east-lothian-1924/05-066

Transcription

ABERLADY ] -- INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS IN EAST LOTHIAN. -- [ATHELSTANEFORD.

the eastern range. These are represented only
by the lower courses of the north wall.
The building is to-day entered through the
fine Renaissance doorway on the south (fig.
41), which has moulded jambs, lintel and cor-
nice. On the lintel is carved in raised letters
M I L NISI . DOMINVS . FRUSTRA . R D with a
cinquefoil balancing the two first initials. The
initials have been explained above. At either
end of the cornice is a lumpy finial, which flanks
a moulded panel space supported by trusses ;
the panel is greatly destroyed and appears to
be inverted ; the charge is three piles conjoined
in point. Above the panel is a raking and
broken cornice with a mid-finial ; in the
tympanum are repeated the initials M I L R D ,
the first three in monogram and flanked by
the other two. The doorway enters at the foot
of a wide wheel-stair, behind which, on the north,
is a small chamber, and on the west the kitchen
with large fireplace and flue in the west gable
and an aumbry recess in the north jamb of the
fireplace. North of the kitchen is a gallery
with a barrel-vaulted roof lit by shafts in the
north haunch of the vault, and on the west
a scale stair leads down from the north entrance
to the kitchen level ; beneath the stair is a
vaulted cellar. A similar arrangement of
apartments is found on each of the floors.
It is worth noting that only the three lower
floors of the north gallery and the cellar under
the stair are vaulted; the remaining apartments
have been ceiled in wood. The support of the
scoinson arches of the two-light window on the
second floor of the west wing by a heavy corbel
is characteristically Scottish. The walls in-
ternally have been plastered " on the hard."

DIMENSIONS. - The total area covered by the
mansion and its courtyard measures 100 feet
from N. to S. by 106 feet from E. to W. The
oldest portion of the house measures 22 feet
from N. to S. by 45 feet from E. to W.
The building is in a very ruinous state and
urgently requires attention.
FIREPLACE. - Within the neighbouring house
of the tenant is a fine 17th century fireplace
with moulded jambs and lintel, the outer
moulding being enriched with a curious and
rudimentary egg-and-dart ornament. The fire-
place is stated to have been removed from
Redhouse, but the fireplaces there are quite
unlike this example, having merely rounded
jambs and lintels, and in any case seem
complete.
HISTORICAL NOTE. - The lands of " Eister
Spittell " or " Eister Reidspittell " or Red-
house came to John Laing, keeper of the
royal signet and Rebecca Dennistoun his
spouse, by purchase from the superior David
Lindsay of Balcarres at the instigation and
with the consent of Sir George Douglas of
Redhouse and his heir ; the royal confirmation
to the charter is dated 1607. In 1612 there is
a ratification of an instrument of sasine granted
in 1608 by the late John Laing of " Spittellis "
conferring the property on Sir Andrew Hamilton
of Redhouse and Lady Jeanne Layng his wife,
daughter and heiress of John Laing, Hamilton
being a judge or " senator of the Supreme
Court." In 1621 a charter of novodamus of
the lands of Easter Spittal otherwise Easter
Redspittal " with the manor (called Red-
house)" erected the whole estate into the free
barony of Reidhouse and single sasine was given
apud turrim et maneriem de Reidhouse. ¹

1 Reg. Mag. Sig. s.a. Nos. 1990, 778, 204.

iv. S.E. 23 March 1920.

MISCELLANEOUS.

8. Aberlady Market Cross. - The cross stands
on the north side of the village street ; it
consists of a square sectioned shaft 6 feet in
length and 10 inches in diameter inserted in
a plinth 2 feet 3 inches square and 1 foot 11
inches high resting on a graduated base of
four tiers 3 feet 8 inches in height with a
maximum diameter of 9 feet 1 inch. The
shaft has been renewed.
The Cross is illustrated in Small's Scottish
Market Crosses, Plate 75.

iv. N.E. 2 June 1913.

ATHELSTANEFORD.

ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURE.

9. "St. John's Chapel." - In the garden west
of Drem house are the ruins of a small chapel
" called St. John's Chapel, which belonged to
the Knights Templars." ¹ The building has
measured over walls 43 feet from east to west
and 21 feet from north to south. A portion

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CorrieBuidhe- Moderator, Douglas Montgomery

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