Now Here's Something You Don't See Every Day!

Sunshine in the West of Scotland!  Sorry, I'm joking!

2010 is the 1150th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Cluny, so to celebrate, the Abbey of Paisley (one of Cluny's daughter, or rather grand-daughter, houses) has been hosting all manner of fun events which have resulted in the most surreal of sightings, as clearly demonstrated below:-

My thanks to the medieval maid (she was far too polite and demure to be classed as a wench) who posed for me and graciously agreed to be featured in a blog.

I was hoping to come home with lots of pictures featuring Medieval Folk doing Medieval Things in the splendid setting of Paisley, but unfortunately my day was completely taken over by the Cluny 2010 conference.

The highlights undoubtedly included Professor Richard Fawcett's (Historic Scotland/University of Saint Andrews) masterly deconstruction of the architecture of the Paisley and Crossraguel abbey churches.  He painstakingly talked us through the 12th, 13th and 14th century characteristics and even identified those elements which he thinks can be attributed to one of my medieval heroes, the French-born mason John Morow, who worked at various sites including the cathedrals of Glasgow and Saint Andrews, Melrose Abbey, and Lincluden Collegiate Church.

Professor Fawcett argued that Morow's work can be seen in the two windows at the left hand side pictured below.  His reasoning?  There's almost exact equivalents at both Melrose and Lincluden, of a type of Late 14th/early 15th tracery very rarely found in Scotland, but seen in contemporary sites in France, including Amiens and Vincennes Chateau:-

 

Oh, and in case you're interested, the wide window arches are actually earlier, of 14th century date, with infill of later tracery.  That was the degree of detail we were given, folks, with copious illustrations so we could perform a compare and contrast exercise.  For someone who's keen to learn more about medieval architecture, it was truly fascinating. 

Also of note was Professor Charles McKean's (University of Dundee) talk which gave a re-appraisal of the 'Auld Alliance' with France, which he suggested turned into an attempt at out-and-out colonisation when Mary of Guise became regent and Mary, Queen of Scots was all set to become Queen of France.  He argued that the French focus on the circular 'donjon' as an integral part of any lordly residence was at odds with the traditonal Scots square tower in its rectangular barmkin.  He then proceeded to demonstrate how the increasing Franco-isation which took place in Scotland between 1538 and 1558 led to the addition of round towers to existing square structures giving the so-called 'Z' plan tower-house.  Trouble is, when Scotland turned its back on France following the death of the Dauphin, this left a load of landowners having to 'Scotify' their residences by adding a square upper storey onto a half-built round tower!  

McKean's lectures are always very informative, very entertaining and very thought-provoking, and today's offering was no exception.  The conference proceedings will be written up and distributed digitally in due course, if anybody's interested!

Tom Addyman of Addyman Archaeology gave an additional short talk in the lunch break, so that's why I couldn't go out seeking photo opportunities - he's a former boss and I wanted to support him.  This was also worth seeing.  He described the former West Range of the Abbey buildings which were demolished in the 1870s.  In an early echo of our own concerns with losing local heritage, the Marquis of Bute was vociferous in his opposition to the destruction.  His objections were over-ruled, but a local antiquarian, David Semple, took photographs of the demolition process which provided a useful record of the buildings and can be seen as an early example of the modern 'preservation by record' techniques that are employed today.  Addyman's presentation was just a prelude to more extensive works that Addyman Archaeology will be embarking upon in the future, and I for one am most interested to hearing his results.

A productive day, though a rather tiring one.  And to finish off, here's Paisley Abbey in all its glory.  
 

 

I'm sure Professor Fawcett would want you all to note the blind lancet windows to either side of the west entrance which are part of its surviving12th century fabric, evidently...

 

Now Here's Something You Don't See Every Day!

Sunshine in the West of Scotland!  Sorry, I'm joking!

2010 is the 1150th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Cluny, so to celebrate, the Abbey of Paisley (one of Cluny's daughter, or rather grand-daughter, houses) has been hosting all manner of fun events which have resulted in the most surreal of sightings, as clearly demonstrated below:-

My thanks to the medieval maid (she was far too polite and demure to be classed as a wench) who posed for me and graciously agreed to be featured in a blog.

I was hoping to come home with lots of pictures featuring Medieval Folk doing Medieval Things in the splendid setting of Paisley, but unfortunately my day was completely taken over by the Cluny 2010 conference.

The highlights undoubtedly included Professor Richard Fawcett's (Historic Scotland/University of Saint Andrews) masterly deconstruction of the architecture of the Paisley and Crossraguel abbey churches.  He painstakingly talked us through the 12th, 13th and 14th century characteristics and even identified those elements which he thinks can be attributed to one of my medieval heroes, the French-born mason John Morow, who worked at various sites including the cathedrals of Glasgow and Saint Andrews, Melrose Abbey, and Lincluden Collegiate Church.

Professor Fawcett argued that Morow's work can be seen in the two windows at the left hand side pictured below.  His reasoning?  There's almost exact equivalents at both Melrose and Lincluden, of a type of Late 14th/early 15th tracery very rarely found in Scotland, but seen in contemporary sites in France, including Amiens and Vincennes Chateau:-

 

Oh, and in case you're interested, the wide window arches are actually earlier, of 14th century date, with infill of later tracery.  That was the degree of detail we were given, folks, with copious illustrations so we could perform a compare and contrast exercise.  For someone who's keen to learn more about medieval architecture, it was truly fascinating. 

Also of note was Professor Charles McKean's (University of Dundee) talk which gave a re-appraisal of the 'Auld Alliance' with France, which he suggested turned into an attempt at out-and-out colonisation when Mary of Guise became regent and Mary, Queen of Scots was all set to become Queen of France.  He argued that the French focus on the circular 'donjon' as an integral part of any lordly residence was at odds with the traditonal Scots square tower in its rectangular barmkin.  He then proceeded to demonstrate how the increasing Franco-isation which took place in Scotland between 1538 and 1558 led to the addition of round towers to existing square structures giving the so-called 'Z' plan tower-house.  Trouble is, when Scotland turned its back on France following the death of the Dauphin, this left a load of landowners having to 'Scotify' their residences by adding a square upper storey onto a half-built round tower!  

McKean's lectures are always very informative, very entertaining and very thought-provoking, and today's offering was no exception.  The conference proceedings will be written up and distributed digitally in due course, if anybody's interested!

Tom Addyman of Addyman Archaeology gave an additional short talk in the lunch break, so that's why I couldn't go out seeking photo opportunities - he's a former boss and I wanted to support him.  This was also worth seeing.  He described the former West Range of the Abbey buildings which were demolished in the 1870s.  In an early echo of our own concerns with losing local heritage, the Marquis of Bute was vociferous in his opposition to the destruction.  His objections were over-ruled, but a local antiquarian, David Semple, took photographs of the demolition process which provided a useful record of the buildings and can be seen as an early example of the modern 'preservation by record' techniques that are employed today.  Addyman's presentation was just a prelude to more extensive works that Addyman Archaeology will be embarking upon in the future, and I for one am most interested to hearing his results.

A productive day, though a rather tiring one.  And to finish off, here's Paisley Abbey in all its glory.  
 

 

I'm sure Professor Fawcett would want you all to note the blind lancet windows to either side of the west entrance which are part of its surviving12th century fabric, evidently...