Lindores Abbey
Encyclopedia
Lindores Abbey was a Tironensian
abbey
on the outskirts of Newburgh
in Fife
, Scotland
. Now a much reduced and overgrown ruin, it lies on the southern banks of the River Tay
, about 1 miles (1.6 km) north of the village of Lindores
.
The abbey was founded as a daughter house of Kelso Abbey
about 1191 (some sources say 1178), by David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of William the Lion. The first abbot
was Guido, Prior of Kelso, under whom the buildings were mostly completed. The church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. Andrew, was 195 feet (59.4 m) long, with transepts 110 feet (33.5 m) long. Edward I of England
, John Balliol, David II
, and James III
were among the monarchs who visited Lindores at different times.
The earliest record of scotch whisky
cited by the exchequer roll for 1494 is a commission from King James IV
to Friar John Cor of Lindores Abbey to make about ‘eight bols of malt’ or 580 kg of aquavitae.
The abbey was sacked by a mob from Dundee in 1543, and again by John Knox
and his supporters in 1559. In the following years the Abbey buildings were quarried as a source of building stone for Newburgh, and a number of architectural fragments are visible built into later structures in the town. The main upstanding remains of the Abbey are: one of the gateways leading into the monastic enclosure; the groin-vaulted slype, leading from the cloister garth to the exterior of the Abbey; and parts of the chancel walls and western tower of the church, although the ground plan of the whole structure can still be traced. Sections of the imposing precinct wall which once enclosed the abbey can also be seen in fields to the south.
Wooden panels of the early 16th century survive from the Abbey in the Laing Museum, Newburgh and, reset in a 19th century cabinet, in St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Dundee
.
Tironensian
The Tironensian Order or the Order of Tiron was a Roman Catholic monastic order named after the location of the mother abbey in the woods of Tiron in Perche, some 35 miles west of Chartres in France)...
abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
on the outskirts of Newburgh
Newburgh, Fife
Newburgh is a royal burgh of Fife, Scotland having a population of 2040 . Newburgh has grown little since 1901 when the population was counted at 1904 persons....
in Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Now a much reduced and overgrown ruin, it lies on the southern banks of the River Tay
River Tay
The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland and the seventh-longest in the United Kingdom. The Tay originates in western Scotland on the slopes of Ben Lui , then flows easterly across the Highlands, through Loch Dochhart, Loch Lubhair and Loch Tay, then continues east through Strathtay , in...
, about 1 miles (1.6 km) north of the village of Lindores
Lindores
Lindores is a small village in Fife, Scotland, about 2 miles south-east of Newburgh. It is situated on the north-east shore of Lindores Loch, a 44 ha freshwater loch. A possible derivation of the name Lindores is 'church by the water'...
.
The abbey was founded as a daughter house of Kelso Abbey
Kelso Abbey
Kelso Abbey is what remains of a Scottish abbey founded in the 12th century by a community of Tironensian monks first brought to Scotland in the reign of Alexander I. It occupies ground overlooking the confluence of the Tweed and Teviot waters, the site of what was once the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh...
about 1191 (some sources say 1178), by David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of William the Lion. The first abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
was Guido, Prior of Kelso, under whom the buildings were mostly completed. The church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. Andrew, was 195 feet (59.4 m) long, with transepts 110 feet (33.5 m) long. Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
, John Balliol, David II
David II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
, and James III
James III of Scotland
James III was King of Scots from 1460 to 1488. James was an unpopular and ineffective monarch owing to an unwillingness to administer justice fairly, a policy of pursuing alliance with the Kingdom of England, and a disastrous relationship with nearly all his extended family.His reputation as the...
were among the monarchs who visited Lindores at different times.
The earliest record of scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
cited by the exchequer roll for 1494 is a commission from King James IV
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
to Friar John Cor of Lindores Abbey to make about ‘eight bols of malt’ or 580 kg of aquavitae.
