Elgin's first charter that was on record was made in 1151 by King David. During this time he gave the Priory of Urquhart an annuity. After he was defeated by Oengus of Moray King David I made the area a royal town. During his reign was when the castle was built on the top of what is now Lady Hill. Royal charter was granted in 1224 by Alexander II. He set aside land for the building of a cathedral for the Bishop of Moray.
Alexander II received to most benefits from the town out of all other reigning kings because he spent the most time there in his castle. He was the one who decided to establish two religious houses in Elgin. On the west side the Dominic and on the east side the Greyfriars. Even more to east the Hospital of Maison Dieu was also built during his rein to help give the poor residents medical care.
On July 19, 1224 the first stone for the foundation of the Elgin Cathedral was laid with a great ceremony. The cathedral was not done being built until just after 1242. In 1270 the cathedral was completely demolished by fire but no one has record of what started it. There are ruins that still remain of what was rebuilt after the fire. It was said to have been one of the most glorious cathedral in all of England before the fire.
Edward I only came to Elgin two times. In 1296 was the first time and he was greatly impressed with the town. He made a journal of his visit that was in the Cotton Library and has since been moved to the British Library. He visited again in 1303 but was forced to stay elsewhere because the castles interior had been set on fire while in the care of Henry de Rye, an English governor.
In March of 1746 Prince Charles Edward Stuart came to Elgin from Inverness.
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