Medieval Architects in Scotland - Introduction

An important change in outlook on medieval architecture has become apparent in the last few
decades, due partly to the influx of continental scholars but mostly to the study of documents to
put the subject on an adequate historical footing. We now know much more about the medieval
building industry and about the master masons - the men responsible for the buildings that have
come down to us. In England as long ago as 1762-71 Horace Walpole , in his "Anecdotes of
Painting" made some attempt to identify individual artists; he was followed by others, and in the
20th century great advances were made, culmination in the important works by Harvey and
Salmon.

The general lack of study of Scottish Architecture is chiefly no doubt due to the lack of
documents. Very few have survived comparable to those found in England. However despite this
nearly two hundred masons and carpenters who worked in Scotland before C 1550 are known by
name. The majority have no remaining work associated with tem , but this is a large enough
number to deserve careful study.

Too much emphasis has been sometimes placed on mere names. To know the name of the master
mason of a building is interesting but not very illuminating unless his name can be linked with
some other building, or something discovered of his personality which is almost always
impossible.
 Tombstone in Balmerino graveyard

In Scotland too, quite early interest was taken in this subject. JS Robertson seems to have been
the first in the field with his two papers published in 1851, but these made little useful
contribution, and did not even seem to arouse any interest. Towards the end of the 19th century ,
Mylnes valuable work and P MacGregors Chalmers interesting attempt to identify the work of
John Morrow both appeared. The latter is interesting in that it shows complete acceptance of the
architectural function of the master mason. McGibbon and Ross were less sure of this , but
devoted some space to the subject.

   
Medieval Architects in Scotland - 12th Century
Until the Wars of Independence, Scottish architecture was largely under English influence and
many Scottish buildings must have been designed by masters either English or who had visited
England, but whose names are now lost.

Even as early as 710 Nectan IV , King of the Picts, sent to Jarrow for architects to build a church
in his nation after the Roman fashion. Jarrow had been built, with Monkswearmouth , about 30
years before by Benedict Biscop, who according to Bede, had brought masons from Gaul, and it
has been suggested that the lower part of Restenneth Priory is due to the masons sent in answer
to his request. A similar story is told to the effect that St. Ninians Candia Casa " ....was built by
masons who came from St. Martins Abbey at Tours " in the 5th century, but this seems very
doubtful.

The great spate of building in England following the Conquest did not affect Scotland for about
half a century, and then it was due to the reforms in the Scottish church begun by St Margaret
and continued by her sons Alexander I (1107-24) and David I (1124 -53). Both of these kings
founded new sees and monasteries and introduced Anglo-Norman ecclesiastics and doubtless
Anglo-Norman Masons.

The first important building of this reform was St Rules church as St Andrews c 1130-40 which
is of North of England type and has been shown by Dr. Bilson to have been almost certainly built
by the masons who built the church at Wharram-le-Street in Yorkshire. David I was a noted
Francophile, and he is said by Bellenden to have "sent to France and Flanders and brought right
crafty mason" to build Holyrood Abbey which he founded in 1128.

St Rules Church Plan

 Wharram le Street Church Plan

Tower Windows

St Rules

Percy Wharram

Dunfermline Abbey was also begun in that year, and here again English Influence is seen. The
pier decoration, scalloped capitals and main arcade arch moulds certainly connect the building
with Durham Cathedral, which by 1128 was finished but for the nave vaults. But at Dunfermline
there is little of Durham above the nave arcade and it seems likely that there was a pause in
building before the gallery and clearstory stories were added.
Pier grooving and arcarde arch moulds at Durham Cathedral (c1100%2B) (left) and at
Dunfermline Abbey (begun 1128)
 Grooved cylindrical piers in Britain during the 12th Century

The architect of Durham is unknown, but Dunfermline was probably by Master Ailricus to
whom land was granted c 1140. Dunfermline was finished by 1150, and that some of the masons
then moved on to Dalmeny church has been shown by a careful study of the masons marks there.

Some of the marks found are also repeated at Leuchars church which was finished c 1185 and
which has decided resemblances to Dalmeny

MASONS MARKS AT DALMENY

MASONS MARKS AT LEUCHARS

 .
MASONS MARKS AT DUNFERMLINE

LEUCHARS CHURCH FIFE

DALMENY CHURCH LINLITHGOWSHIRE

The wide spread influence of Durham can also be seen at Kirkwall Cathedral begun 1137, the
architect of which is usually said, though apparently on no good authority, to be Kol, a
Norwegian. Other Scottish buildings such as Jedburgh Abbey, have stylistic connections with
English buildings , but their designers cannot be named.

