Yester Chapel facts for kids
Yester Chapel is a very old and important building. It is located on the beautiful estate of Yester House, near the village of Gifford in East Lothian, Scotland. This chapel is considered a special historical building. It is known as a Category A listed building, which means it is very important and protected.
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History of Yester Chapel
People believe the first church on this spot was built by the de Giffard family in the early 1200s. It was officially made holy, or consecrated, by David de Bernham, who was the Bishop of St. Andrews, in 1241. The church and the nearby village were originally called Bothans.
Early Owners of Yester
The land where Yester Chapel stands was given to Hugh de Giffard in the 1100s. This gift came from King Malcolm IV of Scotland and his mother, Ada de Warenne. Later, between 1198 and 1202, King William I of Scotland confirmed this gift to Hugh's son, William de Giffard. The king called the area "Jhestrid."
From Parish Church to College
For many years, the church served the local area as a parish church. This means it was the main church for the people living in that community. In 1421, the Hay family became the new owners of Yester. They asked the Archbishop of St. Andrews to change the church into a collegiate church.
What is a Collegiate Church?
A collegiate church was a special kind of church. It had a group of priests, called prebendaries, who lived and worked together. They would pray for the souls of the Hay family. The Collegiate Church of St. Cuthbert at Bothans had a leader called a provost, four prebendaries, a chaplain, and even singing boys. By 1539, the college had grown to include six prebendaries.
After the Reformation
The Scottish Reformation happened in 1560. This was a big change in Scotland's religious history. After the Reformation, Yester Chapel went back to being a regular Parish Church for Bothans. The Hay family still owned the land and the church.
Building a New Village and Church
This continued until the Hay family, who were now known as the Marquesses of Tweeddale, decided to build a new village. They created the village of Gifford, East Lothian and moved people from Bothans. They also built a brand new church, called Yester Kirk, in 1708. This meant the old Bothans Kirk was no longer needed as a parish church.
Yester Chapel Today
The old Bothans Kirk then became known as Yester Chapel. It was used as a special burial place for the Hay family. Over the years, the chapel has been repaired and restored many times to keep it in good condition.
Understanding the Names
The name Yester comes from an old word, Yestryd. This word means a strath or dale, which is a wide valley. The name Bothans comes from a Gaelic or Welsh word. Both words mean "a group of small houses" or "dwellings."
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