128 Restoration of Jedburgh Abbey, By Jas. Watson. 



Eegular about 1118, and was changed into an Abbey near the 

 close of the reign of its founder, David I. Like all the large 

 religious houses, Jedburgh Abbey was richly endowed; and 

 several of its superiors were men of considerable influence in the 

 State. One of the most memorable days in its annals was that in 

 October, 1285, when Alexander III. was married at its high 

 altar to Jolande, daughter of the Count de Dreux, in presence of 

 the principal nobility of France and Scotland ; and when, as the 

 old Chroniclers tell us, the rejoicings were suddenly brought to a 

 close, by the appearance of a spectre at the royal banquet which 

 took place afterwards. During the long war that followed on 

 the disputed succession to the throne after the sad death of this 

 beloved monarch, the monastery passed through many vicissi- 

 tudes; it was pillaged and burned several times, and the 

 effects of the flames may still be seen on various parts 

 of the ruins. The first of these calamitous visitations occurred a 

 little before 1300, in which year the conventual buildings were 

 uninhabitable ; and the Canons were compelled to seek shelter 

 elsewhere until their own home was again made fit for their recep- 

 tion. The town was laid in ruins in 1410, and again in 1416 by 

 the English under Sir Eobert Umfraville ; as also in 1464 by the 

 Earl of Warwick ; and it is all but certain that the Abbey must 

 have suffered at one or other of these times, as a restoration of 

 several portions seems to have taken place shortly afterwards. 

 In 1523, after a whole day's cannonading by an English force 

 6000 strong under the Earl of Surrey, it had to capitulate, and 

 was committed to the flames ; in 1544 it was again burned by 

 Lord Evers; and lastly in 1545 by the Earl of Hertford. 

 Erom these latter injuries the Abbey never recovered ; and it 

 appears that instead of attempting to restore the whole of the 

 church after this, a portion under the tower was fitted up, intended 

 no doubt to serve only as a temporary place of worship. But 

 events of a different character followed all too quickly for the 

 Eoman Catholics ; the tide of the Eeformation swept over the 

 land, and in 1559, when the monasteries throughout the country 

 were suppressed, Jedburgh Abbey was still greatly in ruins. 

 It was in the church under the tower where David Panter, 

 Bishop of Eoss, was consecrated with much solemnity in 1553 — 

 the last event of splendour and dignity witnessed by the pap- 

 ists ; and it was at the door of the same church where Paul 

 Methven — the first "Eeformed" minister of Jedburgh— stood 



