Kelso Abbey
Tironensian | |
| Established | Community first established at Selkirk c. 1113, moved to Kelso 1128. |
|---|---|
| Disestablished | 1559 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | David I of Scotland |
| Site | |
| Location | Kelso, Scottish Borders, Scotland |
| Visible remains | Fragments: Western Crossing, Infirmary. |
| Public access | Yes |
Kelso Abbey is a ruined
In the 14th century, Roxburgh became a focus for periodic attack and occupation by English forces and Kelso's monastic community survived a number of fluctuations in control over the area, restoring the abbey infrastructure after episodes of destruction and ultimately retaining Scottish identity. From 1460 onwards, life for the abbey probably grew more settled, but came once again under attack in the early sixteenth century. By the mid-century, through a combination of turbulent events, the abbey effectively ceased to function and the building fell into ruin.
Although the site of Kelso Abbey has not been fully excavated in modern times, evidence suggests that it was a major building with two crossings. The only remains standing today are the west tower crossing and part of the infirmary. The massive design and solid romanesque style of the tower indicate a very large building of formidable, semi-military construction and appearance, evidence of the importance with which Roxburgh was regarded when the abbacy was at the height of its power.
Foundation
Kelso Abbey was founded at Roxburgh in 1128 by a community of monks of the Tironesian order, from
Construction of the abbey is believed to have commenced immediately, and by 1143 progress was sufficiently advanced for the building to be dedicated to the
Development and defence
Kelso Abbey, which was situated in sight of
After Scotland's royal dynasty began to lose the overlordship of
In 1460, James II was killed within sight of the abbey as the result of a fatal accident during the campaign which secured repossession of Roxburgh castle that same year. Kelso Abbey was the venue for the hasty coronation of the infant king, James III, which quickly followed.[5] During the period from 1460 to 1513, political and military control in the area was more stable and life for the abbey was probably relatively settled. After 1517, however, it was again subject to English attacks.
Sixteenth-century destruction
Kelso Abbey effectively ceased to function due to a combination of events in the mid-sixteenth century. First, in the 1540s, the building sustained major damage in attacks perpetrated under the orders of the English king, Henry VIII, part of the so-called Rough Wooing, in which most of southern Scotland's abbeys, including those at Melrose, Dryburgh and Jedburgh, were targeted for destruction by forces under the command of the Earl of Hertford. Plans to convert the Abbey into a bastion fort were prepared by Archangelo Arcano, an Italian military engineer working for Henry VIII.[6]
This physical assault on the site was followed in 1560 by monastic
By the late 16th century the estates of the former monastery came under fully secular control and in 1607 they were finally granted as a secular lordship, titled
Post-reformation usage
Between 1647 and 1771, part of the abbey ruins was occupied by a
In 1805, huge parts of the
Architectural notes
Little of the ground plan of this once large abbey exists, but the surviving ruin of the west tower, together with its
The gable of the north transept of the west tower crossing (pictured right) presents the most intact surviving face. The earliest remains of the abbey are the two bays of the south arcade of the nave (partly visible at the far left of the picture). These have rounded arches dating from about 1128. Later additions above this are a triforium from the late 12th Century, and above this clerestory is a continuous arcade. There is no regular vertical pattern between three levels of arcading, a feature which is unique in Scotland or England.[3] The masonry above the clerestory suggests that there was no nave vaulting.
The south and west faces of the west tower still rise high to the level of the belfry openings and this structure is not earlier than the beginning of the 13th Century.[3] The west transepts and the west vestibule also survive, though only the north jamb survives of the west crossing's doorways.
In the 20th century, the "Roxburghe Aisle" was built onto the Abbey as the burial vault of the Dukes of Roxburghe.
Burials
- Prince Henry of Scotland (1114–1152), Earl of Northumbria and Huntingdon
- Several of the Dukes of Roxburgheand members of their family.
Access
The ruins are cared for by Historic Scotland. There is no entrance charge.[8]
Tourism
This Abbey is one of five abbeys and historic sites in southern Scotland which lie on the Borders Abbeys Way walk.
See also
- Kelso
- Abbot of Kelso (for a list of abbots and commendators)
- List of religious houses in Scotland
- List of places in the Scottish Borders
- List of places in Scotland
- Borders Abbeys Way
- Kilwinning Abbey
References
- ISBN 1841584576
- ISBN 0-7181-2368-9
- ^ ISBN 0-300-10702-1.
- ^ Cowan & Easson, Religious Houses, p. 68
- ^ "Kelso Abbey", Historic Environment Scotland
- ^ Richard Fawcett, 'A plan of 1545 for the fortification of Kelso Abbey', Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 141 (2012), pp. 269-27
- ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1936), p. 453 no. 519.
- ^ Historic Scotland, Kelso Abbey: Prices and opening times, accessed 12 March 2023
External links
- Historic Environment Scotland. "Kelso Abbey (SM90177)".
- Online version of the Chartulary of Kelso Abbey: Liber S. Marie de Calchou: registrum cartarum abbacie tironensis de Kelso, 1113-1567, Bannatyne Club, 1846.