Page 63
[illustration] To the Right Honourable GEORGE Earl of Caith∣ness, Lord Biridall, &c. (Book Rosslyn Chapel)
ROSLIN Chapel. (Book Rosslyn Chapel)
THIS Chapel lies in Mid-Lothian, Four Miles from Edinburgh, and is one of the most curious Pieces of Workman-ship in Europe. The Foundation of this rare Building was laid Anno 1440 by William St Clair, Prince of Orkney, Duke of Holdenburgh, &c. A Man as considerable for the publick Works which he erected, as for the Lands which he possess'd, and the Ho∣nours which were conferred upon him by several of the greatest Princes of Europe. It is remarkable that in all this Work there are not two Cuts of one sort. The most curious Part of the Building is the Vault of the Quire, and that which is called the Prince's Pillar so much talk'd of. This Chapel was possess'd by a Provost, and Seven Canons Regular, who were endued with several considerable Revenues through the Liberality of the Lairds of Roslin.
Here lies buried George Earl of Caithness, who lived about the Begin∣ning of the Reformation, Alexander Earl of Sutherland, great Grand-Child to King Robert de Bruce, Three Earls of Orkney, and Nine Barons of Roslin.
The last lay in a Vault, so dry that their Bodies have been found in∣tire after Fourscore Years, and as fresh as when they were first buried. There goes a Tradition, That before the Death of any of the Family of Roslin, this Chapel appears all in Fire.