It is almost 900 years since David I founded the great medieval monastery of Holyrood. Since then, the site has been home to powerful abbots and great monarchs, a house of prayer and a symbol of royal magnificence.   Thanks to the rich archaeologiccal potential of the site, the work has provided new insight into the evolution of the palace and gardens reflecting the changing demands of court life and etiquette. The various stages of the work have allowed a more detailed analysis of the development of the palace under successive monarchs to the present day.