Melrose

Category

Library Item

Item no

24829

Title

Melrose

Description

This image shows Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders.

Artist / maker

De Cardonnel, Adam

Date

1788

Size

7.0 x 9.0 cm

Type

Etching

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The British 19th century engraver and archaeologist Adam de Cardonnel was an educated man who practiced for a short while as a surgeon however his family's wealth gave him the leisure to indulge his interest in antiquities and numismatics. At the end of 1780 he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland where he also served as curator from 1782 to 1784. Cardonnel later went on to produce work titled as 'Numismata Scotiae' which was published in Edinburgh in 1786 and 'Picturesque Antiquities of Scotland' which was published in London in 1788. Soon after this Adam De Cardonnel took over his cousin - Hilton Lawson's - estates in Chirton and Cramlington in Northumberland where he then served as sheriff for the county in 1796 and became knows as 'Adam De Cardonnel-Lawson'. Cardonnel spent his last days in Bath and after dying at age 73 he was buried at Cramlington in June 1820.

Melrose Abbey was founded in 1136 by David I. It was the first Cistercian abbey in Scotland. During the wars with the English in the Middle Ages the Abbey was attacked by the English on several occaisions. After an attack by Richard II in 1385 the abbey had to be completely rebuilt. The abbey was the home to around 100 monks. It had extensive lands and was an important agriculturalist of the area known for its wool produce. The Abbey was attacked during the Reformation in the sixteenth century, and from then on it fell into disrepair. It is now managed by Historic Environment Scotland.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Tracery windows

Homes > Derelict buildings and excavation sites > Ruins

Places > Scotland > Borders

Places > Scotland > Melrose

Places > United Kingdom > Scotland

Religion > Religious facilities > Abbeys

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