Ancient carvings described the assassination of an abbot.
The restoration of a stone artifact from Dandrennan Abbey in Dumphis, Scotland has shown that it can depict the assassination of an abbot in the 13th century. According to The Scotsman, one of the figures depicted by the carving was with a dagger on his chest, while the other, smaller one, had a cut wound.
According to archaeologists, this scene depicts a murder that took place in an abbey founded in the 12th century by the Cistercians. It was probably a memorial dedicated to the abbot who was wounded or killed.
The small figurine at the feet of the abbot probably represented the attacker. At the same time, the scene depicts the abbot caught in eternal triumph over the offender.
On the carving, the abbot is depicted in monastic attire and holds a staff in his hands, which indicates his status. Nearby is a small dagger that could pierce his chest. At the legs was a small figure with a cut wound and hanging entrails. On the man’s head was the pointed end of the monk’s staff. There are few records of life in Dandrennan, so it is impossible to find out who this abbot was.
Probably, the carved slab was originally supposed to cover the part of the coffin, which was located above the head and chest of the abbot. It was possible to find it only during recent excavations.
It is believed that Mary Stuart spent her last night in Scotland in Commander Dandrenann’s room. The notes of an Italian merchant indicate that in the 13th century the abbey was one of the best places for wool production in Scotland. In 1560 the monks left the abbey and it was destroyed.
