DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61904#0196
184
MELROSE ABBEY.
continued a fimple ftrudture fo long as it remained a part of
the kingdom of Northumberland. In 1020 the boundaries of
Scotland were ftretched from the Tweed to the Cheviots, and
the part of Northumberland now called Roxburghlhire became
part and parcel of Scotland. In courfe of time the eftablilh-
ment at Melrofe declined, the houfe became ruinous, and the
abbey was granted to the monks of Coldingham during thofe
religious times when the monks had much to aik, and the king
and barons much to give. A hamlet, now called Old Melrofe,
ftill marks the fite of the ancient houfe.
In 1136 the pious David raifed a new and much fuperior
abbey, about two miles weftward of the original fite, but on
the fame fouth bank of the Tweed, and eftablifhed in it the
Ciftercians. He conferred on them extenfive lands and
privileges; the lands of Melros, Eldun, and Dernwie; the lands
and wood of Gattonfide, with the fifhings of the Tweed along
the whole extent of thofe lands ; with the right of pafturage
and pannage in his forefts of Selkirk and Traguair, and in the
foreft between the Gala and the Leeder, with wood from thofe
forefts for building and burning. In 1192 Jocelin, Biftiop of
Glafgow, granted to the monks of Melrofe the church of
Haflindean, with its lands, tithes, and other emoluments, “ad
fufceptionum pauperum et peregrinorum ad donum de Melros
venientem.” From this caufe the old tower of Haffindean was
called “ Monks’Tower,” and the farm adjoining the church
is ftill called “Monks’ Croft.” In facft, the Abbey of Melrofe
was a fort of inn, not only to the poor, but to fome of the
greateft men of the time. The Scottifh kings from time to
time, and wealthy fubjects too, added frelh grants; fo that in
the twelfth and thirteenth centuries they had accumulated vaft
pofteffions and immunities; had many tenants, great hufband-
men, with many granges and numerous herds. They had much
MELROSE ABBEY.
continued a fimple ftrudture fo long as it remained a part of
the kingdom of Northumberland. In 1020 the boundaries of
Scotland were ftretched from the Tweed to the Cheviots, and
the part of Northumberland now called Roxburghlhire became
part and parcel of Scotland. In courfe of time the eftablilh-
ment at Melrofe declined, the houfe became ruinous, and the
abbey was granted to the monks of Coldingham during thofe
religious times when the monks had much to aik, and the king
and barons much to give. A hamlet, now called Old Melrofe,
ftill marks the fite of the ancient houfe.
In 1136 the pious David raifed a new and much fuperior
abbey, about two miles weftward of the original fite, but on
the fame fouth bank of the Tweed, and eftablifhed in it the
Ciftercians. He conferred on them extenfive lands and
privileges; the lands of Melros, Eldun, and Dernwie; the lands
and wood of Gattonfide, with the fifhings of the Tweed along
the whole extent of thofe lands ; with the right of pafturage
and pannage in his forefts of Selkirk and Traguair, and in the
foreft between the Gala and the Leeder, with wood from thofe
forefts for building and burning. In 1192 Jocelin, Biftiop of
Glafgow, granted to the monks of Melrofe the church of
Haflindean, with its lands, tithes, and other emoluments, “ad
fufceptionum pauperum et peregrinorum ad donum de Melros
venientem.” From this caufe the old tower of Haffindean was
called “ Monks’Tower,” and the farm adjoining the church
is ftill called “Monks’ Croft.” In facft, the Abbey of Melrofe
was a fort of inn, not only to the poor, but to fome of the
greateft men of the time. The Scottifh kings from time to
time, and wealthy fubjects too, added frelh grants; fo that in
the twelfth and thirteenth centuries they had accumulated vaft
pofteffions and immunities; had many tenants, great hufband-
men, with many granges and numerous herds. They had much