In 1470, and for a few years after, there were extensive repairs made, especially in connection with the roofs and other woodwork of the monastic buildings, and mention is made of the “building of our dormitory of new.” The structures of the abbey do not appear to have suffered at the hands of the Reformers, but the revenues having become the property of the Hamiltons, and being probably appropriated to their private use, there were no funds to keep up the buildings, and hence they gradually fell into decay, and were freely used by the magistrates and towns people as a quarry. In 1580 the Duke of Lennox, Esme Stuart d’Aubigne, gave a grant to the Town Council,[30] to “tak away all and hail ye stainis, tymmer, and other pertinents of our house, ye dormitory in ye said Abbey.” This was for the purpose of supplying materials “for biggyn of ane kirk.” That work does not appear[31] to have been accomplished till ten years later, up to which time service was conducted in the lady chapel, “stripped of its altars and images.” HOLYROOD ABBEY, EDINBURGH. The traditional story connected with the foundation and name of this monastery is well known--viz., that a rood or cross miraculously passed into the hands of King David I., and thus saved his life when attacked by a stag in hunting, in commemoration of which he erected an abbey to the Holy Rood. The abbey was founded by David I., and richly endowed early in the twelfth century, and building is said to have commenced in 1128. The house was colonised by Canons Regular of the Order of St. Augustine, brought from St. Andrews. Being so near the capital, the abbey became a favourite place of sojourn of the kings of Scotland, especially after the accession of the Stewarts to the throne. Robert III. and James I. lived in the abbey. James II. was born and resided there, and was buried in the church. James III. and James IV. stayed much at Holyrood, and the latter began the erection of a palace attached to, but distinct from, the monastery. The palace was extended by James V., and formed the chief scene of many of the incidents in Queen Mary’s reign.[32]