OS1/12/12/1/22
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATHEDRAL In Ruins, on site of Holy Trinity Church [Elgin] | Cathedral (in Ruins) (on site of Holy Trinity Church) Cathedral (in Ruins) (on site of Holy Trinity Church) |
Mr Skinner Dr. [Doctor] Taylor Mr Robert Young &c. |
007.12 | "This noble edifice was founded by Bishop Andrew Murray in the year 1224, on the site of the Church of the Holy Trinity at the north east extremity of the town and, as he lived 18 years, it is probable that if he did not finish he greatly advanced the building. The Wolfe of Badenoch having seized upon and kept violent possession of some of the Bishop of Moray's lands, was excommunicated for this outrage, and in resentment burnt the town, the parish church of St. Giles, the Maison Dieu, the Cathedral and the greater part of the College in 1390 - The Cathedral was rebuilt with as little delay as possible in the form of a passion or Jerusalem cross, having 5 towers, two at each end and one in the centre. In the interior it had what is called the Nave for the numerous and splendid processions of Christian worship under Papal guidance, Aisles for the reception of the multitude to witness these processions, and a Choir for the actual performance of the sacred rites. On the north side was the Chapter House, communicating with the Choir by a valled vestry. These essential appendages of Romish worship, necessarily occupied a space of great magnitude as the following measurement, which is nearly accurate will shew:- Length of Cathedral over walls 264 feet, breadth 35, traverse 114, height of centre tower198, eastern turrets 60, western towers without the spires 84, side wall 36. The whole was of Gothic Architecture, in the style called "decorated English. This costly and imposing edifice stood entire in all its grandeur, until the Government of the Regent Morton was driven to the miserable shift of passing an Act of Council in the 14th February 1568 for stripping the lead off the Cathedral Churches of Aberdeen and Elgin, and selling it to pay the troops. This order was too faithfully executed and the Cathedral of Moray, thus uncovered, was suffered to decay as a piece of Romish vanity, too expensive to be kept in repair, The wooden work of the great tower gradually decayed and the foundation giving way it fell in the year 1711. The Chapter House, an exact octagon with a vaulted roof 34 feet high & supported in the centre by a column 24 feet high & 9 in circumference, on which rest arched pillars from each angle of the sides, is in good preservation. The turrets and walls of the Choir on the east end , and the towers on the west, between which was the grand entrance with its deep recess and bivalved door richly ornamented, are still standing at the dimensions already specified, but of the walls of the Nave and traverse only a few fragments remain." On the south side is St. Mary's Aisle the burying place of the Dukes of Gordon which is roofed and in good preservation. Near the central tower is a Runic Pillar or Cross which was found in High Street in 1823 a little to the east of the old Church of St. Giles and is evidently incomplete. The enclosure is still used as a burying ground - The fabric is kept in repair by the Board of Works. Copied from Statistical Acct. [Account] &c. |
| HOLY TRINITY CHURCH (Site of [Elgin Cathedral] | 007.12 | This noble edifice [the cathedral] was founded by Bishop Andrew Murray in the year 1224, on the site of the Church of the Holy Trinity at the north east extremity of the town | ||
| CHAPTER HOUSE [Elgin Cathedral] | 007.12 | The Chapter House, an exact octagon with a vaulted roof 34 feet high & supported in the centre by a column 24 feet high & 9 in circumference, on which rest arched pillars from each angle of the sides, is in good preservation. | ||
| ST MARY'S AISLE [Elgin Cathedral] | 007.12 | On the south side is St. Mary's Aisle the burying place of the Dukes of Gordon which is roofed and in good preservation. | ||
| RUNIC PILLAR Sculptured (Found in High Street A.D. 1823 [Elgin Cathedral] | 007.12 | Near the central tower is a Runic Pillar or Cross which was found in High Street in 1823 a little to the east of the old Church of St. Giles and is evidently incomplete. |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 22City of Elgin
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Alison James- Moderator, Dave Thow, hastingleigh
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