maximus otter
Recovering policeman
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Restoration of the piece from Dundrennan Abbey in Dumfries and Galloway now clearly shows the figure of an abbot complete with a dagger on his chest.
A second, smaller figure at the abbot’s feet is depicted with a gash wound and hanging entrails.
Archaeologist Adrian Cox said the carving may record the assassination of an abbot at Dundrennan, which was founded in the 12th Century by an austere order of Cisterian monks.
Mr Cox, formerly of the cultural resources team at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “It seems possible that this memorial commemorates an abbot of Dundrennan who was wounded or assassinated.
"The small figure at his feet likely represents his assailant. The symbolism is rather poignant, the scene depicting the abbot as triumphant over his assailant in perpetuity.”
In the carving, the abbot is wearing his monastic habit and holds in his left hand a long staff – or crosier – across his body in a show of status.
His right hand is placed over his chest, and a small dagger is shown alongside, penetrating his chest.
At the abbot’s feet lies a small figure wounded by a large gash below the waist. The entrails of the man can be seen spilling out below his navel with the pointed end of the abbot’s crosier resting on his head.
Few records from monastic life at Dundrennan survive with the identity of the abbot unknown.
The carving would originally have covered a tomb chest and is one of number to be recently conserved at the abbey, which sits in a valley around five miles from Kirkcudbright.
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-a...bbots-assassination-at-scottish-abbey-3294908
maximus otter
A second, smaller figure at the abbot’s feet is depicted with a gash wound and hanging entrails.
Archaeologist Adrian Cox said the carving may record the assassination of an abbot at Dundrennan, which was founded in the 12th Century by an austere order of Cisterian monks.
Mr Cox, formerly of the cultural resources team at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “It seems possible that this memorial commemorates an abbot of Dundrennan who was wounded or assassinated.
"The small figure at his feet likely represents his assailant. The symbolism is rather poignant, the scene depicting the abbot as triumphant over his assailant in perpetuity.”
In the carving, the abbot is wearing his monastic habit and holds in his left hand a long staff – or crosier – across his body in a show of status.
His right hand is placed over his chest, and a small dagger is shown alongside, penetrating his chest.
At the abbot’s feet lies a small figure wounded by a large gash below the waist. The entrails of the man can be seen spilling out below his navel with the pointed end of the abbot’s crosier resting on his head.
Few records from monastic life at Dundrennan survive with the identity of the abbot unknown.
The carving would originally have covered a tomb chest and is one of number to be recently conserved at the abbey, which sits in a valley around five miles from Kirkcudbright.
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-a...bbots-assassination-at-scottish-abbey-3294908
maximus otter
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