History of Dunfermline
Encyclopedia
Dunfermline is a former burgh and town in Fife. The town grew from the influence of Queen Margaret
as an important eccestrial burgh in Scotland. Until the mid-15th century, the town was also the capital of Scotland. The passing of an act in 1603 saw the end of the eccestrial status held in the town which led to decline.
around which the rivulet crooks and drops over a 15 foot cascade of the Ferm burn.
One of the earliest records of the city was known for being used as a centre of the Culdees in 570 AD, based on a site near or on the grounds of the present Abbey. Written history of Dunfermline begins with King Malcolm III in the mid-11th century whom would play a pivotal role transferring power from Forteviot in Perthshire to Dunfermline becoming the seat of power and capital of Scotland.
King Malcolm III accepted marriage to Queen Margaret in 1069 as his second wife after she met him in his royal residence which would became the site of Dunfermline Palace.
According to St Dunleum, there is a belief that they may have met previously. Margaret's Benedictine education - for which she brought as and became a devout catholic - encouraged him to convert the small Culdee church into a Benedictine priory to bring her faith to Scotland to replace the basic needs of the Culdees. The new church was inaugurated around 1072 with Lanfranc, then-Archbishop of Canterbury sending Benedictine monks on the insistence of Margaret who not only dedicated the priory to the holy trinity. Another dedication to the priory was also made to the "crucifix of the holy saviour" made of ebony, gold and silver and covered in gems from her own homeland.
King Malcolm III was killed at the battle of Alnwick, Queen Margaret died in Edinburgh Castle on 10 November 1093.
The body of the Queen was taken to Dunfermline for her burial on a site near the Rwde Awtre (the Altar of the Holy Cross or Rood) via the Queen's Ferry but this was journey was made with great difficulty particularly when the castle was under siege by Donald Bane with the only exit in the from of a secret door in the abbey church.
, with Priory Geoffrey in place as the first abbot. During the course of several decades, the abbey gained power and wealth in Dunfermline with the dedication of 26 altars being gifted by the individuals and guilds and the bishop of Dunfermline controlled a large piece of land from Moray to Berwickshire close to the English border which included four burghs and three courts of regality.
The abbey was also given permission to dig the lands of Pittencrieff in 1291 for the extraction of coal for personal usage on a lease - the oldest record of not only coal mining but also Fife industry benefiting many people who would eventually depend on this livelihood as their source of work in West Fife.
There were five individual developments to the abbey all occurring between 1128 and 1450 with the construction of a nave around 1140; the expansion of the choir of the mastried church complete with a shrine in 1240 which was followed by major restoration work of the recetory partially assisted by Robert the Bruce - who died shortly after and was buried in the graveyard - in 1329 and then later with a new West Gave by Bishop Richard de Bothwell in 1450. Further work centered around the north-west tower of the nave between 1594 and 1599 by William Shaw.
The abbey though did have some rough patches with the force of the troops of Edward I causing substantial damage in 1303 which he claimed beforehand: "not a church, but a den of thieves.....a throne in the eye of the English throne" with another contribution by the reformation lords in 1560 causing the demolition of some parts - including the removal of shrine of St Margaret which has been labelled as maybe their worst act - deterorating the state of the abbey further.
with evidence suggesting that burgh of barony status took place between 1124 and 1147. Royal burgh status was later granted by James VII in 1588.
The construction of six gates in Dunfermline in 1396 were to maintain the burgher's rights; the need for tolls and to a lesser extent to defend. These gates were: The Mill or Collieraw Port (East of Bruce Street); Rottenraw port (near the top of South Chapel Street); Crosswynd Port (now Crosswynd) East Port; Tolbooth Port (bottom of Bruce Street) and West Port (middle of St Catherines Wynd).
Dunfermline would remain as the capital of Scotland until the brutal murder of James II at Perth
in 1436. The royal family felt safer in Edinburgh Castle, as burghs such as Dunfermline and Stirling could not provide protection in defense of the nobles.
by the Reformation. Dunfermline quickly sank into decline.
