This panel (Fig. 1585) was discovered in 1891 during some alterations of
the seating of the church. It then formed the back of a seat in the
gallery, and was concealed by a green cloth. Doubtless, from its
heraldic decorations, it must originally have occupied a more prominent
position. The arms and initials show that it belonged to the Hamiltons
of Preston. The date on the panel (1604) connects it with an earlier
church, the present church having been erected later. The panel is of
oak and in good preservation, except where cut away to make it fit its
new position, and the colours are still rich and fresh. The panel is in
two pieces, each 2 feet 3 inches high. The whole is divided into eight
compartments, of which only four bear arms. They are all arched, and are
separated by
[Illustration: FIG. 1585.--Heraldic Panel from Prestonpans Church.]
pilasters. On the four compartments arms, surrounded by laurel wreaths,
are blazoned in colour, together with initials. The initials G. H. and
B. C., which refer to George Hamilton, Laird of Preston, and Barbara
Cockburn, his wife, are carved in relief in the spandrils. The letters
painted within the arches, viz.,S/J. H. and D./K. H. stand for Sir John
Hamilton, the son of the above, and Dame Katherine Howieson, his second
wife, married 1620. The lady died 1629. The shields beneath these
initials contain the Hamilton arms twice, and the Cockburn and Howieson
arms for the wives of the father and son. The initials of the son and
his wife were carved over the windows of the tower, while over the
centre window they appear in a monogram with the date 1626.
This panel, which is one of the very few early coloured decorations
which survive in Scotland, is now in the possession of General Sir
William Stirling Hamilton of Preston.