The next mason known by name is Walter, who gave land to Kelso Abbey in 1159, and c 1165
Scott with several assistants from Kelso was employed at St. Machars Cathedral, Aberdeen.
Kelso Abbey was in progress at that time and Scott may have worked there, but all work of this
period at Aberdeen has long since disappeared. Another mason towards the end of the century
was Master Roger of Forfar who appears as a witness to a charter , and who had perhaps worked
on the Royal Palace of Forfar.

During the transition to Gothic which occurred towards the end of the 12th century, Scotland
formed part of the artistic province of Northern England in which Cistercian influence gave rise
to the earliest uses of the style.
Roche Abbey in Yorkshire c 1170 was earliest, and its influence can be seen in a great series of
Abbeys immediately following. The upper parts of Kelso West end show this Cistercian Gothic
influence at the end of the century - Jedburgh is related to Hexam and Lanercost; Dryburgh is
said to have the same masons marks as Hexam; and Arbroath (1178-1233) has features linking it
with Byland Abbey in Yorkshire. These buildings must have been the work of a school of
masons in close touch with each others developments.

   
Medieval Architects in Scotland - 13th Century
In 1223 work was begun on one of the greatest of Scottish Gothic buildings, Elgin Cathedral,
probably under the direction of Master Gregory who witnessed a charter there in 1237. The
cathedral has been much rebuilt and suffered much destruction but Gregorys work can be
identified as the transepts, which are the earliest parts of the existing fabric and the West towers,
is early Gothic, though round arches are still used. Later work at Elgin begun after 1270 is
somewhat archaic in character, but the polygonal chapter house shows English influence and the
rose window in the East Gable resembles the one at York Minster.

Dunblane Cathedral was begun in 1238, the same year that work was begun on Inchmahome
Priory not far away, and both of these works were almost certainly by the same architect. The
West windows at Dunblane with their double plane tracery show close touch with English
developments, and can hardly be earlier than c.1280 though their retention of plate tracery forms
show that they were probably by a Scot who had visited England.

There are few named masons during the century :-

• Robert, a mason was making a grave at Melrose in 1206 and his handiwork can perhaps
still be seen there.
• Master Richard was paid for work at Edinburgh, Stirling and Aberdeen castles towards
the end of the century.
 • Master Peter was to work on Dumfries and Wigtown Castles about the same time.

   
Medieval Architects in Scotland - 14th Century
During the Wars of Independence many English craftsmen came north with Edward I's armies
and their activities are well documented. As was usual o royal works they were conscripted by
sheriffs on the Kings instructions. On 7th March, 1304, for example, the King ordered sheriffs to
select masons to send to Scotland under Walter of Hereford, who was one of the great masons
responsible for the Edwardian castles of Wales. In that year he interrupted his work on
Caernarvon Castle to pay a brief visit to Scotland during which he was responsible for the town
wall at Perth. In 1302 James of St George, the greatest castle architect of the day, was sent with
30 carpenters conscripted by the sheriff of Northumberland to work on Linlithgow Peel. The
master carpenters under him were Thomas de Houghton, who had worked at Edinburgh Castle in
1300, and earlier at Beaumaris castle and the Palace of Westminster; and Adam of Glass on who
had been at Caernarvon Castle and at Dumfries Peel. While St.George was at Linlithgow he tried
a litigation over the alleged theft of a plumb boy by Glasson - and odd sidelight on an eminent
mason's authority.

St. George had been either responsible or associated with the castles of Conway, Rhuddlan and
Harlech amongst others, and at his peak he was earning £80 a year. In 1303 he was probably
engaged on the gatehouse of Kildrummy Castle. There is no documentary evidence but the
gatehouse is so very similar to that at Harlech castle that it seems certain that they are the product
of the same mind.
Among the other craftsmen in English employ in Scotland during the Wars might be mentioned
Master Hugh the carpenter ,who broke the King's "utensil" at Bothwell in 1301, Henry the
carpenter "son of Jurdan" (possibly Jordan the King's catapult maker c.1224-30) ; and quite a
number of Scottish craftsmen ; Thomas of Passeleye, William of Edinburgh, William of
Dunfermline, Adam the carpenter and others.

Another English mason to whom we can attribute some remaining work is John of Kilburn. He is
first heard of as a working mason at Knaresborough Abbey, Yorks, in 1335. Later the same year
he was master mason in charge of work at Edinburgh Castle, and from October 1336 to March
1337 he was in charge of repairs at Bothwell Castle. His work there consisted of re-building the
Hamilton Tower to take the place of the great donjon which had been ruined in siege, the closing
of the breach in the donjon , and the north curtain wall. This shows English characteristics , and
the crosslet loophole in the North wall is a feature rarely found at that early date. His work at
Edinburgh apparently comprised the stone curtain wall, and converting St Margarets Chapel to a
granary. Various wattle and daub buildings were also erected , under the direction of William of
Swaledale the master carpenter.

