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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Dunfermline Abbey
Abbey
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Dunfermline Abbey

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 County

Fife, Scotland (1 castle) 

 Categories

TBC

 Remains

TBC

 Access

TBC - Please check before visiting

 Location56.06986,-3.4635 (Google Maps)
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 DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Fife, Scotland (1 castle) 

 Categories

TBC

 Remains

TBC

 Access

TBC - Please check before visiting

 Location
56.06986,-3.4635
///mirror.couple.prone
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
Dunfermline Abbey was founded by Margaret, the wife of Malcom Cranmore in around 1070. Margaret was the sister of f Edgar the Aetheling and had fled with her brother to Scotland after the Norman Invasion of William the Conqueror. Margaret was deeply religious and founded several abbeys including Dunfermline. Monks from Canterbury were sent to populate the new foundation by Archbishop Lanfranc. The first church on the site was small as the numbers of monks sent was few, but over time it grew in importance and in the reign of David I, Margaret's son, the church was dedicated (1150). In around 1250 the small church was taken down and replaced by a much larger set of buildings. In 1560 the church was attacked and badly damaged during the Scottish Reformation and remained in a decaying state until in the nineteenth century a new church was built around it. Many important Scottish rulers are buried on the site.

Location

See Also

People

  • Margaret (of Wessex)
  • Edgar (King of Scotland 1097-1107)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Related Information

  • Timeline of abbey foundations
  • The origin of monasteries
  • The Cistercian order of monks

Related Maps

  • Map of Abbeys

Related Episodes

Edward I and Scotland (click here)

Edward I and Scotland (click here)

Timeline

1070

...

Dunfermline Abbey founded

The Abbey of Dunfermline was founded by Malcolm III, King of the Scots and his wife Margaret.

1128

...

Construction of new church at Dunfermline Abbey

The construction of new church buildings was begun in 1128 at Dunfermline Abbey. The outline of this earlier church can be seen on the floor of the current nave.

1250

June 19

Body of Queen Margaret moved

After several years and many petitions to Rome, the body of Queen Margaret, the wife of Malcolm Canmore, was moved from its position in Dunfermline Abbey to a more prominent position nearer the altar. The Queen was canonised as a saint.

1303

December

Edward stays at Dunfermline Abbey

Edward spent the winter months at Dunfermline Abbey where he planned the attack on Stirling Castle. ¹

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. Susan Ross, The Castles of Scotland, ISBN:0-85097-184-5

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    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Margaret (of Wessex)
    • Edgar (King of Scotland 1097-1107)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Related Information

    • Timeline of abbey foundations
    • The origin of monasteries
    • The Cistercian order of monks

    Related Maps

    • Map of Abbeys

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