a burgh of barony of Scotland, Roxburghshire, on the Tweed, near the N. foot of the Eildon Hills, 36 miles S. of Edinburgh, and 12 N.W. of Jedburgh. The town probably derives its name from Moel or Mull-roas, a point or headland in the river; and the site was occupied by a Culdee house founded in 685. This was superseded by the Cistercian abbey, begun by David I. in 1136, and completed in 1146. This building having been destroyed by the English under Edward II. in 1322, was rebuilt by Bruce four years afterwards; and the heart of that monarch, after having been carried to Spain by Douglas, was, on the death of that earl brought home and buried beneath the high altar. The abbey was completed by James IV.; but was again destroyed by the English in 1545. Although this fine building suffered considerably from the hands of the Reformers, the main cause of its present ruinous condition must be traced to the hostile incursions of the English, and to the carelessness and depredations of later times, when the stones were frequently carried off and employed in building other edifices. The church was laid out in the form of a cross, of which the length of the nave and choir was 258 feet, and the breadth 79; the length of the transept 130 feet, and the breadth 44. The building was surmounted by a tower, part of which is still standing along with the walls of the nave, choir, and transept. The rest of the abbey, however, has been destroyed, except a portion of the walls of the cloisters. Its architecture is not reducible to any of Rickman's styles of English Gothic. It more nearly approaches to continental structures, especially Strasburg cathedral; and the whole building is profusely ornamented with rich and exquisite carved work. Some of the piers are crowned with foliage, so delicately chiselled, that a straw may be thrust in between the various stalks and leaves. The window and door in the south transept are considered the most perfect parts of the building, and are very richly decorated. The eastern window is also much admired for the symmetry of its form and the richness and delicacy of its ornaments. Its dimensions are 36 feet in height by 16 in breadth. The grave of Alexander II. is pointed out here, as lying under a marble slab not far from the high altar; and many others, noblemen and priests, are buried in the abbey, including several of the Douglas family. A beautiful description of Melrose is given by Sir Walter Scott in the Lay of the Last Minstrel. Pop. (1851) of town, 966.