In issuing the concluding Volume of this work, we take the opportunity
to notice some points in the previous portions which have given rise to
discussion.
In Vol. I. p. 297 we express disagreement with Mr. W. Galloway’s opinion
regarding the age of the chancel walls of St. Blane’s, Bute. Mr.
Galloway having asked for an opportunity of defending his views, we have
pleasure in publishing his observations in the Appendix to this Volume.
Reference is made in Vol. II. p. 172 to Mr. T. L. Watson’s theory
regarding the vaulting of the lower church in St. Mungo’s Cathedral,
Glasgow. Having recently had the privilege, on the invitation of Mr. P.
Macgregor Chalmers, of attending a meeting on the spot, when the usually
obscure edifice was well lit up, and when it was shown by Mr. Chalmers
that the points on which Mr. Watson based his opinion were untenable, we
see no reason to believe that the beautiful design of the vaulting and
the plan of the shrine were ever intended to be carried out in a mode
different from that in which they are executed.
When treating of Melrose Abbey (Vol. II. p. 378) we ventured to
criticise the views expressed by Mr. Chalmers in his work, _A Scots
Mediæval Architect_. As Mr. Chalmers has been kind enough to approach us
directly, taking exception to our remarks, we are glad to afford him, in
an Appendix to this Volume, the opportunity he desires of stating his
defence of his views.
Mr. Chalmers has done good service in drawing attention to some examples
of Scottish mediæval architecture of a late date, which show a
remarkable revival in point of design when compared with the general
architecture of the country at the time.
From the series of examples given in this Volume there can scarcely be
any question as to the gradual deterioration of ecclesiastical
architecture which occurred generally throughout Scotland during the
latter half of the fifteenth and the first half of the sixteenth
centuries, and it is certainly surprising to find some exceptionally
good work in a few structures of that period. Amongst these is the aisle
of Car Fergus, in Glasgow Cathedral, the vaulting of which building is
of about the date of 1500, as is evident from its containing several
specimens of Archbishop Blacader’s arms. The work is not all equal, but
the vaulting has the groining (a rare kind of construction in Scotland
at the period) well executed, and the bosses show a wonderful amount and
variety of design. Some of the latter (such as that in the illustration
kindly supplied by Mr. Chalmers in the Appendix) are admirable.
Mr. Chalmers has brought forward a considerable amount of evidence
regarding the rood screen in St. Mungo’s, which point to its being an
exceptionally fine specimen of late pointed work. The vaulting and some
other portions of the presbytery of Melrose Abbey are also classed by
Mr. Chalmers in the same category.
The subject is an interesting one, and all students of Scottish
architecture must feel indebted to Mr. Chalmers for drawing special
attention to it. We trust the point will be further investigated.
There is one consideration connected with this revival to which we would
draw attention, viz., that mentioned in the text (Vol. III. pp. 6 and 7)
that a certain excellence in the carving and the design of the smaller
features of the architecture observable in the later work may have been
due to the foreign artists introduced at the time. We might, in view of
the above circumstances, have given this remark a wider scope, so as to
apply to such works as those above referred to and similar examples.
There is abundant evidence in the Exchequer Rolls that French
master-masons were employed by James IV. and V. Thus the Merliouns,[1] a
distinguished family of French master-masons, were in the royal service
at Stirling in 1496, and members of the family are found at Linlithgow,
Dunbar, Ravenscraig, Perth Church, &c. Latterly the king’s _French
master-mason_ became a regular court appointment, and the office was
held by several Frenchmen.[2]
This importation of foreign artists may perhaps account for some of the
exceptionally good examples, especially in connection with places
favoured by royalty; but a good deal of time would necessarily elapse
before such work could become general. Hence the revival was limited,
while the architecture generally gradually deteriorated or changed to
Renaissance.
The monument of Bishop Kennedy, in St. Salvator’s, St. Andrews (a design
undoubtedly superior to the general Scottish work of the period), is
probably a French example, both in design and execution.[3]
Mr. Chalmers lays stress on the influence of Queen Margaret’s marriage
to James IV. as probably having produced some of the imitations of
English perpendicular work found at Melrose and Linlithgow, and this may
possibly have been the case.
In a review of Vol. II. in the _Glasgow Herald_ attention was drawn to
an error in the description of St. Andrews Cathedral (p. 31), where the
restored illustration (Fig. 453) shows a single central shaft in the
windows of the chapter house, instead of two coupled shafts. The shafts
are gone, but the two bases are still traceable.
* * * * *
We have to thank the numerous clergymen, proprietors, custodians, and
others, to whom it has been necessary to apply for permission to visit
the various churches, for their assistance, which was always freely
given. Our acknowledgments are also due to those gentlemen who have
kindly continued their contributions to our work in the form of drawings
and descriptions of churches, especially to Mr. T. S. Robertson, Dundee,
and Mr. William Galloway, Whithorn. Mr. R. Weir Schultz, London; Mr.
John W. Small, Stirling; Mr. F. R. Coles, Edinburgh, and others have
also been good enough to furnish us with several drawings and
descriptions for this Volume, as is noted in the text.
To the Librarians of the Advocates’ Library and the University Library
of Edinburgh, and the Keeper of the National Museum of the Antiquaries
of Scotland, we are greatly indebted for their valuable assistance.
We desire, further, to express our obligation to Mr. Alexander Ross,
architect, Inverness, and Mr. R. Bruce Armstrong, for permission to use
illustrations from their published works; and to Mr. W. Rae Macdonald,
Edinburgh, and Mr. R. C. Walker, Dundee, for their aid in connection
with the heraldry of the buildings and monuments.
EDINBURGH, _October 1897_.