The most important Scottish mason at this period of whom we have any knowledge is Robert. In
1326 he was one of three masons paid by Robert the Bruce for work at Tarbet Castle. None of
them is referred to as "master", but that he was in charge may be inferred from the fact that he
was paid a bonus for having built the walls extra thick during the King's absence. In 1312 a
Master Robert was employed on repairs to Dunblane Cathedral and these two Roberts may well
be identical. Bishop Sinclair of Dunkeld was known as "Bruce's bishop" and may have
recommended his master mason to the King.

During the fourteenth century comparatively little building was carried out until the closing
years. English influence is usually said to have been superceded by French but it still
predominated and it was not until the 15th century that French influence had much effect.
William Parting ton who had worked on St. Stephens Chapel, Westminster came to Scotland to
make David II's tomb in 1372, and Gilbert Prince , Edward III's painter ,was paid for painting
banners for the funeral of Joan, Queen of Scotland in 1364.

What building there is shows English Connections, - for example a Kentish motif appears at
Dunfermline about the mid-century, and curvilinear tracery makes an early appearance in
Scotland at Brechin Cathedral (West window circa 1360). In 1364 one of the greatest English
architects of the time , John Lewyn, master mason to the County Palatinate of Durham was sent
to Coldingham Priory, a dependency of Durham Cathedral, presumably to give advice on some
building operation. In 1378 he contracted for a wall and three towers at Roxburgh Castle which
was at that time in English hands. Lewyn , who seems to have acted as contractor as well as
architect, was paid 550 marks for the central tower, 300 marks for each of the angle towers, and
£20 per perch of wall seven feet thick and twelve feet high. He had an extensive practice in the
north about this time beside his appointment at Durham Cathedral and apparently supplements
this by his business as a shipper of wool. The work at Roxburgh was finished by 1387 and in the
same year another contract was made, this time by three Scottish masons, John Prymros, John
Skuyer and John of Scone who agreed to build five chapels on the South side of St Giles in
Edinburgh. The contract, as usual, specifies the work in some detail and states that the chapels
must have vaults like that over St. Stephen's Chapel, Holyrood. For them, the three Johns were
paid 200 marks, and part of their work can still be detected in the church, though much altered by
later re-building. Prymros must have been the senior of the three, payments were made to him
and continued as late as 1402. Since these chapels could hardly have taken 15 years to build it is
probable that he, possibly assisted by the other two, did other work at the church - probably the
similar extension to the North of the nave of 1401 -10, the western parts of which still remain.

Another Scottish mason capable of important work showing that Scotland was by no means
artistically dependent on England, was Master Nicholas the mason who in 1377 and 1399
received payments for making the tomb of Robert II. Earlier in the century Robert the Bruce's
tomb had been made in Paris, though apparently by a Scot, Richard Barber.

Fragments of it are said to have been discovered in 1817-1818, and are described as being of
marble, elegantly chiseled into different small compartments resembling Gothic arches , the
ornament being gilded.

   
Medieval Architects in Scotland - 15th Century
The fifteenth century saw another wave of building. During the century we find, paradoxically,
the influx of French and Flemish influence, and the emergence of a distinctive national style.
English influence declined, and apart from an occasional perpendicular window , is rarely found.
This change in foreign influence can be seen at Melrose Abbey.

There the reconstruction after the destruction of 1385 was begun at the East end in the
fashionable English style , almost certainly by a mason from Yorkshire. But after he had done
the presbytery, North transept and begun the nave and South transept, a Frenchman evidently
took over, and the South transept was completed circa 1425 in a distinctively French manner.

John Morow (Jean Moreau?) whose two inscriptions are on the West wall of the transept may
have been the architect, one of the inscriptions tells us that he was born in Paris.
JOHN:MOROW:SUM:TYM:CALLIT:
WAS:I:AND:BORN:IN:PARYSSE:
CERTAINLY:AND:HAD:IN:KEPYNG:
AL:MASOUNS:WERK:OF:SANRAN
DROYS:YE:HYE:KIRK:OF:GLAS
GW:MELROS:AND:PASLAY:OF
NYDDYSDAYLL:AND:OF:GALWAY
i:PRAY:TO:GOD:AND:MARI:BATH:
&:SWETE:SANCT:JOHNE:TO:KEPE:
THIS:HALY:KIRK:FRA:SKATHE
 The Inscriptions inside the west wall of the south transept of Melrose Abbey by John
Morow who was probably architect of the transept c 1410-25

At Glasgow, where Morow claims to have " had in kepyng al masoun werk" , Bishops lauder and
Cameron were about this time building the Chapter House, sacristy, central tower and spire, and
probably the rood screen, and he may have had a hand in some of this. The spire of Glasgow
Cathedral is thought to have inspired the later octagonal stone spire characteristics of Fife , and
as Morow also claims to have worked at St. Andrews, he may have introduced this feature. The
earliest of the Fife series is at Holy Trinity Church, St. Andrews dating from the early part of the
century.

