REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1903 43 



a section of the Lady Victoria pit opened in 1894, which 

 indicated the shallow level at which the monks of early days 

 procured their fuel, as well as the present working of the 

 seams of coals to a depth of 260 fathoms. On either side of 

 the carriage-road were observed specimens of Evergreen Oak 

 (Quercus ilex), grown from acorns planted by a former scion 

 of the house of Lothian after the battle of Salamanca, in 

 which Wellington defeated Marmont on 22nd June 1812. 

 Crossing the river at this point is an ancient bridge, single- 

 arched and ribbed, and beautifully festooned with ivy, which 

 seemed to threaten its stability by the ramifications of its 

 roots and tendrils, of whose history no very definite information 

 was obtained. It is known as "The Maiden Bridge," and 

 was used by the dwellers in the monastic establishment 

 and village situated in the Abbey Park to reach the great 

 gates of the Abbey itself. Passing along the drive, bordered 

 by handsome Sycamores, the party arrived at Newbattle, 

 which occupies the site of the ancient Abbey, and is a solid 

 and comfortable building, with a castellated front. Its 

 late owner, the Right Hon. Schombarg Henry Kerr, 9th 

 Marquis of Lothian, a liberal patron of the fine arts and 

 a lover of antiquities, expended much labour in excavating 

 the foundations of the monastery church, and stamped his 

 possession with the seal of diligent research by unearthing 

 these, and leaving them exposed to view as indicated in the 

 plan (Plate IV.) reproduced in this year's Report. 



The following details respecting the history and architectural 

 features of this ancient building have been kindly 

 History of supplied by Rev. J. 0. Carrick, B.D., the present 

 Abbey. incumbent of the parish. The Abbey was founded 



by David I., about the year 1140, for Cistercian 

 monks brought from Melrose (which had become crowded) 

 under the leadership of Ralph, "a person of a beautiful 

 presence, continually occupied in divine meditation, who from 

 his youth loved his Creator with all his heart"; and the 

 name ascribed to it, Newbattle, or more properly, Newbottle, 

 which signifies "new residence," perpetuates the idea of a 

 new colony. It was built on the banks of the South Esk, 

 amid dense woodlands, and within the " Monkland Wall," 

 erected by William the Lion, parts of which are still standing. 



