when digging was going on connected with the planting of trees, some
further remains were found. But in 1893-4 a systematic search was made,
both above and below ground, which enabled an almost complete Plan of
the abbey to be accurately measured and laid down.[100]
[Illustration: FIG. 654.--Newbattle Abbey. Bases in West Side of
Cloister (at =Q=).]
The total length of the abbey church, within the walls, was 239 feet 3
inches, and on the exterior 253 feet 3 inches; while the interior width
was 57 feet 1 inch, and the exterior width (excluding the buttresses)
was 66 feet 7 inches. The nave, which contained ten bays, had a length
of 161 feet 6 inches, and its central aisle a width of 31 feet, while
the side aisles were 13 feet. The choir and presbytery comprised one bay
and a-half, and had two large piers, each 10 feet in diameter. The
crossing had four similar large piers, and measured 41 feet 9 inches
over the piers. The piers supported a tower over the crossing. The
transept was 117 feet 6 inches in length from north to south, and had an
eastern aisle, making the width 45 feet. The north transept had enormous
angle buttresses and a square pier. The large piers and flat angle
buttresses of the choir indicate early work, probably Norman.
The great angle buttresses at the north transepts belong, doubtless, to
a late period. The Plan clearly shows that they have been added to
existing flat buttresses, in the same manner as was done at the east
wall of St. Andrews Cathedral. Unfortunately, no details have been
discovered to enable the date to be more definitely fixed.
[Illustration: FIG. 655.--Newbattle Abbey. Font.]
[Illustration: FIG. 656.--Newbattle Abbey. Seated Figure of
Ecclesiastic.]
The east side of the cloister, which is included in the modern mansion,
extends southwards from the church for a distance of about 200 feet.
Adjoining the transept has been the slype or sacristy; then comes the
chapter house, of which only the bases of a double row of pillars
remain. It was about 35 feet long by 27 feet wide, and projected towards
the east; but the east end, being under the mansion, cannot be explored.
The buildings adjoining to the south are well preserved on the ground
floor. They are erroneously designated the crypts, as they are entirely
above ground. The long range, with central pillars, was the fratry,
beyond which was a large hall. On the south side of the cloister there
was a passage and a well-preserved kitchen, with a large fireplace,
measuring 12 feet 6 inches by 6 feet, and having still traces of smoke.
Adjoining it, to the west, are the foundations of the refectory, 106
feet long by 33 feet 6 inches wide. It will be observed that, as usual
in Scotland, the refectory is parallel with the church. On the west side
of the cloister the foundations of several buildings have been laid
bare. Next the nave there has been a passage containing a staircase to
the dormitory of the conversi; then came a large apartment, 67 feet
long by 28 feet 6 inches wide; then the entrance passage to the
cloister, 6 feet 2 inches wide, with a doorway 4 feet 9 inches wide. To
the south of this is another large apartment, 68 feet long by 23 feet 9
inches wide, having foundations of a central row of pillars, the bases
of which are all different (Fig. 654). Still farther south are found
remains of a large arched conduit or drain, 2 feet 6 inches wide, and
the same height.
In the vaulted fratry there stands an old font (Fig. 655), which was
found at Mavisbank House, some miles distant, about the year 1873, by
workmen when digging for foundations of proposed new buildings. On the
supposition that it contained the arms of Abbot Hasmall, and therefore
belonged to Newbattle, it was brought here. It is interesting as being
evidently intended, from the coats of arms with which it is adorned, to
be a memorial of the royal family during the first half of the sixteenth
century. The arms it contains are:--
1st Shield.--Arms of Ramsay.
2nd Shield.--Arms of Margaret of England (daughter of Henry VII.),
wife of James IV.
3rd Shield.--Arms of Magdalene of France (daughter of Francis I.),
first wife of James V.