the south transept
(the only part of the abbey that is roofed) is a groined wall with
shields for bosses, on one of which are the abbey arms. A beautiful rose
window at the east end of the church is by far the most interesting
remaining feature of the abbey. The church, as it was after its
foundation, does not seem to have been of much importance either
ecclesiastically or politically and has therefore scarcely any history
attached to its name. The abbey was founded in 1275 by Lady Devergoil,
wife of John Baliol and mother of the Scottish king of that name, who
also built the bridge and monastery at Dumfries. It was called at first
New Abbey in contradistinction to the old abbey at Dundrennan. Its name,
however, was changed later to Sweetheart because of a story told about
its foundress and her husband. The Lady Devergoil was supposed to have
had her husband’s heart embalmed and enclosed in an ivory box, and at
the lady’s death this box was placed inside her tomb. Over the tomb may
be seen this epitaph in Latin--
“In Dever-gill a sibil sage doth lie as
Mary contemplative, as Martha pious,
To her, O deign High King! best to impart
Whom this stone covers with her husband’s heart.”
The ruins of the abbey were repaired in 1852 by means of a subscription
raised among the gentry of the district, and augmented by a grant from
Parliament.
PAISLEY (_Mitred Cluniac_)
1164, Founded as a Priory by Walter Fitzalan--Dedicated to SS.
James, Mirin and Milburga--1219, raised to the rank of an
Abbey--1307, Burned by the English--1561, Pillaged at the
Reformation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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