Quest is on to find lost tomb of Scotland’s ‘law maker’ king

Archaeologists have launched a bid to find the last resting place of James I of Scotland – 580 years to the day after his brutal assassination.

An elaborate tomb for the king is known to be housed somewhere in Perth’s Charterhouse monastery but the exact location is no longer recorded.

Now academics have joined forces with Perth’s archaeology, heritage and cultural bodies to locate and virtually recreate the lost tombs and buildings from one of the bloodier chapters of Scottish history.

Project lead Professor Richard Oram, dean of arts and humanities at Stirling University, told The Courier: “Perth’s Charterhouse was unique in Scotland. Medieval descriptions speak of the magnificence of the church, but nothing of it remains above ground to be seen today – the whole monastery was plundered and demolished at the Reformation.”

To some James I was the “law maker” king who attempted, somewhat selectively, to introduce law and order to Scotland – a course of action bitterly resented by powerful nobles who eventually arranged his murder sewer below the Blackfriars monastery.

Professor Oram added: “We aim to locate the Charterhouse buildings and recover as much of their plan as possible to allow us to ‘build’ a virtual reconstruction of the complex and restore the jewel in the crown of the city’s lost medieval heritage. Unearthing this almost forgotten building will transform understanding of Perth’s place in James I’s ambitions – locating the royal tombs within the church would be the icing on the cake.”

A search of archives and the use of ground-penetrating radar will be followed by archaeological test pit digs.

The public will have a chance to learn more about the project on Saturday when a digital presentation is given at Perth Museum and Gallery from 10am to noon.

A walking tour of the city from 12.30 to 2pm will help the understanding of King James I’s dreams to make Perth the capital of Scotland and how these were violently ended on February 21 1437.