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15/08/2020 ·

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Did you know that Dunfermline Abbey's story dates

Did you know that Dunfermline Abbey's story dates all the way back to the 11th century?

In 1070, Margaret (Saint Margaret, Queen of Scotland) founded a priory in Dunfermline on the site where she had married Malcolm III. She introduced a small community of Benedictine monks from Canterbury, and so laid the foundations of the first Benedictine house in Scotland. Her son David I raised its status to an abbey in the 12th century.

Margaret was even buried there, and following her canonisation in 1250, exhumed to an elaborate shrine with her husband.

Today, a parish church stands on the site, including the tomb of Robert I and other royals.

Fun fact: Charles I, the last British monarch to be born in Scotland, was born there in 1600!
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#scottishhistory #scottishheritage #scotland #visitscotland #historygirls #womenshistorycircle #herstory #womeninhistory #catholicsaints #catholicchurch #catholic #saintoftheday #churches #abbey #dunfermlineabbey #saintmargaret #queen

I'm so excited to announce that, in conjunction wi

I'm so excited to announce that, in conjunction with the feats of our patron saint St Margaret, we're officially relaunching Damascena this weekend!

Saint Margaret of Scotland, also known as Margaret of Wessex, was a popular historical figure in Scotland and is remembered as a devout and charitable queen who lived in the 11th century. Her life was characterized by acts of piety, kindness, and a deep devotion to God, which helped to transform the spiritual landscape of Scotland during her time.

Margaret was born in 1045 in Hungary, the daughter of Edward the Confessor's exiled brother, and grew up in the court of Edward the Confessor in England. She was known for her exceptional beauty, intelligence, and strong-willed character. She was also highly Christianized, having been raised by her devout Christian mother.

Margaret's life changed dramatically when she was married off to King Malcolm III of Scotland in 1070. Despite the fact that Scotland was in a state of war with England at the time, Margaret quickly won the hearts of the Scottish people with her kindness, generosity, and piety. She was loved for her charity work, her interest in education, and her devotion to the Church.

Margaret made significant contributions to the religious life of Scotland during her time as queen. Her influence on the Church was significant, and she worked tirelessly to promote the faith and expand the Church in Scotland. She helped to establish the first Benedictine monastery in Scotland, and she funded the building of new churches throughout Scotland, including the Abbey of Dunfermline.

Margaret's legacy was also felt in the lives of ordinary people, as she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor and sick. She set up hospitals and hospices where people could receive medical care and food. Her generosity and kindness towards the poor and needy earned her the nickname, "The Pearl of Scotland."

Despite her short life Margaret had a lasting impact on Scotland and is still remembered today as a noble and virtuous queen who devoted her life to the service of God and her people.

“Everything you look at can become a fairytale a

“Everything you look at can become a fairytale and you can get a story from everything you touch”
Hans Christian Andersen

A bit of poetry in recognition of #AustraliaDay la

A bit of poetry in recognition of #AustraliaDay last week. Like Dorothea Mackellar, I'm torn between my love for two countries... take my back to wintery days, cobblestones and castles in #England!

The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes.
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins,
Strong love of grey-blue distance
Brown streams and soft dim skies
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!

Born on this day: Joan of England, Queen of Scotla

Born on this day: Joan of England, Queen of Scotland. Joan was the third child of John, King of England, and Isabella of Angoulême. As a child, Joan was promised in marriage to Hugh X of Lusignan. However, upon her father's death, her mother the dowager queen Isabella married Hugh X herself.

On 21 June 1221, Joan was married to the Scottish king, Alexander II. He was aged 23, she was only 11. Their marriage proved to be unsuccessful and produced no heirs. It is possible that Joan and Alexander later became estranged and Joan returned to England where she died in 1238 and was buried at Tarrant Abbey.

Years later, Joan's brother King Henry III ordered the production of a marble funeral effigy for Joan's tomb which was one of the first for a queen of England. It, unfortunately, does not survive to this day. Joan is thought to now be buried in a gold coffin in the graveyard at the church of St Mary the Virgin (pictured) which is all that remains of Tarrant Abbey.

Photo by Mike Searle / Parish Church of St Mary, Tarrant Crawford (interior)

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