As a result of the turbulent history of that region, these Monasteries, on both sides of the border came under frequent attack from both sides in the Border wars, before being destroyed by the evil of the Reformation.
The 4 great abbeys were to be found in Jedburgh, Kelso, Dryburgh and Melrose. They were magnificent building built to the Glory of God.
You could easily visit all 4 abbeys in one day, though if you wanted to spend an appreciable amount of time in each, 2 days would probably be better.
The full history of each can be found from the links on this blog.
Melrose Abbey
King David I asked monks from Rievaulx abbey in Yorkshire to found an an Abbey in Melrose. Initially David wanted it built on the site of St. Aidan's Monastery, but the Cistercians needed good farming land and negotiated for a site 2 miles further away, in what is today the town of Melrose.
The Heart of Robert the Bruce was buried here.
Kelso Abbey
David had founded a Tironesian Monastery in Selkirk in 1113. in 1128, the community moved to Kelso to build a monastery there. It took over 75 years to build
Dryburgh Abbey
Dryburgh dates to 1150. Hugh de Moreville, a friend od David I was the benefactor. In later life he became a novice there, dying in 1162. Interestingly, his son Hugh was involved in the murder of Thomas A' Becket in 1170
Jedburgh Abbey
David established this building as a Priory in 1138. He was seeking to demonstrate to the English that Scotland could build impressive monasteries too. in 1154, it was raised to the status of an Abbey, run by Augustinian Black Canons.
Enough remains of these Abbeys to appreciate how impressive they were. It well worth spendinf the time to visit all four.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ustours/borderabbeys/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/earlychurch/trails_earlychurch_borderabbeys.shtml
Melrose |
Melrose |
Dryburgh |
Dryburgh |
Dryburgh |
Dryburgh |
Dryburgh |
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