St Germains
Country House (18th Century), Hospital (Medieval)
Site Name St Germains
Classification Country House (18th Century), Hospital (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) St Germains Estate; St Germains House; St Germains Hospital
Canmore ID 54985
Site Number NT47SW 1
NGR NT 42662 74740
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/54985
- Council East Lothian
- Parish Tranent
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District East Lothian
- Former County East Lothian
NT47SW 1.00 42662 74740
NT47SW 1.01 42622 74729 Coach House
NT47SW 1.02 42647 74720 Stables and Granary (The Cottage)
NT47SW 1.03 42627 74570 Dovecot
NT47SW 1.04 4244 7498 West Lodge
NT47SW 1.05 42494 74991 St Germains Lodge (The East Lodge)
(NT 42670 74741) St Germains (NAT)
on site of (NAT)
Hospital of St Germains (NR)
(Bethlehemite) (NAT)
OS 1:10000 map (1978)
The seven-bay N front of St Germains was built in the late 18th century, as an addition to the earlier 18th century house which can still be seen behind it. A further addition was made about 1820. The house was subdivided internally about 1950.
Local informants in 1853 stated that this house occupies the site of the hospital of St Germains, the only Scottish foundation of the Bethlehemite order. Its foundation can confidently be assigned to the period 1170 x 1180 - possibly by Robert de Quinci about 1170. A papal bull of 1495/6, which describes the hospital except the chapel as ruinous, grants its revenues to the newly erected University of Old Aberdeen (later King's College - NJ90NW 7). The chaplain or preceptor of the chapel of St Germains is mentioned in 1577.
The hospital has been described as belonging to the Knights Templar, but this is incorrect.
C McWilliam 1978; Name Book 1853; I B Cowan and D E Easson 1976.
Photographic Survey (1873)
Interior and exterior views of St Germains House and estate, East Lothian, photographed in 1873.
Field Visit (1997 - 2001)
Derek Hall managed an Historic Scotland funded project to record medieval hospital sites in Scotland. Gazetteers were produced for each regional council area between 1997 and 2001 with an overall review in 2001.
