Possible site of Maison Dieu
Welltrees
In the west of Maybole there were plenty of springs. The Welltrees Spout was the water source for the "Maison Dieu" and other nearby properties. Great importance was placed on it being kept clean. In the 19th century, an ornamental wall was built around it with the words "Ye neir ken the worth o' water till the well gangs dry" inscribed to remind the townsfolk to take care of their water supply. The inscription no longer exists. The name of the well was derived from a grove of ash trees which stood around it.
Maison de Dieu
Because of its springs and consistent water supply, Maybole was established and the town thrived. Its earliest function was as a place of worship, and if you look at the map of Maybole, you’ll notice many references to ‘Lady’ from the Virgin Mary. The possible site of the Maison de Dieu (House of God) is in one of the historic parts of the town. This area marks the site of a hospital or residence for pilgrims, most likely travelling to the Collegiate Church (the ‘Auld College’) and Crossraguel Abbey, located west of Maybole. These are situated on the Pilgrimage route from Paisley to Whithorn. There is a reference in 1577 to Masondew (Maison de Dieu, meaning House of God), a hospital connected to the church. Could this be a stop for weary pilgrims?
Medieval Maybole was potentially of massive historical significance. Crossraguel Abbey would have contained all of the Earl of Carrick’s religious possessions as they were transferred from Paisley Abbey after being founded in 1224. The Cluniac monks, the monastic order in Crossraguel, originated from Burgundy in France. The order dedicated their time to copying manuscripts, a painfully delicate task. Books and manuscripts were prized by royalty and the church, as before the invention of the printing press they could take years to produce. Pilgrims would have travelled far and wide to see or copy the manuscripts produced by Cluniac monks.
In the west of Maybole there were plenty of springs. The Welltrees Spout was the water source for the "Maison Dieu" and other nearby properties. Great importance was placed on it being kept clean. In the 19th century, an ornamental wall was built around it with the words "Ye neir ken the worth o' water till the well gangs dry" inscribed to remind the townsfolk to take care of their water supply. The inscription no longer exists. The name of the well was derived from a grove of ash trees which stood around it.
Maison de Dieu
Because of its springs and consistent water supply, Maybole was established and the town thrived. Its earliest function was as a place of worship, and if you look at the map of Maybole, you’ll notice many references to ‘Lady’ from the Virgin Mary. The possible site of the Maison de Dieu (House of God) is in one of the historic parts of the town. This area marks the site of a hospital or residence for pilgrims, most likely travelling to the Collegiate Church (the ‘Auld College’) and Crossraguel Abbey, located west of Maybole. These are situated on the Pilgrimage route from Paisley to Whithorn. There is a reference in 1577 to Masondew (Maison de Dieu, meaning House of God), a hospital connected to the church. Could this be a stop for weary pilgrims?
Medieval Maybole was potentially of massive historical significance. Crossraguel Abbey would have contained all of the Earl of Carrick’s religious possessions as they were transferred from Paisley Abbey after being founded in 1224. The Cluniac monks, the monastic order in Crossraguel, originated from Burgundy in France. The order dedicated their time to copying manuscripts, a painfully delicate task. Books and manuscripts were prized by royalty and the church, as before the invention of the printing press they could take years to produce. Pilgrims would have travelled far and wide to see or copy the manuscripts produced by Cluniac monks.