Fig. 556.—Elgin Cathedral. Monument of William Hay of Lochley.
One of the most interesting monuments in the cathedral is that of a knight in full armour ([Fig. 556]) near the entrance to the Lady Chapel. It bears the following inscription:—“Hic jacet Wills de la Hay, quondam dominus de Lochloy, qui obiit VIII die mensis Decembris Anno Domini MCCCCXXI.” He was of the family to whom Inchoch Castle belonged, which lies a short way west of Forres.[56]
Amongst the mutilated fragments of sculpture preserved at the cathedral is a portion of a gigantic statue, said to be that of Bishop John Innes (1407-14). It was found at the base of the north-west pillar of the central tower, of which that bishop commenced the erection. The inscription on his tomb was as follows:—“Here lieth in Christ the Rev. Father and Doctor of Divinity John de Innes who began this distinguished edifice and for seven years sedulously continued the building.”[57] The tower was rebuilt in 1538 (as already mentioned), and a representation of it, as it existed in 1693, may be seen in Slezer’s view. It is there shown as a plain, square erection, with a large window on each side, and colossal statues at the angles. The so-called statue of “Bishop Innes” is, doubtless, one of these; but whether it formed part of the original tower of the fifteenth century, and was replaced on the rebuilt tower of the sixteenth century, or was a new statue of the latter date, it is difficult to decide.
The following is a short epitome of the dates of the different portions of the cathedral as pointed out in the foregoing description:—
The transept was erected about the date of the foundation of the cathedral in 1224. It may possibly have formed part of the previous Church of the Trinity, but seems more likely to have been built after the conversion into the cathedral.
The western towers follow soon after, being of early first pointed work. The western portal is somewhat later than the towers.
The west part of the north wall of the choir appears to be older than the remainder of that portion of the edifice, and this may possibly have been part of the original Church of the Trinity; but the general work of the choir and nave and the original chapter house would appear to have been carried out during the thirteenth century. The first pointed work would probably be all completed shortly before the War of Independence, which stopped all architecture in Scotland for a long period.
The cathedral was then practically completed, and so remained for about a century.
The next great change occurred after the destruction of the edifice by the “Wolf of Badenoch” in 1390. The nave and chapter house would appear to have been much destroyed, and were almost rebuilt during the fifteenth century. The west front above the portal and the whole of the nave were, doubtless, reconstructed about the time of Bishop Columba Dunbar (1422-35). The chapter house appears to have been restored in the time of Bishop David Stewart (1482-1501). The architecture of the nave and chapter house corresponds with the respective dates of these prelates, and also bears their coats of arms engraved on each department.