330 Theory as to the Origin of the Crosses 



III. THE CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC ANTECEDENTS 

 DEMANDED BY THE PRODUCTION 



Before entering upon the consideration of the artistic influences 

 which may have been operative in the production of our crosses, 

 we may first pause to reflect upon the new spirit which in the 12th 

 century was actuating the leaders in Church and State, and which 

 in art was the herald of Gothic architecture. This was chiefly 

 religious, and largely monastic, but it was powerful in all the chief 

 departments of human endeavor. 



As the eleventh century closed and the great twelfth century dawned, 

 the forces of mediaeval growth quickened to a mightier vitaUty, and 

 distinctively mediaeval creations appeared. ... It was no sudden 

 birth of power, but rather faculties ripening through apprentice cen- 

 turies, which illumined the period opening about the year 1100. This 

 period would carry no human teaching if its accompUshment in insti- 

 tutions, in philosophy, in art and poetry, had been a heaven-blown 

 accident, and not the fruit of antecedent disciphne.^ 



Au XII® siecle, epoque incomparable, tout nait, tout resplendit 

 a la fois dans le monde moderne. Chevalerie, croisades, architecture, 

 langue, Utterature, tout jaillit ensemble comme par la meme explosion; 



Hexham 1. 169; Cram, Ruined Abbeys of Great Britain, pp. 132-3; Keith- 

 .Spottiswoode, Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops, 1824 ; BroAVTi, 

 p. 110, above; Fordun, Scotichronicon 2. 230, 426. The hst varies some- 

 what in the different authorities, but there is agreement respecting the 

 chief monasteries. The dates of some of these, including such as were 

 founded under David's influence, rather than directly by him, may be 

 interesting. 



1113. Selkirk; Benedictine; from Tiron. 



1115. Jedburgh; Austin canons; from Beauvais. 



1128. Kelso (translation from Selkirk). 



1128. Holyrood; Austin canons. 



1136. Melrose (refounded) ; Cistercian; from Rievaulx. 



1 140. Newbattle ; Cistercian ; from Melrose. 



1140. Kilwinning; Benedictine; from Tiron. 



1142. Dundrennan ; Cistercian; from Rievaulx. 



1144. Lismahago ; Benedictine; from Kelso. 



1150. Dryburgh ; Premonstratensian. 



1150. Holmcultram ; Cistercian; from Melrose. 



1150. Kinloss; Cistercian; from Melrose. 



1 Taylor, The Mediceval Mind 2. 205-6. 



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