Grampian Club > Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland > Volume 1

342 KIKKCUUBKIGHTSHIRE.
PARISH OF NEW ABBEY.
In this parish is situated Sweetheart Abbey, founded in 1275, and
planted with Cistercian monks. The foundress was Devorgilla,
daughter of Alan, Lord of Galloway, wife of John Baliol, and
mother of John Baliol, King of Scotland. Her husband died in
1268, and was laid beside the dust of his ancestors in Teesdale ; but
Devorgilla, in token of her affection, caused his heart to be embalmed,
and in a silver-bound ivory casket to be preserved beside her till
the erection of this Abbey constituted a shrine for its reception.
The casket was built into the wall over the high altar, where
it remained till Devorgilla's own death. She died in 1289,
and was buried in the Abbey. The casket was now placed
upon her bosom; hence the name of Dulce Cor, or "Sweetheart"
which was given to the structure. On Devorgilla's tomb was
engraved the following epitaph, composed by Hugh de Burgh,
prior of Lanercost : —
" In Dervorvilla moritur sensata Sibilla ;
Cum Marthaque pia, comptemplativa Maria ;
Da Dervorvillam requie. Rex summe, potiri,
Quam tegit iste lapis, cor pariterque viri."
The ground under the central tower has long been used as a place
of sepulture. On the oldest tombstone is the inscription " Joani
Broun de Landensis," with the date " IMDCXIII." Built into a
comparatively modern wall are two tablets, one with the initials
" R. B. ;" the other with the words " Heir lyes Gauvine Broune of
Bishoptone, 1683." Gilbert Brown, the prototype of Scott's abbot
of St. Marie's, was the last who bore rule over the monks of this
abbey ; tlie family exercised great influence in the district In the
churchyard a stone, rudely carved, celebrates (according to popular
belief) William Gladstanes, an ecclesiastic. The inscription is as
follows : —