Arbroath Abbey, showing distinctive sandstone colouring.

Arbroath Abbey was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion for a group of Tironesian Benedictine monks from Kelso. It was consecrated in 1197 with a dedication to the deceased Saint Thomas Becket, whom the king had met at the English court. It was William's only personal foundation — he was buried within its precincts in 1214. Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 347 KB)Arbroath Abbey, showing distinctive sandstone colouring. ... Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 347 KB)Arbroath Abbey, showing distinctive sandstone colouring. ... Red Sandstone in Wyoming Layered sandstone Sandstone is an arenaceous sedimentary rock composed mainly of feldspar and quartz and varies in colour (in a similar way to sand), through grey, yellow, red, and white. ... Events June 18 - Five Canterbury monks see what was possibly the Giordano Bruno crater being formed The Sung Document written detailing the discovery of Mu-Lan-Pi (suggested by some to be California) by Muslim sailors The Chronicle of Gervase of Canterbury written The Leaning Tower of Pisa begins to... William I (William the Lion, William Leo, William Dunkeld or William Canmore), (1142/1143 - December 4, 1214) reigned as King of Scotland from 1165 to 1214. ... The longest lasting of the western Catholic monastic orders, the Order of Saint Benedict traces its origins to the adoption of the monastic life by St. ... Kelso is a burgh in the Scottish Borders, located where the River Teviot flows into the River Tweed, a place famous for its salmon fishing and rugby club. ... To consecrate an inaminate object is to dedicate it in a ritual to a special purpose, usually religious. ... Events Amalric II succeeds Henry II of Champagne as king of Jerusalem. ... Saint Thomas à Becket (or Thomas Becket) (ca. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Religion... Events Simon Apulia becomes Bishop of Exeter. ...

The last of the abbots was Cardinal Beaton, who in 1522 succeeded his uncle James when he later became archbishop of St Andrews. It is now under the supervision of the government and is open to the public. The sandstone ruins stand at the top of the High Street in Arbroath. Cardinal David Beaton David Beaton (c. ... Events January 9 - Adrian Dedens becomes Pope Adrian VI. February 26 - Execution by hanging of Cuauhtémoc, Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan under orders of conquistador Hernán Cortés. ... Location within the British Isles. ... Red Sandstone in Wyoming Layered sandstone Sandstone is an arenaceous sedimentary rock composed mainly of feldspar and quartz and varies in colour (in a similar way to sand), through grey, yellow, red, and white. ...

History

King William gave the abbey independence from its mother church and endowed it generously, including income from 24 parishes, land in every royal borough and more. The abbey's monks were allowed to run a market and build a harbour. King John of England gave the abbey permission to buy and sell goods anywhere in England (except London) toll-free. A motherchurch or mother church in Christianity is used in three forms. ... John (French: Jean) (December 24, 1166–October 18/19, 1216) reigned as King of England from April 6, 1199, until his death. ...

The abbey is most well-known for its association with the Declaration of Arbroath, which is believed to have been drafted by Bernard de Linton, who was abbot at that time. The Declaration of Arbroath. ...

Since 1947, a pageant commemorating the declaration's signing has been held within the roofless remains of the abbey. The celebration is run by a local group, the Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society, and tells the story of the events which led up to the signing. 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The abbey fell into ruin after the Reformation. From 1590 onward, its stones were raided to build things for the town of Arbroath. This continued until 1815 when steps were taken to preserve the remaining ruins. The Protestant Reformation was a movement which began in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but ended in division and the establishment of new institutions, most importantly Lutheranism, Reformed churches, and Anabaptists. ... Events March 14 - Battle of Ivry - Henry IV of France again defeats the forces of the Catholic League under the Duc de Mayenne. ... The ruined Arbroath Abbey, build from local red sandstone. ... 1815 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

On Christmas Day 1950, the Stone of Destiny was stolen from Westminster Abbey. On April 11, 1951, the missing stone was found lying on the site of the abbey's altar. Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus, at the first Christmas Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. ... 1950 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Two different historical stones are each known as the Stone of Destiny. ... The Abbey at night, from Deans Yard. ... April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (102nd in leap years). ... 1951 was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ...

Modern day

In the summer of 2001 a new visitor's centre opened to the public. This wave-shaped building houses a number of historical displays, and features a viewing gallery from which the abbey can be seen. The centre won the 2002 Angus Design Award for its distinctive use of red sandstone and natural materials, including a moss-covered roof. 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Arbroath Abbey, showing The Round 'O'.

The abbey's nave was mainly of an Early English architectural style, while the western gable was Norman. The cruciform church measured 276 feet long by 160 feet wide. What remains today are the vestry, the southern transept (including its famous rose-lit window), part of the chancel, the southern hall of the nave, part of the entrance towers and the western doorway. Download high resolution version (1275x852, 233 KB)View of Arbroath Abbey showing the Round O. Photo taken by Aaron Bell on December 28th 2004. ... Download high resolution version (1275x852, 233 KB)View of Arbroath Abbey showing the Round O. Photo taken by Aaron Bell on December 28th 2004. ... Full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... West façade of the Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral A façade (sometimes just facade) is the exterior of a building – especially the front, but also sometimes the sides and rear. ... This article talks about the Norman people. ... Cruciform means having the shape of a cross. ... A vestry is a room within or attached to a church which is used to store vestments and other items used in worship. ... Full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ... This article is about an architectural feature; for the astronomical term see apsis. ...

The abbey features a distinctive round 'O' shape cut high into the main building. This window was originally lit up as a beacon for mariners. This page discusses Beacons, fires designed to attract attention. ...

External links

• Undiscovered Scotland's detailed history (http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/arbroath/arbroathabbey/)
• http://www.angus.gov.uk/history/features/buildings/arbabbey.htm
• http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/op_ourproperties_searchdetail.asp?id=90018
• http://mysite.freeserve.com/arbroathabbeypageant/
• 2002 Angus Design Award (http://www.angus.gov.uk/new/releases-archive/2003/2003-02-07a.html)

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ... The Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica ( 1911) in many ways represents the sum of knowledge at the beginning of the 20th century. ...