THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER,

And Administration of The Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the use of the United Church of England and Ireland; Together with The Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be sung in Churches; and the form and manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Printed by G. E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode, Printers to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, London.

Unusually bound with both front and rear boards being warranted oak taken from the Foundations of Cambuskenneth Abbey, the last resting place of James III, who fell at the Battle of Sauchieburn 1488.

Cambuskenneth Abbey was founded by order of David I around the year 1140. It is a daughter house of the French Arrouaise Order, the only one to exist in Scotland. The Arrouaise also ran other abbeys and churches in land owned by David I in England. The Arrouaise were a distinct order at the time of the Abbey's construction to the Augustinians but the two orders would later merge.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was initially known as the Abbey of St Mary of Stirling and sometimes simply as Stirling Abbey. In 1147 Pope Eugene III declared the Abbey had his protection through a papal bull, a status confirmed by both Pope Alexander III in 1164 and Pope Celestine III in 1195. The abbey becomes known as Cambuskenneth rather than Stirling from around 1207 as shown by papal bulls of the time.

Cambuskenneth was one of the more important abbeys in Scotland, due in part to its proximity to the Royal Burgh of Stirling, a leading urban centre of the country and sometime capital. The establishment of abbeys in Scotland, including Cambuskenneth, under David I provided a new influence in Scottish public life by providing sources of literate individuals for the royal court and administrative duties.

In 1486 Margaret of Denmark died at Stirling Castle and was buried at the abbey. In 1488 her husband, James III was killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn and his body was brought to Cambuskenneth Abbey for burial. His tomb was finished in 1502 and painted by David Pratt. Following the dismantling of the bulk of the abbey the tomb was damaged and it was restored in 1865, funded by Queen Victoria.

The Form of Prayer at the rear of the contents is dated 17th January, 1859. Around the time the Cambuskenneth Abbey tomb of King James III was restored by Queen Victoria.

Cambuskenneth Abbey also has an interesting story regarding the Scottish Legend William Wallace. Following Wallace's execution and dismemberment, one quarter of his mutilated body was displayed on the repaired and rebuilt Stirling Bridge. No doubt this was thought by the English overlords to be a fitting place to show off their grim trophy. Wallace had links through his uncle to the monks at Cambuskenneth. At that time, the church was far more militant than nowadays, and many church leaders (and no doubt their subordinates) were fiercely loyal to Scotland and the cause of freedom. The legend states that a group of these monks issued from the Abbey one dark night and retrieved the remains of Wallace's body, with the intention of giving it a Christian burial inside the grounds of the Abbey itself, and this they did, telling no-one outside the Abbey of their actions, which would have brought fatal recriminations upon the Abbey. Longshanks was well known to be no respecter of the Scottish Church.

Cambuskenneth Abbey is, sadly, mostly ruined now, and apart from the main tower little remains bar foundations and low (ground level) walls. Local tradition however still marks the spot where it is said that Wallace's remains were interred by the loyal monks. Walk past the tower to your left, and then east along the inches-high wall, itself running almost due east. A little way along, just to your right (the south of the wall) is a small stone embedded in the ground, perpendicular to the remains of the wall. It's about 18 inches long and maybe six inches wide, orientated roughly north to south. At the southern end, faintly discernible although badly eroded, can still be made out the initials "WW" in antique script.

Stand at the southern end of the stone and look north along it. What do you see? The stone points straight towards the Abbey Craigs, the scene of Wallace's greatest triumph. The massive rock on which he and De Moray stood to direct the course of the battle with their horns and trumpeters. Whether it be true or just a legend it is fascinating nevertheless.

The book measures just 6cm x 10cm.

Please look at all the photos for the best understanding of condition and contents.

There are signs of age, use, and wear. The wooden boards show surface wear, mainly some spots of loss of the protective lacquer coating. The boards also have some chipping and small loss at the corners. Gilded text on the lower front board describes the origin of the wood, a little faded but legible. Boards are joined with a brass clasp, worn with aged patina but remains functional. Red leather spine has surface wear and fading. Inner hinges are weakening slightly, some splitting developed between paste downs and end pages. Pages have yellowed with age, but contents remain legible and complete, minor foxing throughout. Page edges are gold gilded with a criss-cross gauffered design. Gilding faded and worn with age/use.

Overall the book remains in acceptable reading condition, care should be taken when handling.

A rare and fascinating item, we have been unable to locate any other examples.