208 FieLp MEETINGS. 
earlier than 1180, as the monks belonged to the Premon- 
stratensian Order, which was established about 1120. This 
Order, sometimes called Norbertine, was founded about that 
time by St. Norbert, in the diocese of Laon, France. The 
Order was a mixture of the monastic and canonical life, and 
followed chiefly the rule of St. Augustine. It was also some- 
times called ‘‘ candidus ordo,’’ because their garb was entirely 
white. 
According to Dugdale, the Abbey was founded by John, 
Lord of Kirkconnell, of the Maxwell family. According to 
another account it was founded by Devorgilla, wife of John 
Baliol, Lord of Barnard, as a cell to Soulseat. The former 
seems the more probable. The monks of Holywood possessed 
extensive lands in Nithsdale and East Galloway, and their 
spiritual power extended over the present parishes of Holy- 
wood, Dunscore, Penpont, Tynron, and Kirkconnel. The 
Maxwell family were their bailies and protectors. Thomas 
Campbell, the last abbot, was prescribed by Regent Murray 
in August, 1568, for assisting Queen Mary in her escape from 
Lochleven. 
The present excavations which have been conducted 
since the spring under the supervision of Messrs Dick Peddie 
& Co., architects, of Edinburgh, and at the expense of Major 
Keswick of Cowhill (the firm in question are preparing a 
report on their work), have been confined to what must have 
been minor and possibly domestic buildings with additions at 
much later dates. Part of a farm steading once stood on the 
site of the Abbey. The main portion of the Abbey lies within 
the present churchyard, and consequently cannot be touched, 
though finds of antiquarian interest are occasionally made by 
grave-diggers. 
The principal portion excavated showed the foundation 
of a square building which it is possible may have been the 
chapter house of the Monastery. A pillar erected on the site 
of the entrance to the Abbey, and which stands within the 
churchyard, gives credence to this idea. Information as to 
the brass tablet that used to be on the pillar is desired. Another 
interesting discovery was that of two built converging water 
