Gregoir of Dunkeld facts for kids

Gregoir, Bishop of Dunkeld (died 1169) was an important church leader in Scotland during the middle of the 12th century. He served as the Bishop of Dunkeld, which was a very significant religious position at the time.

Who Was Bishop Gregoir?

Before becoming a bishop, Gregoir was the abbot of Dunkeld. An abbot is the head of a monastery, a place where monks live and work. This means he was already a respected religious figure.

Gregoir's Appointment as Bishop

Gregoir was chosen to be the Bishop of Dunkeld by King David I. King David was a powerful ruler who wanted to bring changes to the church in Scotland. He trusted Gregoir with important tasks.

What Did a Bishop Do?

A bishop was like a leader for a large area of churches, called a diocese. They were responsible for guiding priests and managing church lands and activities. It was a very influential role in medieval society.

Gregoir's Special Mission

King David I gave Bishop Gregoir a special job. He was asked to look after certain lands, including the island of St. Colme's Inch, a place called “Kincarnathar,” and Donibristle. Gregoir was to hold these lands until a group of canons could be established on Inchcolm. Canons were a type of clergy, like priests, who lived together under specific rules. Gregoir successfully completed this mission before he died in 1169.

Where Do We Know About Gregoir?

We know about Bishop Gregoir from many old documents called charters. These were official papers or agreements from the time. He is mentioned in charters from the reigns of King David I and his grandson, King Máel Coluim IV.

The Book of Deer Connection

One of the earliest clear mentions of Gregoir is from 1146. He appears in a famous old book called the Book of Deer. This book contains some of the oldest examples of the Gaelic language written in Scotland. In the Book of Deer, Gregoir is mentioned alongside another bishop, Andreas of Caithness.

The End of an Era

Bishop Gregoir's death in 1169 was a significant moment for the church in Scotland. While he wasn't the very last bishop from a Gaelic-speaking background in his diocese, his death marked the end of a time when most bishops in Dunkeld primarily spoke Gaelic. This shows a shift in the cultural and linguistic influences within the Scottish church.