The history of the cathedral subsequently to the Reformation is not well known. Under the Regent Morton the lead was removed from the roof, and the structure fell into disrepair. But it was partially repaired by Bishop Lindsay in 1615; and in 1649 it was not very ruinous. It would, therefore, appear that the tradition is probably correct which says that the masonry of the walls was removed by Cromwell, like that of Kinloss Abbey, for the construction of his citadel at Inverness. CROSRAGUEL ABBEY, AYRSHIRE. This monastery, whose abbots once possessed regal sway over nearly the whole of Carrick, now stands a solitary deserted ruin in a small sequestered valley, about two miles from Maybole, on the road leading by Kirkoswald to Girvan. The monastic buildings, although much ruined, are still of considerable extent, and comprise, besides the church, more remains of ecclesiastical and domestic structures than are usual in our Scottish religious establishments. This has probably arisen from the quiet and secluded nature of the site, as well as from the protection afforded by the powerful Earls of Carrick. The chartulary of the abbey is lost, but many of the scattered charters have been collected and printed by the Ayrshire and Galloway Archæological Association, and edited by Mr. F. C. Hunter Blair, 1886. From these and the introductory chapter most of the following historical notes are gleaned. The abbey was founded by Duncan, Earl of Carrick, in the end of the twelfth century. By him lands and churches were granted to the Abbey of Paisley, on condition that the monks should found a monastery in his province of Carrick, after their own Order of Cluny, to which the said endowments should be handed over. These conditions were evaded by the monks of Paisley, who contented themselves with erecting a cell at Crosraguel, and kept the rest of the revenue to themselves. Such conduct was naturally complained of by the earl, and it was decided by William de Bondington, Bishop of Glasgow, that a monastery should be forthwith erected at Crosraguel. Earl Duncan is said to have superintended the erection of the structure, in which case it must have been in progress between 1244, the date of the bishop’s decision, and 1250, when the earl died. In 1265 the Pope confirmed the “Scriptum de Crosragmol” of Bishop Bondington. Additional grants were made to the abbey by Earl Nigel, the successor of the founder. The church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The monks were of the Order of Cluny, in France. This order was first introduced into England at Wenlock, in Shropshire, whence monks were brought to Paisley Abbey by Walter, first Steward of Scotland. The ecclesiastics of that convent, being the superiors of Crosraguel, naturally colonised it with monks of their own order of Cluniacs.