In the 18th century, the city impressed Daniel Defoe
as showing the "full perfection of decay". The town would soon regained prosperity with the introduction of the weaving of linen damask - which would eventually become recognised as the world's leading producer - established by James Blake in 1718 after being inspired by having gained the experience of the special technique of one in Edinburgh
as the way to take Dunfermline forward. Dunfermline became one of four main centres of the industry alongside Kirkcaldy
, Dysart and Leslie
in 1810. Although the first power looms in operation brought greater demand for the town's linen industry by 1825 as Dunfermline began to acknowledge the coming of the industrial revolution. The undemining success of the linen in dunfermline was prompted by a report by the Ordnance Gazette in 1894 who said: "The damask manufacture of Dunfermline is probably unequalled in the world for design and beauty of finish". Among other industries that have largely contributed to the welfare of the town are dyeing, bleaching; soap (from 1790s); rope-making (from 1830s);iron founding ; textile milling; distillery and brewing.
Saint Margaret of Scotland
Saint Margaret of Scotland , also known as Margaret of Wessex and Queen Margaret of Scotland, was an English princess of the House of Wessex. Born in exile in Hungary, she was the sister of Edgar Ætheling, the short-ruling and uncrowned Anglo-Saxon King of England...
as an important eccestrial burgh in Scotland. Until the mid-15th century, the town was also the capital of Scotland. The passing of an act in 1603 saw the end of the eccestrial status held in the town which led to decline.
Early history
Pictish and Celtic names in the Dunfermline area are multiple. For example, the "bal" (a dwelling) found in Balmule and Balclune; the prefix "caer" (a castle) found in Carnock (caer-knock), Cairneyhill and Keirsbeath and Pittencrieff and Pitreative from "pit". Dunfermline is derived from "Dun" (fortified hill), "fiaram" (bent or crooked) and "lin" (a cascade or pool). A reference of the city's name is found in the tower hillMalcolm's Tower
Malcolm's Tower is traditionally accepted as a historic site in the Scottish city of Dunfermline. The tower stood on a highly defensible peninsular outcrop of rock above a deep ravine and is the site from which the city derives its name...
around which the rivulet crooks and drops over a 15 foot cascade of the Ferm burn.
One of the earliest records of the city was known for being used as a centre of the Culdees in 570 AD, based on a site near or on the grounds of the present Abbey. Written history of Dunfermline begins with King Malcolm III in the mid-11th century whom would play a pivotal role transferring power from Forteviot in Perthshire to Dunfermline becoming the seat of power and capital of Scotland.
King Malcolm III accepted marriage to Queen Margaret in 1069 as his second wife after she met him in his royal residence which would became the site of Dunfermline Palace.
According to St Dunleum, there is a belief that they may have met previously. Margaret's Benedictine education - for which she brought as and became a devout catholic - encouraged him to convert the small Culdee church into a Benedictine priory to bring her faith to Scotland to replace the basic needs of the Culdees. The new church was inaugurated around 1072 with Lanfranc, then-Archbishop of Canterbury sending Benedictine monks on the insistence of Margaret who not only dedicated the priory to the holy trinity. Another dedication to the priory was also made to the "crucifix of the holy saviour" made of ebony, gold and silver and covered in gems from her own homeland.
King Malcolm III was killed at the battle of Alnwick, Queen Margaret died in Edinburgh Castle on 10 November 1093.
The body of the Queen was taken to Dunfermline for her burial on a site near the Rwde Awtre (the Altar of the Holy Cross or Rood) via the Queen's Ferry but this was journey was made with great difficulty particularly when the castle was under siege by Donald Bane with the only exit in the from of a secret door in the abbey church.
