132 Glenluce Abbey. 



corbels are carved with circular lines; some are figured: all are 

 beautiful. Two of the bosses show armorial shields, and two are 

 circular patera;. 



In the east wall are two large traceried windows. At the 

 inner edges they measure nine feet in breadth by eleven feet in 

 height. The actual lights are five feet five inches in width. 

 Between the windows against the wall was the Abbot's Stall. 

 This is ornamented by a trefoiled hood moulding. The seat is 

 part of a stone bench which ran round the four walls. The hood 

 moulding above the Abbot's Stall is surmounted by the mitre, 

 ornamented on one side with two cinquefoil flowers, and on the 

 other side by one cinquefoil flower. The corbel which projects 

 above the mitre is carved into a human head, over which are 

 the words, " Reqtiiescat in pace."* 



The Chapter-House was included in the important restora- 

 tion work carried out fifteen years ago. At that time it was 

 falling into utter ruin. The inside roof was then repaired, and 

 the outside protected with concrete. That work was opportune 

 and excellent. And it seemed to me that that work should be 

 continued so as to make the house fit for worship. But I also 

 resolved that no existing structure should be cut, or changed, or 

 removed. Workmen were put upon the roof to make it weather- 

 proof. The floor was cleared, the walls pointed and toned, the 

 windows glazed simply, and a suitable door fitted. A communion 

 table was built in front of the Abbot's Stall. The original dais 

 was restored in concrete. The concrete area was covered with 

 warm matting, and a stove set up. The furniture is: — Two 

 prayer desks, a lectern, a small organ, forms round the dais, and 

 chairs filling the area. 



On Saturday, 25th February, 1911, the Chapter-House, 

 after an interval of 350 years, was reopened for public worship 

 in presence of a large congregation. 



Laymen's Quarters. 



As the clerical quarters go southward from the head or east 



end of the Church, so the laymen's quarters go southward from 



the foot or west end of the Church. These are smaller in e'very 



way, except in length. The clerical quarters form the east side, 



* Photographs of the Abbey and drawings of many of the 

 details are given in " The Five Great Churches of Galloway " 

 (Ayrshire and Galloway Archaeological Association). — Ed. 



