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CANONGATE - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868
[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer
"CANONGATE, a parish and suburb of the city of Edinburgh, in the county of Edinburgh, Scotland, comprising within its limits the eastern part of the Old Town. Being a vassalage to Edinburgh, it is governed by a baron baillie and two resident magistrates, who are chosen annually by the town council of that city. Their jurisdiction extends beyond the bounds of the parish, to the E. side of "The Pleasants", and to the town of North Leith; they are ex-officio justices of peace in the county of Mid-Lothian. There is a foundation grammar school, under the patronage of the magistrates and kirk session.
While Edinburgh was the seat of royalty, the Canongate was the place of residence of the noble families who attended the court, and there are several old houses which retain the names of the noble owners; but it is now chiefly inhabited by the small trades people. On the place where the Canongate is at present situated anciently stood the town of Herbergare, at the eastern end of which David I., in 1128, founded the Abbey of Holyrood House, at which time the old name of Herbergare was changed for the present appellation of Canongate, so called from the houses of the canons."
[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]
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