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

ST LEONARD’S, ST MARY’S WYND, AND COWGATE. 315 is 1574, showing that their erection took place almost immediately after the demolition of the Castle. This remnant of one of the most important Government Offices of Scotland at that early date is a curious sample of the heavy and partially castellated edifices of the period. The whole building was probably intended, when completed, to form a quadrangle surrounded on every side by the same substantial walls, well suited for defence against any ordinary assault; while its halls were lighted from the enclosed court. The small windows in this part of the building remain in their original state, being divided by an oaken transom, and the under part closed with a pair of folding shutters. The massive ashlar walls are relieved by ornamental string courses, and surmounted with crow steps of the earliest form, and of elegant proportions. The original entrance, which is on the west Bide of the projecting turret, has long been closed up, and its sill is now sunk considerably below the level of the paving owing to the gradual rising of the street, so common in earlier times, and of which we shall hereafter refer to much more surprising proofs. It bears on its lintel the following legend neatly cut in Roman characters:- BE - MERCIFVL * TO - ME - 0 * GOD * 1574, above which is an ornamental niche, not unlikely to have contained a bust of King James. The internal marks of former magnificence are still more interesting than these external ones, notwithstanding the humble uses to which the buildings have latterly been applied ; in particular, some portions of a very fine oak ceiling still remain, wrought in Gothic panneling, and retaining traces of the heraldic blazonry with which it was originally adorned. Two large and handsome windows above the archway leading to Toddrick’s Wynd,’ give light to this once magnificent hall, which is said to have formed the council-room where the officers of the Mint assembled to assay the metal, and to discuss the general affairs of the establishment. Here was the scene of the splendid banquet given ( ( a t the requeist of the Kingis Majestie and for honour of the toun,” to the Danish nobles and ambassadors, who came over in the train of Anne, Queen of James VI., in 1590. The King writes, while absent on his matrimonial expedition, to Sir Alexander Lindsay, whom he soon after created Lord Spynie :-(‘ From the Castell of Croneburgh, quhaire we are drinking and dryuing OUT in the auld maner,” and the entertainment of his guests on his return appears to have shown no wish for a change of fashion in this respect. The banquet was furnished on Sunday evening, in the great hall at the foot of Toddrick’s Wynd, which was hung with tapestry, and decorated with flowers for the occasion; and the wine and ale form the chief items in the provision ordered by the council for the noble strangers.’ In the introductory historical sketch some extracts are given from the very curious . 1 As before mentioned (ante, p. 263), several interesting houses, referred to here and on subsequent pages, have been taken down to make way for City improvements. ’ 21at May 1590. “The quhilk day, John Arnott, Provest, Henry Charteris, &c., being convenit in the counsdl at the requeist of the Kingis Majestie, and for honour of the Toun ; It was thocht and agreit to mak ane honourabd banket to the Dence Imbaseadours, and the famous peraouns of thair company, quha arryvet furth of Denmark with the King and Queynis Majesties, and this upoun the Townis chargea and expensis, to be maid in Thomas Aitchisoun’s, Master of the Cuoyie hous lugeiog at Todrik’s Wynd fute, upon Sonday at evin next to cum ; and for the making of the preparatioun and furneasing thairto, hes set doun and devyset the ordonr following ; to wit, that the Thasaurer CBUB bye and lay in four punsheons wyne ; John Borthuik, baxter, to get four bunnis of beir, with four gang of sill, and to furneis breid ; Henry Charteris and Roger Macnacht to caus hing the hous with tapeshie, set the buirds, furmis, chandleris and get tlowres, &c.”- ~~p,. 88.

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