Abbot of Soulseat facts for kids

The Abbot of Soulseat was the leader of a special group of monks called the Premonstratensians at Soulseat Abbey in Galloway, Scotland. Before them, the abbey was home to another group of monks known as the Cistercians. An abbot is like the head teacher or principal of a monastery, guiding the monks in their daily lives and spiritual journey.

Who Were the Abbots of Soulseat?

The abbots were important figures who managed the abbey and its lands. They were responsible for the monks, their rules, and the abbey's activities.

Early Cistercian Abbots

Soulseat Abbey was first home to Cistercian monks. We only know one abbot from this early period:

• Michael of Bangor, around 1148

The Premonstratensian Leaders

Later, the abbey became home to the Premonstratensian order. These monks followed a slightly different set of rules. For a long time, we don't know the names of the abbots, but here are some of the known ones:

• Michael of Bangor (likely the same person, continuing his role)
• John, in 1273
• Many years passed with no known abbot
• Fionnlagh (also known as Finlay), from 1386 to 1393
• Patrick McChaquhirky, from 1452 to 1458
• Gilbert MacUlnan (or MacWilnane), from 1458, possibly until 1486
• Patrick MacCulloch, in 1486
• Quentin Vaus, from 1493 to 1527
• David Vaus, from 1525 to 1532

What is a Commendator?

Sometimes, the person in charge of an abbey wasn't a monk. This person was called a commendator. They were often appointed by the king or a powerful family to manage the abbey's property and income, even if they weren't living there as a monk.

List of Commendators

Here are the people who served as commendators of Soulseat Abbey:

• James Johnstone, from 1532 to 1545 or 1546
• John Johnstone I, from 1545 to 1567
  • James Kennedy tried to take this role in 1548 and 1555, but John Johnstone I remained in charge.
• John Johnstone II, from 1584 to 1598
• John Kennedy, in 1598
• John Johnstone III, in 1599
• William Adair, in 1601
• John Hamilton, from 1612 to 1630