Abbot of Kelso facts for kids

The Abbot of Kelso was the leader of a group of monks called Tironensian at Kelso Abbey in the Scottish Borders. These monks lived together and dedicated their lives to prayer and work.

The first leader was called the Abbot of Selkirk. This was because the monastery started in 1113 in Selkirk. It was founded by David, who was then the Prince of the Cumbrians. Later, in 1127, King David and John, the bishop of Glasgow, moved the monastery to Kelso. That's when the leader became known as the Abbot of Kelso.

In 1165, the Abbot of Kelso was the first in Scotland to be allowed to wear a special hat called a mitre. This showed his important role. Over time, in the 1500s, the monastery started to be controlled more by non-religious people. By 1607, it became a regular land ownership, called a secular lordship. Its last leader, Robert Ker of Cesford, became the first Earl of Roxburghe.

Understanding Abbots and Commendators

Monasteries like Kelso Abbey were important places. They were centers of learning and prayer. An abbot was the spiritual head of the monastery. He was chosen by the monks and was responsible for their daily lives and the monastery's rules.

Later, the role changed to a "commendator." This meant someone, often a non-monk, was put in charge of the monastery's lands and money. They didn't necessarily live there or follow the monastic rules. This change happened as monasteries became less about religious life and more about wealth and power.

Who Were the Abbots of Selkirk?

Before the monastery moved to Kelso, these were the leaders when it was still in Selkirk:

• Radulf, from 1113 to around 1116 or 1117
• William, from 1118 to 1119
• Herbert, from 1119 to 1127

Who Were the Abbots of Kelso?

After the monastery moved to Kelso, these were the abbots who led the community:

• Herbert, from 1127 to 1147. He was the same Herbert who was the last abbot of Selkirk. He later became the bishop of Glasgow.
• Ernald, from 1147 to 1160. He later became the bishop of St Andrews.
• John, from 1160 to 1180
• Osbert, from 1180 to 1203. He was previously the leader of a smaller monastery called Lesmahagow, which was connected to Kelso.
• Geoffrey, 1203
• Richard de Cane (or Cave ?), from 1206 to 1208
• Henry, from 1208 to 1218
• Richard, from 1218 to 1221
• Herbert Maunsel, from 1221 to 1239
• Hugh, from 1236 to 1248
• Robert de Smalhame, from 1248 to 1258
• Patrick, from 1258 to 1260
• Henry de Lambden, from 1260 to 1275
• J[ ], 1281
• Richard, from 1285 to 1299
• Thomas de Durham, from 1299 to around 1307. He was chosen by the English king. He later became the leader of Lesmahagow.
• Waleran, from 1307 to 1311
• William de Alyncrome, from 1317 to 1326
• William de Dalgarnock, from 1329 to 1342
• Roger, from 1351 to 1353
• William, from 1353 to 1354
• William de Bolden, from 1367 to 1372
• Patrick, from 1392 to 1411(?)
• William de Kelso, from 1411 to 1426
• William, from 1435 to 1447
• Richard Robson (or Roberts), from 1456 to 1464
• George Bois (or Boy), 1460
• William Bonkil (or Bonde), 1462
• Alan de Camera (or Kuk, Cook), from 1464 to 1466
• Richard Robson, from 1466 to 1468
• Richard Wylie, 1467
• Robert Ker, from 1468 to 1506
• Richard Wylie (again), from 1469 to 1473. He tried to stop Robert Ker from being chosen but later gave up his claim. He had been the leader of Lesmahagow since 1469.
• George, 1476

Who Were the Commendators of Kelso?

These are the commendators who managed Kelso Abbey's affairs as it came under more secular control:

• Andrew Forman, 1511. He held many important church roles at the same time, including bishop of Moray and commendator of several other monasteries.
• Andrew Stewart, from 1511 to 1517. He was also the Bishop of Caithness.
• Thomas Ker (or Car), from 1513 to 1534
• James Stewart, from 1534 to 1557. He was the son of King James V of Scotland. He was also the commendator of Melrose Abbey.
• Louis de Guise, from 1558 to 1559. He also became commendator of Melrose after James Stewart.
• William Ker I, from 1559 to 1566
• John Maitland of Thirlstane, 1567. He later exchanged his role at Kelso for another position.
• Francis Stewart (I) the elder, from 1567 to 1592
• Francis Stewart (II) the younger, 1588
• William Ker II, 1588
• Robert Ker of Cesford, 1592