Bestoration of Jedburgh Ahbey. By Jas. Watson. 129 



bare-footed and bare-headed, arrayed in sackclotli, in expiation 

 of a serious charge of immorality of which he had been found 

 guilty. In February, 1574-5, this church having fallen into a 

 ruinous state, through the neglect of the Abbot commendator, 

 the Privy CouncU, at the request of the Town Council and com- 

 munity of the burgh, authorised the taking down of the timber of 

 the refectory for its repair. This continued to be the only 

 place of worship for nearly a century longer ; but between 1668 

 and 1671 the west end of the nave was converted into " ane 

 spacious church " by the Episcopalians — Episcopacy having in 

 turn succeeded Presbyterianism — and the old church was dis 

 carded. The rude masonry still seen under the tower is a por- 

 tion of the old church. The new church extended to the fifth 

 pillar from the west end, and included north and south aisles. 

 Besides the principal entrance at the west, there were two door- 

 ways on the north, and one on the south by which the minister 

 entered. The ten commandments and the creed were painted 

 high up on the east gable, and texts of scripture above the pillars 

 on the basement story. There were no galleries. In 1792-93 

 the church underwent a great alteration by which its appearance 

 both externally and internally was sadly changed. It was the 

 work of the Presbyterians this time. The groined roofs of the 

 side aisles were taken down. The south aisle was removed alto- 

 gether, and the wall brought forward to the pillars. The lower 

 windows rose to near the top of the arches ; and windows were 

 also inserted in the arches of the triforium. The north aisle wall 

 was also taken down and rebuilt. Instead of the two door-ways 

 as formerly on the north, there was only one after the altera- 

 tions, with two windows at each side, 3 feet wide by 5 feet 

 high, and five smaller ones of the same plain character higher 

 up the wall. The pulpit was placed on the south side between 

 the second and third pillars, and in front of it were two galleries, 

 the lower one being under the arches of the basement story, and 

 the upper one — or cock loft as it was called — in the triforium. 

 Similar galleries were erected on the same levels at the east and 

 west gables. During these alterations the pillars were cut into 

 so as to afford supports to the beams of the galleries; portions of 

 the richly foliated capitals were ruthlessly knocked away, and 

 mouldings literally smashed ; the great west window was filled 

 with slate, the walls and pillars were plastered, and nothing 

 whatever was done to preserve the character of the beautiful old 



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