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Continued entries/extra info

[page] 38

[Continued from page 37]
wrinkled pretensions to faded beauty and the four pillars which support the central
tower display some architectural grace but the other parts which remain of the edifice
do not prove it to have been either capacious or very ornamental. The belfry or steeple
is ascended by a narrow Spiral stair and has such comparative meanness of altitude
and aspect as to be not altogether unsuitably now occupied as a dovecot. Within the choir
are the baptismal fount a curious recess where corpses were laid during the celebration
of the funeral service and the monument of Sir Walter Lindsay the second last
preceptor. Fragments of old massive buildings in the village and the stones in the fences
over the face of the adjacent country indicate how great and magnificent a seat of
population once surrounded the church. etc. etc.

The Knights were introduced to this establishment by David I. and had many possessions
conferred on them by him and his Successors and afterwards when the Knights Templars were
unfrocked and put under ban they inherited the extensive property of that great rival order
In 1291 and 1296 Alexander de wells "prior hospitalis Sancti Johannis Jeruslomitani in Scotia"
Swore fealty to Edward 1 and in 1298 he was slain in the battle of Falkirk. From precepts
which Edward issued to the Sheriffs to restore the property of the Knights the preceptory seems-
even at that early period to had estates in almost every Shire except Argyle Bute &. Orkney etc. etc. -- Fullarton's Gazetteer of Scotland.

Note. for account of the Sanctuary which surrounded the Preceptory See acct. [account] of the "Refuge Stones". [pages 27 and 28]