Image: Effigies in the Chapter House - geograph.org.uk - 1628617

Description: Effigies in the Chapter House. This is a view of the interior of the chapter house of Inchmahome Priory. Under the direction of a prior or sub-prior, the canons met here daily; they sat on the stone benches that are visible around the walls. Following a reading of a chapter of the monastic rule (hence the name "chapter house"), they would transact the business of the priory here, as well as making confession and receiving absolution [see the official guide booklet (Historic Scotland)]. The life-size figure on the left represents a knight, whose shield bears the Stewart arms, while those on the right represent the Countess and Earl of Menteith (the Earl is also portrayed with a shield). The Countess, Mary, had inherited her title; the Earl, Walter Bailloch Stewart, who died c.1294, came by his title only by virtue of his marriage to her (jure uxoris). The couple were buried in the choir of the priory church; the chapter house later became a mausoleum, and the effigies (as well as some other remains from the old priory) were moved here for display, and for protection from the elements. For an external view of this building, see 1563254, where the chapter house is the roofed structure that is visible just right of centre.
Title: Effigies in the Chapter House - geograph.org.uk - 1628617
Credit: From geograph.org.uk
Author: Lairich Rig
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