Jedburgh Abbey facts for kids
Jedburgh Abbey from the River, 1798-99 by Thomas Girtin
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jedburgh Abbey |
| Order | Augustinian |
| Established | Ca. 1118 |
| Disestablished | 1560 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | David I of Scotland |
| Site | |
| Location | Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, Scotland |
| Coordinates | grid reference NT650204 |
| Visible remains | Extensive |
| Public access | Yes |
Jedburgh Abbey is a beautiful old abbey in ruins. It was built in the 12th century by Augustinian monks. You can find it in the town of Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders. It's about 10 miles (16 km) north of the border with England, near Carter Bar.
Contents
The Abbey's Early History
In the middle of the 800s, the area around Jedburgh was part of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria. There were two places called Gedworth back then. One of them grew into the Jedburgh we know today. The other was about four miles to the south.
A writer named Symeon of Durham said that Ecgred, a bishop from 830 AD to 845 AD, gave both villages to the church in Lindisfarne. Ecgred's church was in the southern Gedworth. The Jedburgh we know now was called 'where the castle is' to tell it apart.
How Jedburgh Abbey Began
In 1118, before he became king, Prince David started a group of canons regular (a type of monk) from the order of St. Augustine in Jedburgh. At first, it was a 'priory'. A man named Daniel was called the Prior of Geddwrda in 1139.
Later, the church became a monastery. Then, around 1147, it became a full abbey. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. King David died in 1153.
Over the years, Jedburgh has been spelled or called by 83 different names!
Growing in Importance
After King David died, his grandsons Malcolm IV of Scotland and William I of Scotland (also known as William the Lion) supported the abbey. King David's son, Henry, had died before him.
The main parts of the church, called the nave and choir, were built in the 1200s. In 1285, Alexander III of Scotland married Yolande there. People said the abbey had the best Norman and early English architecture.
The Abbey Church of St. Mary of Jedeworth became very important. The abbot (the head monk) was even invited to attend Scottish Parliaments. Besides lands in southern Scotland, Jedburgh Abbey also owned large areas in Northumberland.
Times of Trouble and Destruction
In 1296, the Abbot of Jedburgh promised loyalty to Edward I of England. Edward wanted to control the abbey. He tried to put William de Jarum in charge.
But after William Wallace defeated the English in 1297, the English attacked Jedburgh Abbey. They damaged it badly as revenge.
Robert I of Scotland (Robert the Bruce) continued to support the church in the early 1300s. However, in 1346, after Scotland lost a battle, the English damaged the church again.
Later, in 1370, David II of Scotland helped finish the north transept (a part of the church). The abbey faced more attacks and damage in 1410, 1416, and 1464. In 1523, the Earl of Surrey set the town and abbey on fire. In 1544, the Earl of Hertford caused more damage.
The end for the great Abbey of St. Mary of Jedburgh came in 1560. This was when the Scottish Reformation happened.
Jedburgh Grammar School was started by the monks of Jedburgh Abbey in the late 1400s.
The Reformation and Later Years
When the Protestant Reformation arrived in 1560, the monks were allowed to stay. But the abbey was then used as the local church for the new Protestant religion.
In 1671, the church moved its services to the western part of the nave for safety. This continued until 1871, when the abbey church was considered too unsafe for worship. A new church was then built.
The Marquis of Lothian immediately began to restore the old church. But in 1917, the church was given to the state. Now, Historic Environment Scotland looks after it as a scheduled monument.
Important Burials
- Eadulf Rus
- John Capellanus - Bishop of Glasgow
- Hugh de Roxburgh - Bishop of Glasgow
Visiting Jedburgh Abbey
Jedburgh Abbey is one of four famous abbeys in the Borders area. The others are Kelso, Dryburgh, and Melrose. You can visit them all on the Borders Abbeys Way walking path.
See also
In Spanish: Abadía Jedburgh para niños
- Abbot of Jedburgh, for a list of the leaders of the abbey
- List of places in the Scottish Borders
- List of places in Scotland