The abbey was sacked by a mob from Dundee in 1543, and again by John Knox
John Knox
John Knox was a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation who brought reformation to the church in Scotland. He was educated at the University of St Andrews or possibly the University of Glasgow and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1536...
and his supporters in 1559. In the following years the Abbey buildings were quarried as a source of building stone for Newburgh, and a number of architectural fragments are visible built into later structures in the town. The main upstanding remains of the Abbey are: one of the gateways leading into the monastic enclosure; the groin-vaulted slype, leading from the cloister garth to the exterior of the Abbey; and parts of the chancel walls and western tower of the church, although the ground plan of the whole structure can still be traced. Sections of the imposing precinct wall which once enclosed the abbey can also be seen in fields to the south.
Wooden panels of the early 16th century survive from the Abbey in the Laing Museum, Newburgh and, reset in a 19th century cabinet, in St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
.
Notable events
- 1191: Abbey founded by David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon, on land granted by his brother King William I.
- 1284 January 17: Alexander, Prince of Scotland, died at Lindores, at the age of 19. His death created a succession crisis, eventually leading to Scotland's war with England.
- 1298: Sir William WallaceWilliam WallaceSir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
visits the Abbey after victory at the Battle of Blackearnside.
- 1402: David Stewart, Duke of RothesayDavid Stewart, Duke of RothesayDavid Stewart was the heir to the throne of Scotland from 1390 and the first Duke of Rothesay from 1398. He also held the titles of Earl of Atholl and Earl of Carrick...
, is buried at the Abby, after his death at Falkland PalaceFalkland PalaceFalkland Palace in Falkland, Fife, Scotland, is a former royal palace of the Scottish Kings. Today it is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, and serves as a tourist attraction.-Early years:...
. - 1488: James Douglas, 9th Earl of DouglasJames Douglas, 9th Earl of DouglasJames Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas, 3rd Earl of Avondale KG was a Scottish nobleman, last of the 'Black' earls of Douglas. He was a twin, the older by a few minutes, the younger was Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray....
, is buried at the Abby, after his death there. - 1494 June 1: Earliest known recording of "Aqua Vitae" (Scotch whiskyScotch whiskyScotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
) in ExchequerExchequerThe Exchequer is a government department of the United Kingdom responsible for the management and collection of taxation and other government revenues. The historical Exchequer developed judicial roles...
Rolls refers to Friar John CorJohn CorJohn Cor is the name of the friar referred to in the first known written reference to a batch of Scotch Whisky on June 1, 1495.“To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae VIII bolls of malt.” — Exchequer Rolls 1494–95, Vol x, p. 487....
, a Tironension monk of the Abbey. - 1559: John KnoxJohn KnoxJohn Knox was a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation who brought reformation to the church in Scotland. He was educated at the University of St Andrews or possibly the University of Glasgow and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1536...
sacks the Abbey after his speech at PerthPerth, ScotlandPerth 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...
, dispersing stonework throughout NewburghNewburgh, FifeNewburgh is a royal burgh of Fife, Scotland having a population of 2040 . Newburgh has grown little since 1901 when the population was counted at 1904 persons....
. - 1793 or 1813: Title of Lord LindoresLord LindoresThe title of Lord Lindores was a Lordship of Parliament in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created on 31 March 1600 for Patrick Leslie. Since the death of the eighth lord in 1813, the lordship has remained unclaimed, i.e. it has been dormant since....
goes dormant, with abbey lands divided between various families. - 1912 (approx): Abbey and neighbouring farm purchased from Mugdrum Estate by John Howison and is still in decendance of the family.
See also
- Abbot of LindoresAbbot of LindoresThe Abbot of Lindores was the head of the Tironensian monastic community and lands of Lindores Abbey, Fife . The position was created when the abbey was founded sometime between 1190 and 1191 by King William the Lion's brother Prince David, Earl of Huntingdon and Lord of Garioch...
, for a list of abbots and commendators - National Archives of Scotland for the exchequer rollNational Archives of ScotlandBased in Edinburgh, the National Archives of Scotland are the national archives of Scotland. The NAS claims to have one of the most varied collection of archives in Europe...