The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
In the north wall of the chancel are two recessed tombs (Figs. 1177 and
1178). These monuments, judging from the disturbed appearance of the
surrounding masonry and from the different character of the two designs,
were apparently not original parts of the chapel, but were subsequently
inserted as the occasion arose. The arch stones of the westmost tomb
(see Fig. 1177), that of Sir John Forrester (the eldest son of Sir Adam)
and his wife, are cut away or concealed by the west wall of the chapel,
an arrangement not likely to have been adopted had the tomb been erected
when the chapel was built. This monument is usually called the Founder’s
Tomb, from the circumstance that Sir John founded the collegiate church.
He was twice married: first, to Jean Sinclair, daughter of Henry, first
Earl of Orkney; and, second, to Dame Marion Stewart, Lady Dalswinton,
widow of Sir John Stewart.[112] His effigy rests on the tomb, along with
that of one of his wives. Sir John died after the year 1444.
The eastmost tomb (see Fig. 1178) is that of the son of the foregoing,
also Sir John, who died before 1454. It contains his effigy and that of
his wife. It does not appear to be known to what family the lady
belonged; but from the heraldic blazons (to be afterwards described) she
seems to have been a member of the Wigmer family.
There is another tomb situated in the south transept (Figs. 1179 and
1180). It is believed to be that of Sir Alexander Forrester, son of the
last mentioned Sir John. The date of his death is not recorded, but he
is known to have been alive in 1467. It contains his effigy only. There
has been a finial on the tomb, which is now gone.
The amount of heraldic carving on the above tombs, on the gable of the
south transept (Fig. 1181), and on the western porch (Fig. 1182) is
considerable and is well preserved.[113]
The arms represented on the various shields throughout the whole series
comprise, for the different members of the Forrester family above
mentioned,
FORRESTER OF CORSTORPHINE, viz.:--
Argent, three hunting horns stringed sable.
These occur alone and conjoined with the arms of their wives,
viz.:--
I. Sinclair, Earl of Orkney.
1st and 4th. Azure, a lymphad within a double tressure, flory
counter flory, or (for Orkney).
2nd and 3rd. Argent, a cross engrailed (for Sinclair).
II. Stewart of Dalswinton.
Or, a fesse chequé azure and argent, surmounted of a bend engrailed
gules.
III. Wigmer.
Argent, on a bend sable a ribbon dancettée of the field.
IV. Forrester (differenced with Sinclair--probably an unauthorised
coat).
Argent, a cross engrailed and couped between three hunting horns
sable.
The above arms are distributed as follow on the three tombs--
FIRST TOMB, SIR JOHN FORRESTER (see Fig. 1177).
1st shield. Forrester.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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