Creation and influence of Dunfermline Abbey
The Benedictine priory was raised to the rank of an abbey in 1128 by David IIDavid II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
, with Priory Geoffrey in place as the first abbot. During the course of several decades, the abbey gained power and wealth in Dunfermline with the dedication of 26 altars being gifted by the individuals and guilds and the bishop of Dunfermline controlled a large piece of land from Moray to Berwickshire close to the English border which included four burghs and three courts of regality.
The abbey was also given permission to dig the lands of Pittencrieff in 1291 for the extraction of coal for personal usage on a lease - the oldest record of not only coal mining but also Fife industry benefiting many people who would eventually depend on this livelihood as their source of work in West Fife.
There were five individual developments to the abbey all occurring between 1128 and 1450 with the construction of a nave around 1140; the expansion of the choir of the mastried church complete with a shrine in 1240 which was followed by major restoration work of the recetory partially assisted by Robert the Bruce - who died shortly after and was buried in the graveyard - in 1329 and then later with a new West Gave by Bishop Richard de Bothwell in 1450. Further work centered around the north-west tower of the nave between 1594 and 1599 by William Shaw.
The abbey though did have some rough patches with the force of the troops of Edward I causing substantial damage in 1303 which he claimed beforehand: "not a church, but a den of thieves.....a throne in the eye of the English throne" with another contribution by the reformation lords in 1560 causing the demolition of some parts - including the removal of shrine of St Margaret which has been labelled as maybe their worst act - deterorating the state of the abbey further.
History of the town's name and Royal Burgh status
The town's name was first recorded as "Dunfermelitane" in the confirmation charters by David I in 1128. The name of "Dunfermline" was not officially adopted until 1609 but references had been made in the seals and badges of the royal coat of arms. Dunfermline was credited as a "menus burgh" by David IIDavid II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
with evidence suggesting that burgh of barony status took place between 1124 and 1147. Royal burgh status was later granted by James VII in 1588.
The construction of six gates in Dunfermline in 1396 were to maintain the burgher's rights; the need for tolls and to a lesser extent to defend. These gates were: The Mill or Collieraw Port (East of Bruce Street); Rottenraw port (near the top of South Chapel Street); Crosswynd Port (now Crosswynd) East Port; Tolbooth Port (bottom of Bruce Street) and West Port (middle of St Catherines Wynd).
Dunfermline would remain as the capital of Scotland until the brutal murder of James II at Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
in 1436. The royal family felt safer in Edinburgh Castle, as burghs such as Dunfermline and Stirling could not provide protection in defense of the nobles.
Decline of royal status and birth of the linen industry
The relocation of the Scottish courts to London being the result of the union of the crowns drawn up in 1603 saw the loss of the city's royal connections. A subsequent fire in 1624, saw a large part of the city in ruin, before being deprived of the eccestrial centre along with St AndrewsSt Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
by the Reformation. Dunfermline quickly sank into decline.
In the 18th century, the city impressed Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe , born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, and pamphleteer, who gained fame for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain and along with others such as Richardson,...
as showing the "full perfection of decay". The town would soon regained prosperity with the introduction of the weaving of linen damask - which would eventually become recognised as the world's leading producer - established by James Blake in 1718 after being inspired by having gained the experience of the special technique of one in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
as the way to take Dunfermline forward. Dunfermline became one of four main centres of the industry alongside Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
, Dysart and Leslie
Leslie, Fife
Leslie is a large village on the northern tip of the River Leven Valley, to the west of Glenrothes in Fife. According to the population estimates , the village has a population of 3,092. The village was granted burgh of barony status by James II in 1458 for George Leslie who became the first Earl...
in 1810. Although the first power looms in operation brought greater demand for the town's linen industry by 1825 as Dunfermline began to acknowledge the coming of the industrial revolution. The undemining success of the linen in dunfermline was prompted by a report by the Ordnance Gazette in 1894 who said: "The damask manufacture of Dunfermline is probably unequalled in the world for design and beauty of finish". Among other industries that have largely contributed to the welfare of the town are dyeing, bleaching; soap (from 1790s); rope-making (from 1830s);iron founding ; textile milling; distillery and brewing.