|
Dunfermline Abbey is in the centre of
Dunfermline Town.
The earliest parts of this Church were built
in the 1070s for Malcolm Canmore (King Malcolm
III) and his wife Margaret, later Saint
Margaret.
The buildings seen today are the large Abbey
and Palace that are now a partial ruin with a
museum, and the large Abbey Church that has the
west side built in the 1200s, and east side
built in the 1800s. Postcode: KY12 7PE
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click on Map for area Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
View a Large Image
showing the whole complex.
The remains of Canmore Tower, the Kings
Castle, are in Pittencrieff Park next to the
Abbey.
Malcolm III
made Dunfermline his capital of the parts of
Scotland he controlled. His descendants were
the first Kings to control all of Scotland.
Before this time, Scotland was made up of a
number of regions, each with their own
ruler.
David I, son of Malcolm and Margaret, built
the large fortresses of Edinburgh
Castle and Stirling Castle from where they
could start to control all of Scotland.
The Canmore Kings ruled Scotland until
Alexander III 1249 – 1286 died without leaving
an heir. This led to the wars with England and
Robert the Bruce becoming king of Scotland.
Descendants of Robert the
Bruce were the Stuart's, that ruled
Scotland and England until Queen Anne Stuart
died in 1707 without leaving an heir. Her
German cousin George I became King of Great
Britain at that time, with his descendants
being the monarchs of the UK to this day.
Many Royals are buried at Dunfermline Abbey
including Malcom III and his wife Margaret in
1093, their son David I in 1153, Malcom IV in
1165, the last Canmore king Alexander III in
1286, and Robert the Bruce in 1329.
After Margaret became a Saint, Royals from
around the world requested parts of her
remains. There seems to be no remains left of
Saint Margaret at Dunfermline Abbey. A Shrine
to Saint Margaret
is on the east side of the Abbey Church.
The original Priory Church built for Malcom
III and Margaret was built around 1073, where
the larger Abbey Church stands today.
That Church was enlarged by their son
Alexander I from 1126 with a huge central
tower. Domestic buildings were also built next
to the Abbey Church from this time, resulting
in the Church being raised to the status of an
Abbey for David I in 1150.
1560 - The Reformation leads to Dunfermline
Abbey becoming a Protestant Presbyterian
Church of
Scotland.
1600 - Charles I is
born at the Palace at Dunfermline Abbey. He was
King of Scotland, England and Ireland from 1625
until his execution during the English Civil
War in 1649.
1818 - the collapse of the great tower
destroyed much of the Abbey Church, leading to
the east side being rebuilt. This has resulted
in the Abbey Church looking like two different
buildings joined in the middle.
1818 - workmen find the Tomb of Robert the
Bruce. A cast of his scull was taken at that
time, now displayed in the New Church.
1819 - the remains of Robert the Bruce are
interred in the new section of the Church below
the Alter.
1821 - the new section of the Abbey Church
is completed, it serves to this day as a Church
of Scotland Parish Church.
1900s - The partial Abbey ruins, Palace, and
1200s section of the Abbey Church are
maintained and run as a museum by Historic
Scotland with a small entrance fee.
The 1800s section of the Abbey Church is
free to visit when not in use for private
Weddings and Funerals.
|
