The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-20
ST. GILES, ARM-RoNE.
Tho Curious viossitudos of FAMOUS 10.
ngious Rollc.


a Tho Curious vIoissltudos of n FAMOUS Ho-
ligious Rollc.
Whilo ono OF tho work mon engaged In
tho construction of tho ladies vestry on
4 inc cast side of the north transops OF st.
Giles Cathedral. Edinburgh was ON
ployod in tho work of domolishing part
OF tho roof of an existing apartment, he
found human bono lying ON the top OF
che lath and plaster ceiling. No other
Vesugo OF human remains woro soon ON
or noar the spot, and tho circumstance
was vowed with a considerable amount
OF curiosity by tho workmen. Closer OK
animation showed tina. the find was tho
upper right arm-bono of an adult 1t was
handed over to the managers of tho
church. in whose custody IL is now. It
Is oonjoctured that it may 10 tho arm
bono OF st. Giles, which was gifted to
the church by pious Roman Catholic
many centuries ago, and which won't
missing after tho reformation.
Dr Cameron Leos, in his book OH St
Giles, says that an arm-bono of tho
patron saint was long tho cherished pos
session Of tho Church OF Edinburgh. In
another portion OF his book Dr. Loes OK
plains that William Preston of Gortoun,
afterward changed to Cgaigmillar, in
tho parish of Liborton, appears to havo
gone to France, and with tho aid of
King Charles VII. and othors, TO havo
obtained precious relic-the arm-bono
OF St Gilos. Returning TO Scotland,
he soon aftorward diod, boquoathing
the relic to the Church of Edin-
burgh, and was buriod in tho Lady
chapel Of st. Giles. Tho gift Of Preston
was received with all honors by tho
clty. 1t was inclosod in richly chased
shrino OF gold, and diamond ring was
placed upon one OF its bony fingers, and in
tho subsequent history Of tho church
wo hear much of this, its most precious
possession. In gratitude for tho bouuost
OF Preston, tho town council Obliged
themselves to his son to build that
aisle to his memory which still boars
his namo, and on which his arms arc still
yoEto BIO seen engraved. Tho deod OF obli-
CATION narrates that tho council undor-
took to appoint n chaplain to sing for
tho donor. When the reformation camo
tho destruction of images and ornaments
pertaining to the ROmanCatholic worship
made She town council alarmed for tho
saioty or tho many valuable articles in
ot. Gll0s', and they distributed Thorn for
salo kcoplng among trusted inha bitants
OF tho town. After tho establishment
OF the reformed religion tho authorities
ordained all tho Investments and luther
kirk grayth" to DO sold for tho purpose
OIL dofraying tho cost Of certain altora-
lions In tho church, and tho custodians
OF tho treasures wcro called upon to ron
der Thorn up to council. Among tho
valuablcs given was "a littlo ring and
diamond that was in tho arm bono of tho
saint. 1t is recorded that "tho diamond
Stone which was on tho flngor OF St.
Giles arm was sold to Michael Gilbert
Tor pounds shillings ponce" DR..
Lees states that in tho account OF tho
final sale there was no montion of tho
precious rolic of tho church, tho arm
bono OF tho saint. Tho case that con-
tanned it was sold with the other prop
orty, but what became of tho rolic itself
thero was 10 means of ascertaininr.-