Flemish influence seems to have made itself felt in furniture and fittings rather than in the
buildings themselves. Cornelius Aeltre an eminent carpenter of Bruges made stalls for shipment
to Melrose Abbey about 1441. Bruge tapestries were brought to Linlithgow Palace in 1436, and
contemporary Scottish painting shows Flemish influence. Even earlier John Crab, son of a
Flemish engineer had been at the siege of Berwick, and when he dies in 1384 he left £50 to his
son for the upkeep of the Bridge of Dee at Aberdeen.

Several Scottish craftsmen are mentioned about the mid-century chiefly working on castle
repairs. Andrew Balfour, a carpenter, was paid for making furnishings for the coronation in
1460, and shortly after, he was working at Ravenscraig and Doune castles. Andrew Lesouris,
friar and carpenter was working at Ravenscraig Castle repairing the chapel, all between 1461 and
1468; and in 1460 Thomas Hector, sculptor, rented land near Paisley and agreed to practice his
art for the Abbey there. Two bridges were being built over the Tay at this time, at Dunkeld and at
Perth. The latter was in the charge of John of Pelis, who received payments in 1464, 1464 and
1487.

The rental book of Cupar Abbey gives some valuable information on craftsmen employed there
in the second half of the century. The crafts often seem to have been family affairs, and we find
craftsmen taking a son or nephew as an apprentice, for a period varying from six to nine years,
but usually seven. In 1492 Thomas Mowtra was appointed resident mason for a period of five
years. He was paid five marks yearly and in addition received food, half a gallon of convent ale
each day, land and a house, and also one of the abbots cast-off tunics reaching to his ankles ,
each year.

Much information is available about the craftsmen employed at Aberdeen about the end of the
century. In 1484 John Gray was appointed master mason at the re-building of St. Nicholas's
church. he agreed to work himself, to superintend the other workmen, and to be "lele and
trew............for all the dais of his life....". His salary was £23.16.8d. quarterly, and he appears to
have died by 1495 for in that year Richard Ancram was appointed to the post at a slightly
reduced salary. The woodwork at St. Nicholas was by John Ferdour who did a considerable
amount of work about this time. In 1495 he was paid for the "making of the ruff and tymmir of
the queyr...". In 1507 he contracted for the quire stalls which he had already begun and for which
he was to receive £200 Scots "with ane bontay according to that (i.e. the provost and the bailies' )
honour". These stalls were finished by 1508 and can still be seen. In 1511 Ferdour is referred to
as having made "The tymmir werl of the grat stepile" of Aberdeen cathedral. He must have
employed a considerable staff, and a method of mass production because all of the choir stalls of
St. Nicholas are identical, and identical panels are found in the desk of St. Nicholas, the screen of
King's College Chapel which must be by him, and two more of unknown use are in the crypt of
the chapel there.

The stalls of King's College Chapel

The stalls of King's College Chapel, however are all of slightly different design, and differ from
those at St. Nicholas. Its is unlikely that Ferdour made them, and they were probably imported
from Flanders as was much of this work at that time.
Rosslyn Chapel begun 1446 view across East Aisle . Foreign craftsmen are said to have
been employed. Details at Melrose suggest the same handiwork

Graffiti at Rosslyn Chapel - A pointed arch probably one of the retrochoir Window
Arches
 Rosslyn Chapel and Castle by Grose.
According to hay the Chapel was founded in 1446 and the founder "caused the draughts to be
drawn upon Eastland (i.e.Baltic) Boords and made the carpenters to carve them according to the
draughts and then gave them for patterns to the masons so they could cut the same in stone "
Some of the craftsmen may also have worked on the castle
   
Medieval Architects in Scotland - Royal Palaces
The Royal Palaces at Stirling, Linlithgow , Falkland and Holyrood were all scenes of
considerable building activity under James IV and V. Much of this was by French architects and
the two great families of masons at this time, the Merliouns and the Franches were both
evidently of French origin.

