east-lothian-1924/05-196

Transcription

SALTOUN.] -- INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS IN EAST LOTHIAN. -- [SALTOUN.

meter of the capital at the top of the abacus
is 1 foot 4 1/4 inches by 1 foot 5 inches.
MONUMENTAL SLABS.-Before the south
window are two monumental slabs : (1)
measures 5 feet 11 inches by 2 feet 3 inches ;
it bears a shield with the field recessed leaving
the charge, an engrailed cross (Sinclair) in
relief. The initials W S flank the shield.
Around the edge of the stone is inscribed
in Gothic lettering :
" HEIR LYIS YE RICHT HONORABIL
SCHIR WILLIAM SYNCLAR UMGLE
OF HERDMESTON KNYT QUHA
DECEISIT YE 2 OF JUNE ANNO 1594 "
Each angle is occupied by a square panel
recessed leaving in relief an engrailed cross.
(2) Measures 5 feet 10 inches by 2 feet 4
inches and has a shield bearing three cocks
and a crescent (Cockburn). On the top of the
shield is the letter D and on the dexter side the
initial S, on the sinister side the initial C.
Around the edges of the slab runs the legend in
Gothic characters :
" HEIR LYIS YE RICHT HONORABIL
DAME SIBILLA COKBURNE SPOUS
TO UMQLE SCHIR WILLIAM
SYNCLAR OF HIRDMESTOUN
KNYCHT "
The chapel is kept in good repair.
HISTORICAL NOTE.-This chapel was founded
at some date in the early 13th century by John
Sinclair of Herdmanston (cf. Introd. p. xx) with
a chaplain for the convenience of his family and
guests. Provision was made against any
possible loss in the way of gifts by the " mother
church " of Salton, which belonged to the
Abbey of Dryburgh ; the chaplain was made
subject to Salton Church, and the Abbey was
granted a small piece of land in consideration
of the concession.1
The chapel appears in deeds as " the chapel
of St. John the Evangelist near the castle " of
Herdmanston.
1 Reg. de Dryburgh, pp. 135-6 ; Inquisit.
Special. Hadd. Nos. 340, 388. Reg. Mag. Sig.
(1505) s.a.
ix. S.E. 28 August 1913.

CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC STRUCTURES.

163. Herdmanston House.-The south and
east wings of the mansion of Herdmanston have
been so modernised as to render the date of

107

their building unascertainable. Their dis-
position is L-shaped (fig. 156). The main block,
which contains vaulted chambers and, in the
north gable, a circular staircase, measures 67
feet by 26 3/4 feet, the wing 30 1/2 feet by 36 feet.
The plan and area of the structure suggest
its erection in the late 16th century, but this
date is to some extent discounted by the great
thickness of walling, which averages 7 feet and
so suggests a much earlier period. The strength
of the place is spoken of below. To the west
of the house is a wide semicircular arched
gateway with voussoirs and jamb-stones alter-
nately plain and rusticated. Over the key-
stone is a panel bearing a shield charged with
the engrailed

[illustration inserted]
FIG. 156.-Herdmanston (No. 163).

cross of the
Sinclairs ; be-
low the shield
are the initials
I S. This gate-
way dates from
the late 17th or
the early 18th
century. Beside
the stables to
the north-east
of the house is
another gateway of the same period, and
on the front of the stables is built a semi-
circular pediment which bears an eagle for
crest and mantling over two shields, each
charged with an engrailed cross. (Sinclair).
Flanking the shields are the initials S I S S M S
and the date 1647. On a scroll is the motto
INTAND TOY.

HISTORICAL NOTE.-On the St. Clairs of
Herdmanstoun see Introd. p. xx. In Feb.
1548 Lord Grey of Wilton reported to Somerset
that he had got into his hands with other
castles in the neighbourhood that of " Har-
myston . . which the Governor has afore time
besieged with great ordnance, and not won-
and is so strong that my servant Captain
Bagshott, will take in hand to hold it against
all Scotland."1 A John Sinclair was heir-
apparent of Herdmaurton in 1638.2

1 Scottish Papers i., p. 81, No. 168 ; 2 Reg.
Mag Sig. s.a., No. 1638.

ix. S.E. 28 August 1913.