DUDDINGSTON CHURCH, Mid-Lothian.
This ancient Norman edifice has formed the place of worship for the locality since the twelfth century, and is still used as the parish church. It is picturesquely situated on the north side of Duddingston Loch,
Fig. 291.—Duddingston Church. Plan.
immediately under the south side of Arthur’s Seat, and within a mile of Edinburgh.
Fig. 292.—Duddingston Church. From South-East.
The structure has undergone many alterations during the six centuries of its existence, but still retains its original Norman character to a greater extent than at first sight might be supposed; indeed, it is one of the best preserved examples we have in Scotland, although the introduction of a
Fig. 293.—Duddingston Church. South Doorway.
few prominent features in later times, such as the windows and buttresses, have somewhat detracted from its antique appearance.
The building appears to have originally consisted of a nave and chancel; if it had a tower, it must have been of smaller dimensions than the present one, as the base of the west wall abuts against the side walls of the present tower instead of returning along it, as it would otherwise in all likelihood have done.
The nave ([Fig. 291]) measures about 33 feet 4 inches long, and was probably about 19 feet wide inside. The chancel is about square, being 16 feet 1½ inch from east to west by 15 feet 6 inches wide, the total inside length of the church being 52 feet 9 inches.
On the outside a series of pilaster buttresses divided the nave into four bays; these still exist along the south side, measuring about 2 feet on the face, and having a projection of 9 inches, with a large base returned round them. To these pilasters massive buttresses ([Fig. 292]) projecting three feet have been added. At the corners of the church the original angle pilasters remain unaltered. The old doorway in the west bay of the south side ([Fig. 293]) still continues unchanged, except that it
Fig. 294.—Duddingston Church.
is built up, and has an incongruous granite slab occupying the whole space. The opening of the doorway is about 4 feet 2 inches wide. The arch is richly sculptured with the chevron in two orders, the inner order being supported on shafts decorated with the chevron in a manner not found, we think, anywhere else in Scotland. On one of these shafts there are two sculptured scenes. The upper one represents the Crucifixion. (See [Fig. 293.]) The lower one ([Fig. 294]) shows a figure holding aloft a drawn sword; beside the sword, in the shade where the shaft disappears at the jamb, there is what looks like a key, possibly the symbol of St. Peter, so that the subject may be the incident of cutting off the ear of the High Priest.
The chancel arch ([Fig. 295]) is the only Norman feature now remaining in the interior. It is in two orders, having on the outer order the usual chevron ornament, with a notched hood moulding similar to what is found at Dunfermline. The inner order has a bold bead on the edge. The arch is quite plain on its inner face towards the chancel. It is carried by three semi-shafts ([Fig. 296]), with cushion caps and simple bases. The abacus has been carved with facets.
On the exterior of the chancel there occur on the north and south sides (see [Fig. 292.]) characteristic Norman corbels supporting the wall-head parapet. These consist generally of the usual bridled heads and monstrous faces, but they are now very weather-worn.
The north wall of the nave has been taken down and a north aisle added (see Plan), apparently in the year 1631, as that date ([Fig. 297]) is carved on a window lintel of the east wall. In the north gable of this aisle there are two traceried windows, somewhat after the style of the Perpendicular Period. ([Fig. 298.]) It will be observed that the mouldings of the loop form of the tracery do not mitre with the arch mouldings.
At a later period a central window, without tracery, has been placed in the north wall of the aisle. It corresponds exactly with the windows
Fig. 295.—Duddingston Church. Chancel Arch.
seen in the south side, and with the one in the east wall of the chancel, judging from which it was probably at this later period that all the present windows, seen in Fig. 292, were inserted. The original windows were, doubtless, the usual small windows found in Norman churches, and when they came to be enlarged, the builders probably increased the buttresses to compensate for the weakening of the wall, and added the conical finials on them and on the gables (see [Fig. 292.]). It is obvious that to this period also the upper part of the tower belongs. The lower part of the tower, although not of the original structure, is, we are inclined to think, of considerable antiquity; it opens into the church with a plain, round arch. The staircase shown in it and on the north aisle lead to galleries.
Fig. 296.
Jamb of Chancel Arch.
Fig. 297.
Lintel in East Wall, North Aisle.
Fig. 298.
Window in North Aisle.
During the reign of William the Lion (1165-1214) the church and lands of Dodin-ston were acquired by the Abbey of Kelso, but from whom they were acquired is not known. There were several persons of the name of Dodin, but the one who gave his name to this place does not appear to be known. But there was a “Hugo filius Dodini de Dodines-tun” who witnessed a charter to the Canons of Holyrood in the time of William the Lion (Dalrymple Collection, Pref. lxvii.; also, Caledonia, Vol. II. p. 791.)
In 1296 John Combale, the vicar of Dodinestun, swore fealty to Edward I.
In the ancient Taxatio (end of twelfth century), Duddingston Church is rated at twenty-five merks.