The Greyfriars' Convent of Dumfries. 35 



A word about the seeming connection between the Friary 

 and the bridge which spans the river at a point just opposite the 

 site of the Monastery. I have in a prior paper endeavoured to 

 give expression to the view that the Friary and tlie bridge are 

 coeval, parts of the same plan, devised and executed under the 

 same beneficent authority. That a study of the history of the 

 Greyfriars' Convent materially strengthens this position I think can 

 hardly he doubted. It is sutificiently evident that the Friary was 

 founded at the time of Devorgilla, who possessed the Lordship 

 of Galloway ; and the charters show that the Lords of Galloway 

 possessed the superiority of the bridge, and granted the bridge 

 toll as an endowment to the Friars. It is not to be assumed, 

 however, that the structure was built for the lienefit of the Friars 

 only. Bridge building was itself a pious Avork, and the great 

 thoroughfare from England passing through the Lordship of 

 Galloway to Ireland made a dry passage over such a river as the 

 Nith, which is liable to frequent and prolonged floods, a matter 

 of general concern, and that the bridge was founded for the con- 

 venience and safety of travellers may be admitted, but the idea 

 of founding a religious house in connection with the bridge might 

 very well arise from the consideration that the importance of the 

 route would result in providing, by the usual creation of a toll, 

 a sufficient endowment for its support. 



I may be asked to name the spot, all trace having dis- 

 appeared where the high altar stood, before which the Red 

 Cumyn fell by the hands of Robert the Bruce, an incident so 

 startling and important in its consequences as to continue, even 

 after the passing of six hundred years, an outstanding landmark 

 in history, and to lend to our Friary Church a more than local 

 interest. 



A passage. No. 93 Friars' Vennel, leads to a small back 

 i'ourt, in the north-east corner of which is the site, or within a 

 few feet of the site, of this historical high altar of the Church of 

 the Grey Friars of Dumfries. 



