Fig. 655.—Newbattle Abbey. Font.
Fig. 656.—Newbattle Abbey. Seated Figure of Ecclesiastic.
The east side of the cloister, which is included in the modern mansion, extends southwards from the church for a distance of about 200 feet. Adjoining the transept has been the slype or sacristy; then comes the chapter house, of which only the bases of a double row of pillars remain. It was about 35 feet long by 27 feet wide, and projected towards the east; but the east end, being under the mansion, cannot be explored. The buildings adjoining to the south are well preserved on the ground floor. They are erroneously designated the crypts, as they are entirely above ground. The long range, with central pillars, was the fratry, beyond which was a large hall. On the south side of the cloister there was a passage and a well-preserved kitchen, with a large fireplace, measuring 12 feet 6 inches by 6 feet, and having still traces of smoke. Adjoining it, to the west, are the foundations of the refectory, 106 feet long by 33 feet 6 inches wide. It will be observed that, as usual in Scotland, the refectory is parallel with the church. On the west side of the cloister the foundations of several buildings have been laid bare. Next the nave there has been a passage containing a staircase to the dormitory of the conversi; then came a large apartment, 67 feet long by 28 feet 6 inches wide; then the entrance passage to the cloister, 6 feet 2 inches wide, with a doorway 4 feet 9 inches wide. To the south of this is another large apartment, 68 feet long by 23 feet 9 inches wide, having foundations of a central row of pillars, the bases of which are all different ([Fig. 654]). Still farther south are found remains of a large arched conduit or drain, 2 feet 6 inches wide, and the same height.
In the vaulted fratry there stands an old font ([Fig. 655]), which was found at Mavisbank House, some miles distant, about the year 1873, by workmen when digging for foundations of proposed new buildings. On the supposition that it contained the arms of Abbot Hasmall, and therefore belonged to Newbattle, it was brought here. It is interesting as being evidently intended, from the coats of arms with which it is adorned, to be a memorial of the royal family during the first half of the sixteenth century. The arms it contains are:—
1st Shield.—Arms of Ramsay.
2nd Shield.—Arms of Margaret of England (daughter of Henry VII.), wife of James IV.
3rd Shield.—Arms of Magdalene of France (daughter of Francis I.), first wife of James V.