Ruins and Records

Wed, Jul 20th 2022 at 12:50 pm - 2:00 pm

Bess Rhodes has digitally reconstructed Late Mediaeval St Andrews

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Bringing the history of St Andrews tDr Bess Rhodes of the University of St. Andrews was the speaker at the most recent meeting of the club. Whilst unable to attend the meeting in person, Dr Rhodes addressed members through the facility of Zoom. The topic of her presentation, entitled “Ruins and Records”, was her involvement in the work to produce digital reconstructions of Medieval St Andrews based on maps and extensive documentation held by both the University and National organisations in Scotland. Using the documentation available, the initial digital reconstruction project looked at the Cathedral followed by exercises to reconstruct Holy Trinity Church, St. Salvators Chapel, the toll booth which was located in Market Square, and, subsequently, a reconstruction of a more extensive section of Market Street from the former Merket Cross. Using information from the Geddy Map and subsequent similar maps, plus the written text and sketches from available historical documents which gave an insight to the construction of these various sections of the medieval town, digital representations have been developed which required an element of guesswork and imagination to produce the resultant images of the town in the medieval period. Dr Rhodes‘ presentation provided members with an insight into the town of the medieval period, much of which is still recognisable today. The presentation was warmly received by members, many of whom would appreciate a future opportunity to meet with Dr Rhodes in person to raise questions on the work involved in the compilation of these excellent digital representations.

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