The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 2/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 2/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
The oldest monument is, doubtless, that in the north wall (Fig. 917),
near the doorway. It is traditionally ascribed to the Good Sir James,
the staunch adherent and companion in arms of Bruce. He died in Spain,
in 1331, when on his way to the Holy Land with the heart of King Robert.
The tomb contains a broken effigy, having a shield on the left side, and
with hands drawing his sword, but the right arm is broken off. The legs
have been crossed, but the upper limb is broken off by the knee. The
head rests on a cushion and the feet against a mutilated animal,
probably a lion. This monument is illustrated by Blore in his
_Monumental Remains_, and the effigy is pronounced by him to be of a
date anterior to the time of Sir James. The canopy is of a much later
period, probably fifteenth century.[182] It comprises a large pointed
arch with fine detached and freely cut cusping, surmounted by a
crocketed label moulding of ogee form, terminating in a large finial,
which reaches to the top of the wall of the church. A buttress on each
side, set diagonally, encloses the monument. Each buttress has a tall
crocketed pinnacle and foliaged finial. The shield in the spandril of
the canopy contains the heart, an addition to the Douglas Arms, made in
consequence of Sir James’s mission to the Holy Land with Bruce’s heart.
To the east of the above monument in the north wall is that of
Archibald, fifth Earl of Douglas (Fig. 918), who died in 1438. He was
the son of Archibald, fourth Earl, who distinguished himself in the
service of Charles VII. of France, and received therefor the Duchy of
Touraine, in 1423. This Earl was killed, along with most of his Scottish
followers, at the battle of Verneuil, 1424. Archibald, the fifth Earl,
after serving for some time in France, returned home and died of fever
in 1438.
The effigy which lies within the monument is habited in robes of state,
and wears a ducal coronet. In the left hand was probably a baton of
office, and the right hand holds together the cord which fastens the
mantle. The feet rest on a lion couchant. Round the waist is a broad
ornamental belt. Round the margin of the slab was formerly an
inscription, now nearly obliterated, which Godscroft gives as follows:--
HIC · JACET · ARCHIBALDUS · DE · DOUGLAS · DUX · TOURENIAE · COMES DE ·
DOUGLAS · ET · LONGUEVILLE · DOMINUS · GALLOVIDIAE · WIGTONIAE · ET
ANNANDIAE · LOCUM · TENENS · REGIS · SCOTIE · OBIIT · XXVIº · DIE ·
MENSIS IUNII · ANNO · DOMINI · MILLESIMO · QUARINGENTESIMO · TRICESIMO ·
OCTAVO.[183]
The effigy rests on a tomb, the front of which is divided into six
panels, each containing a small figure, probably representing the family
of the deceased. The figures stand on small pedestals, and are
surmounted with ornamental canopies. Over the tomb is a somewhat flat
arch of ogee form,
[Illustration: FIG. 918.--St. Bridget’s or St. Bride’s Church. Monument
of Archibald, Fifth Earl of Douglas.]
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