The earliest mention of a Merlioun is at Ravenscraig castle in 1463 where Henry Merlioun
provided a mason for work on repairs. He was perhaps the father of Walter and John Merlioun
who contracted for "The Kings House" at Stirling Castle in 1496. Walter had probably just
finished work on the church of St. John the Baptist , perth. What they did at Stirling is not clear,
because the palace as it now stands is the work of James V. They did not stay long there because
in 1501 Walter was appointed master mason at the re-building of Holyrood Palace. There he
designed the gatehouse and the tower both of which partially remain , and the other buildings
which have now vanished.

John Merlion was hired at the Tay Bridge rebuilding in 1515 where Robert Merlioun , another
member of the family was master mason, and to where Andrew Merlioun had also been
employed. While the bridge was under construction , two masons, Thomas Fotheringham and
John Brown of Dundee were called in as consultants. John Brown , or possibly his son is heard
of again in 1560 when he purchased stone and lime from the magistrates of Dundee.

Foreign Craftsmen in Scotland during the later Medieval Period:

Red = France
Green = English
Blue = Flemish
Five or six masons called Franche are known to have worked on the Royal Palaces. The most
important of them was Thomas Franche senior whose activities can be traced in some detail. He
was master mason of the Brig of Dee at Aberdeen c. 1520-27. The master of works on the bridge
was Alexander Galloway, a parson, who had been its architect. This must of course be regarded
with suspicion but Galloway appears to have possessed technical knowledge because in 1529 he
advised Aberdeen town council on the proposed town fortifications. While he was in Aberdeen,
Franche did some work on the cathedral. In 1535 he was appointed master mason to the king and
began work at Linlithgow Palace where the long gallery on the south side of the courtyard is by
him. This gallery shows English rather than French influence , the windows being of the typical
Tudor type. After this, Franche worked at Falkland Palace, and made a fountain for Lord
Borthwick with John Roytell, who later became King's Master Mason. About 1540 he advised on
work at St Marys College, St Andrews and before 1551 died, with Lord Borthwicks bill
apparently unpaid.
In 1512 John and Hugh Cowper began the forework of Rothesay Castle. Hugh was the junior of
the two, probably Johns son. It is just possible that this was the John Cowper who had designed
several important buildings in the South of England, but if so he must have been in his seventies
when he came to Rothesay.

Among the other important Scottish craftsmen might be mentioned John Drummond the Kings
Master Carpenter who designed Drummond Castle roof in 1493 and was master carpenter at
Linlithgow Palace four years later; and Nicholas Jackson, architect of Ladykirk, Berwickshire c
1500, who was transferred then to undertake special work on Linlithgow Palace. John Brownhill
with Henry Bawtes completed the gatehouse of Falkland Palace in 1541, and the latter was
probably related to Stephen Bawtee who was master mason at Linlithgow Palace in 1497 and
1512.

But generally speaking French architects were responsible for the more important royal works.
James V visited France, and in 1536 he appointed Moses martin King's French Master mason
while he was at Orleans. Martin was given charge of Dunbar Castle, and later worked at Falkland
Palace. James seems to have wanted to provide accommodation suitable for his Queen , Mary of
Guise, whom he married in 1538. She apparently was dissatisfied because in 1539 she wrote to
her mother asking for masons to be sent from France, and her father sent at least six masons to
Scotland the same year.

The most important French mason who came as a result of this was Nicholas Roy, who was
made King's master Mason in 1539, but who had previously been employed at Falkland at a high
salary (21 shillings per week). He may have designed the building fronting the courtyard at
Falkland which has obvious French characteristics.
Falkland Palace , the South Courtyard front c 1640. Almost certainly by a French
architect, probably Nicholas Roy and shows strong Francis I influence as opposed to the
rather earlier palace block at Stirling Castle which is of the cruder Loius XII style.

Roy has been accredited with its design on stylistic grounds , but what grounds these are is
difficult to see. But it is undoubtedly built by a Frenchman or a Scot who studied contemporary
French buildings. Alexander I and David I had brough the latest English style to use for the
churches which they founded to ensure the elevation of their souls. And now four centuries later,
in a more worldly age, we find James IV and V bringing the latest continental fashion to the
palaces which they founded for the comfort of their bodies.
Stirling Castle , Palace block early 16th Century. detail of a recessed panel showing the
early French renaissance character of the sculpture

Stirling Castle East side of the Palace block (slightly restored) begun in 1496 by Wat and
John Merlioun , but completed under James V after Wat had gone to Holyrood. The
Merliouns however probably provided the original design which is of obvious French
derevation and is the first in Scotland to show renaissance influence