OS1/13/102/35

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 35
Parish of St Andrews

"The Cathedral which was by far the most extensive of the religious erections at St Andrews is situated in the vicinity of St Regulus' Tower. It was constructed in the form of a Latin cross, the extreme length of the nave or principal part of the building being about 370 feet in length and the breadth 72 feet the thickness of the walls included and the transept being in length 180 feet. The foundation of the building was laid in the year 1159 during the reign of Malcolm lV who was present at the ceremony, but it was not finished until the reign of Robert Bruce who was present at its consecration in 1318. About 160 years consequently elapsed between the dates of the two events. Fifty years after its consecration a considerable part of the edifice was accidently burnt and after its reparation the succeeding priors kept it in a proper state of repair and some of them contributed materially both to its internal external decoration. At the period of the Reformation the animosity existing between the Roman Catholics and the Protestants in Scotland was strong and led to an open warfare. The celebrated John Knox the zealous supporter and champion of Protestantism had for some time been resident at St Andrews and his public ministrations in this city and in the neighbouring towns had been attended by vast multitudes who adhered to his views; and having expressed in his discourses the notion that the destruction of the religious edifices might be one of the most effectual means of eradicating popery the heated multitude eagerly imbibed the idea and proceeded without delay to put it into execution. The religious edifices in St Andrews were accordingly assailed and in a very few hours what had been the labour of ages were involved in ruins. When the Cathedral was entire it had six spires or turrets, two at each of the extremities of the nave one at the southern extremity of the transept and one in the centre at the intersection of the nave and transept. The two turrets at the eastern extremity and one of the two [continues]

Transcriber's notes

Continuation of Description for Cathedral

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JCB

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