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Site of a manse. The manses surrounding the Cathedral were all named for different areas in the diocese of Aberdeen. The different areas provided the prebend, or payment, for the canons who worked in St Machar's Cathedral. The location of the manses of the canons of the cathedral gave the name to this part of Old Aberdeen, the Canonry or Chanonry. This manse was the lodging of the precentor of St. Machar's who was responsible for music at the Cathedral and head of the sang (song) school. The location of the manse was therefore convenient as it lay directly across from the entrance to the cathedral and churchyard, between the manse of Kirkton of Seaton (Dean's) to the east and the manse of Birse (Chancellor's) on the west, with Don Street to the south. Many of the manses in the Chanonry were built in the later medieval period, however, no documentary evidence for this manse has been found to suggest a foundation in this period. However, if many of the Chanonry manses were established in 14th or 15th century, then Auchterless may have been built at this time to accommodate the precentor. Sometime in the 15th century there were complaints that the manses were run-down and boundary walls needed to be repaired. The canons who resided in the manses were instructed to fix the walls or be penalised (Morgan, Old Aberdeen, 36). The household items in the medieval manses were to be handed down by each canon to his successor and may have included simple bed linen, kitchen utensils, and necessary furniture for the public room and items needed for the brewing of ale. Very little details survive regarding the later owners of this manse but in August 1581 the manse was described as ruinous, with a garden and mansion when it was given by Archibald Bethone, rector of Auchterless, to Thomas Gardin (of Blairtoun) and his wife, Elizabeth Stewart. It is unclear when the older manse was taken down and when the present Castleton House was built - see NJ90NW0607.
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Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Aberdeen City
HER -
NJ90NW0203 - AUCHTERLESS MANSE, 15 CHANONRY, OLD ABERDEEN