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while hunting on a misty day. Suddenly a land) took control of the Abbey church for
white stag came galloping toward him, use as the Chapel of the Order of the This‐
frightening his horse, who tossed him to the tle, offering to build another one in its
ground. Fearing being gored, King David I place. That nearby building, now where this
must have said the right kind of prayer, be‐ present Protestant (Church of Scotland, or
cause a vision of the Holy Cross (or Rood) Presbyterian) church is located, was com‐
miracuously appeared between the stag's pleted in 1690, costing 1,900 pounds, paid
antlers, stopping the stag in his tracks. The from funds previously donated by a
stag turned and ran off, much to the king's wealthy merchant, Thomas Moodie, whose
relief. coat-of-arms is prominently displayed
Later, giving thanks, the king founded above the church entrance.
the Abbey in 1128 in honor of the Holy “Canongate Kirk is one of the simplest
Cross, the Virgin and all Saints. buildings in Edinburgh,” noted the Reverend
The ruins of this original Abbey of the Charles Robertson, former Chaplain to Her
Holy Rood can be seen behind the Palace Majesty The Queen in Scotland, and Minis‐
of Holyroodhouse. Many of Scotland's sov‐ ter at Canongate between 1978 and 2006.
ereigns were baptized, married, crowned “When they come in people are some‐
and buried there; Charles I was the last times disappointed as a first reaction be‐
king to be crowned in 1633. In 1688 Roman cause there is nothing very grand or
Catholic King James VII (James II of Eng‐ elaborate about the place. It is, however, a
Edinburgh Castle. Opposite: King
David and his white stag.
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