Elgin Cathedral: Magnificent cathedral’s ruin in Scotland (Part - 1)

By Asad Russel –

About the Elgin Cathedral, Scotland:
In the Scottish Highlands a magnificent 13 century ruin is the Elgin Cathedral, for its octagonal chapter house and dramatic west façade best known.

The history of the Elgin Cathedral:
From nearby Spynie to Elgin was moved the seat of the Bishop of Moray in 1200 and on a new cathedral immediately began construction work. With twin west towers and a rectangular east cross shaped the original building, in 1224 was consecrated.

After a fire possibly around 1270, was significantly extended the original building. In length was doubled the east end and in height increased, to the nave and choir were added the side aisles, and on the north side was added a chapter house. In Scotland one of the most magnificent buildings was the result. Bishop Alexander Bur (from 1362 to 1397) a century later declared that the Elgin Cathedral was, “For the realm the ornament, for the kingdom the glory, for stranger guests and foreigners the delight, in foreign lands of praise an object”.

Unfortunately had a difficult history the magnificent cathedral. As the “Wolf of Badenoch” known the Earl of Buchan the Alexander Stewart to burn the town and cathedral of Elgin brought an army of Highlanders. With the bishop of a feud the attack was the part and for marital infidelity for being excommunicated in retaliation specifically. To King Robert III in a letter, as quoted before of this beautiful church the destruction the bishop lamented.

Plundered the cathedral the Lord of the Isles the Alexander Macdonald in 1402. To collect more booty the following year he tried to return, but by the bishop at the gate was met and into leaving shamed and chapter. After these setbacks was extensively repaired the cathedral. To continue the service was probably renovated first the east end, of the rose window the tracery and in the choir larger aisles here included new features. Also was rebuilt the center tower and around 1500 reached its final form the chapter house. In 1506 after the central tower collapsed had to be done further work.

The reformation came in another century, and for the town’s parish church was abandoned the cathedral in 1560. For its valuable lead was immediately dismantled the roof, were taken away the bells, for firewood was used the choir screen, and to be plundered the stones continued. Only fully intact the chapter house, for the Incorporated Trades of Elgin as the meeting place thanks to its usefulness.

When the central tower collapsed was destroyed the nave in 1711, of neglect nearly four hundred years after, in the 19th century to preserve the Elgin Cathedral were taken the first steps. By the Historic Scotland the ruin is administered today.

At the Elgin Cathedral what to see:
According to the history of the Elgin Cathedral, of the 13th century builders to the skill it is a testament than at all anything survives. Survives of the nave a little although, still is intact most of the presbytery and nearly to the full height still stands the impressive west front. 

Will Continue........

Posted by : Unknown 11:25 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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