ion of such a
structure often extended over several hundred years. Kelso bears
mark of having been a full century in building; and during all that
time at least, perhaps for long afterwards, the carver of wood, the
sculptor in stone and marble, the tile-maker and the lead and
iron-worker, the painter, whether of scripture stories or of
heraldic blazonings, the designer and the worker in stained glass
for those gorgeous windows which we now vainly try to imitate--must
each have been in requisition, and each, in the exercise of his art,
contributed to raise the taste and cultivate the minds of the
inmates of the cloister. Of many of these works the monks themselves
were the artists and artisans, and it would be a grievous mistake to
suppose that the effect was merely that of living and working in an
artist's shop. The interest and honour of the convent, the honest
rivalry with neighbouring houses and other orders; above all, the
zeal for religion which was honoured by their efforts, the strong
desire to render its rites magnificent, and to set forth in a worthy
manner the worship of the Deity--all these gave to the works of the
old monks a principle and a feeling above what modern art must ever
hope to reach."[416]

Situated as it was near the Border, the abbey suffered severely during
the War of Independence. The monastery was laid waste and the monks were
supported by contributions from the other houses of their own order. In
1344 the abbey buildings were destroyed by fire, and David II. granted
permission to the monks to cut wood in Selkirk and Jedwart Forest to
enable them to carry out the necessary repairs.

In 1511 the Bishop of Caithness was appointed commendator, and decline
of the abbey soon followed. After the battle of Flodden in 1513, David
Ker of Cessford took possession of the abbey, and his brother was
appointed abbot. In 1522 and 1523 invasion and havoc spread over
Teviotdale; Lords Ross and Dacre pillaged the town, sparing the abbey;
but in 1523 Lord Dacre sacked and burned it. The abbot's house and
buildings surrounding it, the chapel of the Virgin, and the cells of the
dormitory were all reduced to ashes; the lead was stripped from the
roof, and the abbey rendered uninhabitable. All religious services were
stopped, and the monks had to retire in want and poverty to a village
near. From 1536 to 1538 James Stewart, natural son of