Medieval Floor and Roof Tiles from Melrose Abbey, Scottish Borders, and the ‘Westminster Tilers’

Abstract

AN ASSEMBLAGE OF more than 2500 fragments of tile was recovered from within the precinct of Melrose Abbey during excavations in 2009. The collection includes a large group of decorated floor tiles, the designs of which have links with the ‘Westminster School’, and which are unlike any other previously excavated at the abbey. This paper places the group in context and considers the implications of the find.

This project was commissioned by Gordon Melrose Building Design on behalf of St Mary’s School.

Notes

1 Sue Anderson, Head of Post-Excavation Services, CFA Archaeology Ltd, Old Engine House, Eskmills Park, Musselburgh, EH21 7PQ, Scotland, UK. [email protected]

2 Dennison and Coleman 1998, 74

3 See Fawcett and Oram 2004, 38 for conflicting reports regarding this destruction.

4 Oram 2011, 9.

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid, 10.

7 Eg Baker et al 1979, 46–51; Smith 2011, fig 2c; Noonan and Johnston 2009, 16.

8 SUERC-33041: 625±30 bp.

9 The plain Flemish-type tiles on display in Melrose Abbey museum have vertical sides, as do some of the very thick mosaic tiles.

10 See Richardson 1929, p iv, for illustrations of most of the inlaid tiles there.

11 Eames 1980.

12 Betts 2002.

13 Stopford 2005.

14 Stopford 2005, fig 12·2, no 4·9.

15 Eames 1980, vol 1, 336.

16 Aliaga-Kelly and Proudfoot 1995, fig 2a; this example is smaller and thinner than the Melrose tiles.

17 On display at Melrose Abbey museum.

18 Moloney and Baker 2001, 67–9.

19 Quoted in Richardson 1929 and Norton 1994, 145.

20 Norton 1994, 145.

21 Drury 2000, 60.

22 Eg in the Severn Valley: Drury 1981, 131.

23 Wright 1988, 102–3.

24 Betts 2008.

25 Betts 2007.

26 Norton 1994, but based on a conference paper from 1986.

27 Norton 1994, 162.

28 Hall 1989.

29 A Cameron pers comm.

30 Aliaga-Kelly and Proudfoot 1995.

31 Norton 1986, 254.

32 Ibid.

33 Franklin 2009.

34 Norton 1994, 145.

35 Aliaga-Kelly and Proudfoot 1995.

36 Norton 1994, 150.

37 Betts 2002.

38 Ibid, 25.

39 Ibid, 26.

40 Keen 1976, fig f.

41 Norton 1994, 162.

42 Wight 1975, 123.

43 Eg Eames 1980, design 1654.

44 Eg Betts 2002, designs W38–42.

45 Stopford 2005, fig 18·2, nos 50–51.

46 Wilmott 2002, 29.

47 Norton 1994, 151.

48 Ibid, 152.