Archdeacon of the Isles facts for kids

The Archdeacon of the Isles (also called Archdeacon of Sodor) was an important church official. They worked in the diocese of the Isles, which was an area managed by a Bishop of the Isles. The Archdeacon was like a helper or assistant to the Bishop.

This role was the only archdeacon position in that diocese. We don't know much about the specific payments or lands (called prebends) that came with the job later in the Middle Ages. However, before the diocese of Man separated during a time of church division called the Western Schism, the archdeacons received income from a church called Kirk Andreas.

The job seemed to stop being used after 1592, when Alasdair Caimbeul was given the position. But it was brought back in 1662.

What was an Archdeacon of the Isles?

An Archdeacon was a senior church leader. They helped the Bishop manage the churches and clergy in a specific area, known as a diocese. The Archdeacon of the Isles helped the Bishop of the Isles look after the churches in the islands. This was a very important job in the church back then.

A Look at the Archdeacons Over Time

Many people held the title of Archdeacon of Man or Archdeacon of the Isles over the centuries. Here are some of the individuals who served in these roles:

Archdeacons of Man

• Diarmait (Dermicius), active between 1180 and 1219
• Lawrence, served from 1246 to 1248
• Domhnall (Dompnald), active between 1253 and 1265
• Makaboy (Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe?), active in 1270
• A [_], active in 1302
• Cormac, active in 1320
• John Dempster, active in 1349
• Nigel Mauricii, died in 1372

Archdeacons of the Isles

• Beoan [mac Eoin] Mac Cholgain (Bean Johannis Macuilquen), served from 1372 to 1390/97
• Niall Mac Iomhair, served from 1390 to 1408
• Crisdean Mac Domhnaill Elich, active in 1408
• Gille-Brighde Mac Dughaill, died before 1416
• John de Carrick (Eoin a Charraig), appointed in 1416
• Eachann MacGill-Eain, served from 1416 to 1441
• Andrew of Dunoon, served from 1441 to 1456/57
• Niall Mac Cormaig, appointed in 1455
• Aonghas of the Isles, appointed in 1456
• Gilbert Smerles, served from 1457 to 1460
• James Borthwick, appointed in 1457
• Donnchadh [_], active in 1462
• Crisdean mac Gille-Brighde (Bricii), active from 1463 to 1469
• Gilbert Wright, active in 1472
• Niall mac Gille-Brighde (MacIlvride, MacYlwryd, Makkikbreid), active from 1476 to 1479
• Thomas Clerk (Tomas Cleireach), active in 1500
• Thomas Fleming, died in 1516
• Richard Lawson, served from 1516 to 1541/44
• Ruairidh MacGill-Eain (Roderick MacLean), active from 1544 to 1548
• Gill-Easbaig Mac an Rothaich (Archibald Munro), active in 1548
• Domhnall Mac an Rothaich (Donald Munro), active from 1553 to 1563/84
• Domhnall Carsuel (Donald Carswell), died in 1592
• Alasdair Caimbeul (Alexander Campbell), active in 1592

See also