Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Pilgrimage To The Preceptory Of St. John's, Torphichen.
the south transept , whose only remains , alas . ' are a few fragments pendent from the apex . The interval is built up nearly to the top with modern masonry , no doubt with a view to strengthen and protect the rest . Immediately below this south window is a singular stone recess , which has attracted notice from the unknown nature of its use . In length it may be about eight or nine feet , and in breadth about three . A gothic moulding environs and ornaments its exteriorwhile two shields
, with obliterated bearings are sculptured on either side of it . For what especial purpose this recess was constructed there are various opinions . It is alleged by some to have been used as a depositary for the bodies of the deceased during the performance of the funeral service of the church . Others imagine , that those knights and brethren who were adjudged to do penance for faults or offences , by passing whole nights alone employed in penitence and prayerwere permitted this stone couch to retire
, to at intervals and soften the severities of trial ; which version is varied by the supposition that it was itself a peculiar place of punishment , and that the refractory or disobedient were therein confined , to lay stretched out in their armour , the objects of pity and contempt , and warning to the rest . Be this as it may , we think it not improbable that it might have had some mysterious share in the rites of reception ; although we
admit the plausibility of a conjecture that the recess in question served merely as a receptacle for the utensils or paraphernalia used in the ecclesiastical services—an opinion perhaps countenanced b y the baptismal font being situated hard by , in a hole in the wall There is also a tradition that _ under this mysterious recess were buried the bodies of the defunct kni ghts and members ; but we could not prevail upon our friend the sexton to labour in his vocation , by trying to disinter them .
But by far the most interesting relic to our eyes , because the only one relative to a known individual of the Order , was the monument of Sir AYalter Lindsay , the second last Preceptor of Torphichen—the immediate predecessor of Sir James Sandilands . It consists simply of a rectangular tablet divided into two compartments , round each of which is a border of beautiful tracery . It is inserted in the wall immediately above a modern mural monument . On the upper compartment is sculptured
an ornamented crosier , ingeniously designed of various emblems of the Order , such as crossed swords , shields , helmet , & c , executed in a very masterl y manner . The under tablet contains the representation of a skeleton recumbent , with its arms across . Around this is an inscription purporting that the deceased knight was preceptor of Torphichen , and died in the year 1538 . Such is all that remains to tell of the illustrious line of chivalrous chiefs who ruled over the Order of the Hospital of St . John .
Sir AA ' alter Lindsay was a knight of no small credit and renown , and recommended himself to his sovereign James V . alike by his valour in fight , and his discretion in counsel . He was appointed by the King , Justice-General of Scotland . A celebrated Scottish poet of his day , Sir David Lindsay of the Mount , thus commemorates the knight of Torphichen , in the " Testament of Squyer Meldrum : " " The wise Sir Walter Lindsay thev him call
. Lord ofS't . Johu . aud KnightofToipiehen . By sea and land a valiant capilanc . " It is conjectured that more of his monument has existed , which time or other destructive causes have swept away . AVe look in vain around upon the dark and vacant walls for any further memorial of the ancient
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Pilgrimage To The Preceptory Of St. John's, Torphichen.
the south transept , whose only remains , alas . ' are a few fragments pendent from the apex . The interval is built up nearly to the top with modern masonry , no doubt with a view to strengthen and protect the rest . Immediately below this south window is a singular stone recess , which has attracted notice from the unknown nature of its use . In length it may be about eight or nine feet , and in breadth about three . A gothic moulding environs and ornaments its exteriorwhile two shields
, with obliterated bearings are sculptured on either side of it . For what especial purpose this recess was constructed there are various opinions . It is alleged by some to have been used as a depositary for the bodies of the deceased during the performance of the funeral service of the church . Others imagine , that those knights and brethren who were adjudged to do penance for faults or offences , by passing whole nights alone employed in penitence and prayerwere permitted this stone couch to retire
, to at intervals and soften the severities of trial ; which version is varied by the supposition that it was itself a peculiar place of punishment , and that the refractory or disobedient were therein confined , to lay stretched out in their armour , the objects of pity and contempt , and warning to the rest . Be this as it may , we think it not improbable that it might have had some mysterious share in the rites of reception ; although we
admit the plausibility of a conjecture that the recess in question served merely as a receptacle for the utensils or paraphernalia used in the ecclesiastical services—an opinion perhaps countenanced b y the baptismal font being situated hard by , in a hole in the wall There is also a tradition that _ under this mysterious recess were buried the bodies of the defunct kni ghts and members ; but we could not prevail upon our friend the sexton to labour in his vocation , by trying to disinter them .
But by far the most interesting relic to our eyes , because the only one relative to a known individual of the Order , was the monument of Sir AYalter Lindsay , the second last Preceptor of Torphichen—the immediate predecessor of Sir James Sandilands . It consists simply of a rectangular tablet divided into two compartments , round each of which is a border of beautiful tracery . It is inserted in the wall immediately above a modern mural monument . On the upper compartment is sculptured
an ornamented crosier , ingeniously designed of various emblems of the Order , such as crossed swords , shields , helmet , & c , executed in a very masterl y manner . The under tablet contains the representation of a skeleton recumbent , with its arms across . Around this is an inscription purporting that the deceased knight was preceptor of Torphichen , and died in the year 1538 . Such is all that remains to tell of the illustrious line of chivalrous chiefs who ruled over the Order of the Hospital of St . John .
Sir AA ' alter Lindsay was a knight of no small credit and renown , and recommended himself to his sovereign James V . alike by his valour in fight , and his discretion in counsel . He was appointed by the King , Justice-General of Scotland . A celebrated Scottish poet of his day , Sir David Lindsay of the Mount , thus commemorates the knight of Torphichen , in the " Testament of Squyer Meldrum : " " The wise Sir Walter Lindsay thev him call
. Lord ofS't . Johu . aud KnightofToipiehen . By sea and land a valiant capilanc . " It is conjectured that more of his monument has existed , which time or other destructive causes have swept away . AVe look in vain around upon the dark and vacant walls for any further memorial of the ancient