In 1419 Edward of Crechton paid a sum for the restoring and building of the monastery.
In the Hertford expedition of 1544, “upon the 15th day of May the horsmen raid to Newbottill and brynt it.”[97] As is remarked by Mr. Innes,[98] this was, perhaps, but a partial destruction, as, three years afterwards, Mary of Lorraine held at Newbotle a great convention of the lords of her party, preparatory to declaring war with England.
The last so-called abbot was Mark Ker. He is styled Commendator of Newbotle in 1560; and the lordship of Newbotle, being conferred on his son, has remained with their descendants to the present day.
Such is the scanty history of this great abbey, so far as relates to the structure and ornaments; but of the former almost nothing remains above ground except part of the monastic buildings on the east side of the cloisters.
The abbey, including the church, appears to have been almost completely demolished shortly after the Reformation, the only parts of the monastic buildings allowed to remain being the fratry and portions of the chapter house, which were incorporated with the mansion house, and of the former of which a view has already been given.[99]
The accompanying Plan ([Fig. 653]) has been prepared by Mr. John Ramsay, the resident Clerk of Works to the Marquis of Lothian, showing the result of considerable excavations recently carried out at the building, together with some details which have been discovered. The Plan shows that the buildings extended about 400 feet from north to south by about 270 feet from east to west, and that the monastery was of the usual plan.
The recent excavations deal chiefly with the foundations of the abbey and church, although explorations within the mansion have also brought to light some old work hitherto concealed from view. The first discovery of the existence of buried portions of the abbey was made in 1878, when some works were in progress; and again, in 1892,
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A. Presbytery. B. Crossing. C. Nave. D. North Transept. E. South Transept. F. Slype or Sacristy. G. Chapter House. |
H. Fratry. I. Large Hall. J. Necessaria. K. Kitchen. L. Refectory. M. Passage with Stair. N. Cellars. |
O. Entrance to Cloister. P. Perhaps Porter’s Room. Q. Cellars or Workshops. R. Necessaria of the Conversi. S. S. Arched Culverts, separated by a Wall. T. South Boundary Wall. |