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Abbot of Paisley facts for kids

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The Abbot of Paisley was the main leader of a special group of monks called the Cluniacs. These monks lived and worked at Paisley Abbey, a very old and important building in Scotland. Before it became a big abbey, it started as a smaller place called a priory. The leader of a priory was known as a Prior.

The monastery first began in Renfrew in 1163. A few years later, in 1169, it moved to Paisley. It grew bigger and became a full abbey in 1219. The person who started it all was Walter fitz Alan, who was a powerful official known as the Steward of Scotland. The time when abbots led Paisley Abbey ended around 1587 or 1592. At that point, it changed from a religious place to a regular land ownership for Lord Claud Hamilton.

What is an Abbot?

An abbot was the head of a monastery, which is a community where monks live and pray. Monks are men who dedicate their lives to religious service. A priory is usually a smaller monastery, and its leader is called a prior. When a priory grew larger and more important, it could become an abbey, and its leader would then be an abbot. These leaders were very important figures in their time, managing the monastery's lands, wealth, and the lives of the monks.

Paisley Abbey's Story

Paisley Abbey has a long and interesting history. It was founded by Walter fitz Alan, the Steward of Scotland, in 1163. The Steward was a very important official, like a chief manager for the king's household and lands. The abbey was home to Cluniac monks. The Cluniacs were a special group of monks known for following strict rules and focusing on prayer and learning. They were part of a larger movement to reform monasteries across Europe.

The abbey started small, but it grew in size and importance over the years. It became a significant center for religion and learning in Scotland. The leaders of the abbey, first the priors and then the abbots, played a big role in the local area and even in Scottish history. However, like many religious places in Scotland, Paisley Abbey changed during the 16th century. It stopped being a monastery led by an abbot and became a secular lordship, meaning it was owned by a noble family instead of the church.

Leaders of Paisley Abbey

Over the centuries, many different individuals led the community at Paisley Abbey. They guided the monks and managed the abbey's affairs. Here is a list of the priors, abbots, and later, the commendators who were in charge of Paisley Abbey.

List of Priors

  •  ???, 1163 x 1165
  • Osbert, 1173-1180x1192
  • Roger, 1195 x 1196 -1208 x 1214

List of Abbots

  •  ???, 1220
  • William, 1225/6 -1238, 1248?
  • Stephen, 1272–1285
  • Walter, 1296
  • A[ ? ], 1301
  • Roger, 1318–1325
  • John, 1327
  • James, 1349
  • John, 1362–1370
  • John de Lithgow I, 1384-1408 x 1412
  • Alan de Govan, 1412
  • John de Lychcar, 1412
  • William de Cheshelme, 1414
  • Roland, 1414-1415
  • John de Lithgow II (?Lychcar), 1415-1431 x 1432
  • Thomas Morrow, 1418–1444
  • Richard Bothwell, 1444–1445
  • Thomas de Tarveis, 1445–1459
  • Henry Crichton, 1459–1471
  • Patrick Graham, 1466–1471
  • George Shaw, 1471–1499
  • Robert Shaw, 1498–1525

List of Commendators

After the time of the abbots, the abbey was managed by people called commendators. They were often not monks themselves but were appointed to oversee the abbey's property and income.

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