The mendicant orders were introduced into Scotland by Alexander II.
(1214-49), who is stated to have founded eight convents for Dominicans,
but only two for Franciscans. From an old undated charter it is believed
that the latter order was established in Elgin under Alexander III., but
their original monastery appears to have fallen into decay. It was,
however, revived under James I. (1424-37) for the order of Observantines
introduced into Scotland by that king.
[Illustration: FIG. 1290.--Greyfriars’ Church, Elgin. Plan.]
Their first convent was in Edinburgh, where these friars were
established in 1446. This convent was followed by one in St. Andrews,
and a third house was settled at Aberdeen in 1450. The order then
extended to Elgin, where it was introduced by John Innes, a member of a
well-known Morayshire family, in 1479. The Franciscans, having no
rentals to be taxed and no lands to alienate, probably fled when the
Reformation came. Their convent was plundered by Montrose, but the
church was not demolished, and still stands with its four walls
complete, though sadly damaged. The domestic buildings have been
obliterated or converted to modern uses.
The church (Fig. 1290) is a simple oblong structure, 110 feet in length
by 22 feet in width internally. It had an entrance door for the public
in the north wall, near the west end. From the marks in the wall above
it (Fig. 1291) there seems to have been a wooden porch or awning over
the doorway.
The church has been well lighted with large traceried windows (see Fig.
1291) in the east and west end walls, and with six side windows in
[Illustration: FIG. 1291.--Greyfriars’ Church, Elgin. View from
North-West.]
the north wall and one in the south wall. Each of the end windows had
three mullions with intersecting tracery in the arch, and the side
windows were all divided into two lights by a central mullion, with two
curved divisions in the arch. Near the centre of the building, and on
both sides, there occur two small windows, one over the other, the lower
one being single with ogee head, and the upper one having a central
mullion. These windows have evidently been for the purpose of lighting
the rood screen and loft. The lower windows would light the space under
the rood loft, where there was no doubt an altar, and the upper windows
the gallery or space over the screen. The corbels which carried the loft
can still be traced on both sides of the church. A piscina in each of
the side walls, close to the screen, shows that there were altars
placed against it. In the north window, adjoining the screen, there is a
stone sink, probably used by the priests as a lavatory. At the east end
of the church there is an ambry in each of the side walls, and a window
in the south wall to light the sanctuary. Under it is a recess, probably
used as a sedilia. The conventual buildings have evidently been built to
the south of the church. The junctions of four walls forming buildings
on two sides of a courtyard still remain, and in the south wall of the
church, between the above, may be observed the corbels which carried the
roof of the cloister walk. There are also two doors from this side into
the church. The structure is of a plain and simple style, corresponding
to the character of the mendicant friars who occupied it. It was
doubtless erected soon after the Observantines were introduced in 1479,
and bears the character of the architecture of the period.
After the Reformation the church was no longer used for service.
Criminal Courts sat in it till the middle of the seventeenth century,
and it also served as a place of meeting of the crafts or trades in
Elgin. Afterwards it became a place for Episcopal services, and it is
now the property of the Convent of St. Mary of Mercy.