Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Coquille Saint Jacques

Haddington was the fourth largest town in Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and the first chartered Royal Burgh. There is record of the church here in a charter of David I of Scotland dated 1139, giving the monks of St Andrews Cathedral Priory the benefits of its revenues. In the late 12th century the great Abbey of Haddington was founded by Ada de Warenne, Countess of Northumbria, for a community of Cistercian Nuns. In addition to the Cistercians and the Franciscans, there was a house of the Dominican Order. In recognition of Haddington's strategic importance, it was burnt twice in the 13th century by the English. In 1356, Edward III of England. Edward spent ten days at Haddington, where he sacked the town, and destroyed most of the buildings. John Knox trained as a priest in St Mary's but never held the parish. Instead, he became a notary. Knox then became a guide to George Wishart as he travelled in the Lothians. In 1547, Wishart preached at two services in St Mary's with Knox standing guard, below the pulpit bearing a two handed sword. Building work on the current church was started in 1380, and further building and rebuilding has taken place up to the present day. It is the longest church in Scotland, at 62.8 metres from east to west, and is in the early Gothic style. A "Coquille Saint Jacques", symbol of the pilgroame to Santiago de Compostella, carved into a pillar at the nave.

For more than 10 years I have walked the "chemins" in France, in Spain and in Portugal. When I saw the "Coquille Saint Jacques", I knew, that I was welcome.

Parts of the Romanesque church date to the early 12th century. It was built by the monks of Monastier sue Gazeille, who had priory here. The crucifix next to the church was erected within the 16th century. It is about 5 meters high. A pilgrim with the typical clothing and the walking stick is placed next to the cross. There is even a tiny "Coquille Saint Jacques" on the pilgrim´s hat so he is for sure on his way to Santiago (or back home).