Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Edinburgh Past and Present Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

Go to: « Kay's Originals Vol. 1 « Kay's Originals Vol. 2 Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time Cover Title Pages Contents List of Illustrations Preface Part 1: Historical Associations Part 1 Ch 1: Earliest Traditions Part 1 Ch 2: From The Accession of The Stuarts to the Death of James III Part 1 Ch 3: From the Accession of James IV to the Battle of Flodden Part 1 Ch 4: From the Battle of Flodden to the Death of James V Part 1 Ch 5: From the Death of James V to the Abdication of Queen Mary Part 1 Ch 6: From the Accession of James VI to the Restoration of Charles II Part 1 Ch 7: Historical Incidents after the Restoration Part 2: Local Antiquities and Traditions Part 2 Ch 1: The Castle Part 2 Ch 2: King's Stables, Castle Barns, and Castle Hill Part 2 Ch 3: The Lawnmarket Part 2 Ch 4: The Tolbooth, Luckenbooths, and Parliament Close Part 2 Ch 5: The High Street Part 2 Ch 6: The High Street and Nether Bow Part 2 Ch 7: The Canongate and Abbey Sanctuary Part 2 Ch 8: St Leonard's, St Mary's Wynd, and The Cowgate Part 2 Ch 9: The West Bow and Suburbs Part 2 Ch 10: Leith, and The New Town Part 2 Ch 11: Ecclesiastical Antiquities Appendix » Edinburgh Past and Present » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

THE CANONGA TE AND ABBEY SANCTUAR Y. 293 style that prevailed at the date of its erection. Between the windows of the first and second floor of the tower an ornamental sun-dial appears, and underneath the lower window a carved tablet bears the following inscription :- @S. Li. fB . PATRLEET POSTER1IS59, 1. There are two bells in the tower, the oldest of which has this favoltrite motto, with the date, cast on it:-so~I DEO HONOR ET GLORIA, 1608. The larger bell, as appears from its inscription, was cast in 1796. Over the inner doorway, which leads both to the courthouse and the prison, are these appropriate words-EsTo b u s ; and on the most conspicuous part of the edifice, between the large windows of the council hall, tl highly ornamental panel, surmounted by a pediment adorned with a large thistle, bears the following legend:--J. R 6, JUSTITETI API ETAS VALKDE BUNT PRINCIPIS ARCES. Within the panel the burgh arms are emblazoned, viz.-a stag’s head with R cross between the tynes, in commemoration of the monastic legend to which the origin of Saint David’s Abbey and its burgh is referred; and underneath the motto, SIC ITURAD ASTRA; an unfailing subject of mirth to the profane wits of the capital, as an avowal by the old vassals of the Church that they now seek the way to heaven through the burgh jail. The independence of the burgh of Canongate was of brief duration, the magistrates of Edinburgh ha-i-ing purchased the superiority of it from the Earl of Roxburgh, and procured a charter of confirmation from Charles I. in 1636. It was till lately governed by it,s own magistrates, and a baron bailie elected by the Edinburgh Town Council, who thus came in the place of the Abbot of Holyrood as over-lords of the burgh. These held weekly courts for the punishment of petty offenders, and the settlement of disputed questions on small debts ; and in general exercised full control over the public affairs of the burgh. The ancient market cross formerly stood nearly opposite to the Tolbooth. It is represented in Gordon’s map, as mounted on a stone gallery somewhat similar to that of the neighbouring capital, though on a smaller scale. This has long since disappeared, but the elegant cross, represented in the accompanying vignette, still exists attached to the south-east corner of the Tolbooth. Ita chief use in latter times was as the pillory ; and the iron staple remains to which the culprit used to be secured by an iron collar round the neck, styled the Jougs, a species of punishment which continued in use within the recollection of some of our older citizens.‘ “31th October, 1567. The quhilk daye Bessie Tailzefeir being accusit be the bailleis and eounaall of the sclandring of Thoa Huntar, baiiie, . . . thakfoir ordanit the said Bessie to be bmnkit the mome and set upone

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