This is an interesting fragment of first pointed work. The chapel is
said to have been founded, in 1256, by William de Brechin for the repose
of the souls of Kings William and Alexander, and of his brother John,
Earl of Chester and Huntingdon; of Henry, his father, and Juliana, his
mother. This structure, no doubt, as its name implies, formed part of a
hospital. It was endowed with lands, some of which it still retains--one
place being yet known as the Maison Dieu Farm. A small revenue derived
from the land is generally gifted by the Crown to the rector of the
Grammar School, who consequently signs himself “Praeceptor Domus
Dei.”[77]
[Illustration: FIG. 617.--Maison Dieu. Plan.]
The part of the chapel which still survives stands in a back lane in the
centre of the town of Brechin, and consists of a portion of the south
wall and a small piece of the east wall (Fig. 617). The sketches show
that the work is in the first pointed style, and is simple and pure in
character. The south wall (Fig. 618), which bounds the lane on one side,
is about 40 feet in length, and contains a doorway, with a nook shaft in
each jamb, and good mouldings in the arch (Fig. 619). It also contains
three lancet windows and one jamb of a fourth. The fragment of the east
wall terminates at the jamb of the first window. The mouldings
[Illustration: FIG. 618.--Maison Dieu. South Wall: Exterior.]
[Illustration: FIG. 619.--Maison Dieu. Section of Doorway.]
[Illustration: FIG. 620.--Maison Dieu. Section of Window.]
and other details of the windows are plain, but effective, the sconsion
mouldings being unusually fine (Figs. 620 and 621). There is a piscina
in the south wall with a stone shelf, but the details are a good deal
damaged.
[Illustration: FIG. 621.--Maison Dieu. South Wall: Interior.]
This fragment is valuable, and should be carefully preserved.