Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/534

 THIRD PERIOD 514 RESIDENCE OF THE KNIGHTS in the vault between the first and second floors, where the wheel stair rendered this operation almost impossible. Probably this tower was the residence of the superior, and formed a kind of keep, and the hatch in the floor was to enable valuables to be hoisted up hastily in case of need. There was a door from the principal room on the second floor (in which the corbelled windows were), which looked into the hall from a high level, and commanded a view of all that went on there. The position of this doorway is shown on the plan and section (Figs. 436 and 442). Of the history of this building absolutely nothing seems to be certainly known. It is said to have belonged to the Knights Templars ; but this is impossible, as that order was broken up long before the date of this building, which is probably of the second half of the fifteenth century, or the early part of the sixteenth cen- tury. It is also said to have been the town residence of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, and this seems to be the general opinion. Their principal place in Scotland being at Torphichen, about four miles distant from Linlithgow (where the ruins of their church still stand), favours this idea. 1 Fio. 442. Section through Tower. DUNFERMLINE PALACE, FIFESHIRE. The town of Dunfermline occupies a prominent place in Scottish history. The locality was a favourite resort of Malcolm Canmore, and the foundations of a tower, said to have been built by him, may still be traced on a rocky eminence which projects into the valley on the south of the town. It was here that he was married, in 1070, to Margaret, the sister of Edgar Atheling, who exercised so great an influence in the introduction of civilisation and religion from the south. The Abbey of Dunfermline was founded by Malcolm in this neigh- bourhood, and became in after times one of the richest and most exten- sive of the monastic institutions of the country. Here the sainted Margaret and her husband were buried, as well as a long succession of kings and princes. From Malcolm's time Dunfermline became a constant residence of the Scottish kings, and the monastery was enlarged and endowed by Alexander i. and his successors. The buildings must have been of 1 This church is illustrated and described in the Building News of 26th March 1886 ; and also, with greater fulness, in the second volume of the Sketch Book, published by the Edinburgh Architectural Association.