Dean of Moray facts for kids

The Dean of Moray was a very important leader in the diocese of Moray, a church area in north-central Scotland. This leader was in charge of the cathedral chapter, which was a group of clergy (church officials) who helped run the Elgin Cathedral. The first time we know for sure that Moray had a dean was around 1207 or 1208. The first dean whose name we know lived between 1207 and 1211. This important job continued for many centuries, all the way until the 1600s.

What Was the Dean of Moray?

The Dean of Moray was like the main manager of the Elgin Cathedral and the group of church leaders who worked there. This group was called the cathedral chapter. Their job was to help the Bishop of Moray run the church's affairs in the region. The dean made sure everything ran smoothly, from daily services to managing the cathedral's lands and money. It was a powerful and respected position in medieval Scotland.

A Look at the Deans of Moray

Over the centuries, many different people held the important job of Dean of Moray. These deans played a key role in the church and sometimes even in the wider history of Scotland. Some deans went on to become bishops themselves, showing how important this role was as a step in a church career.

Early Deans and Their Times

The first known dean was named Freskin, who served around 1207 to 1226. After him came Hugh, and then Simon de Gunby. Simon later became the Bishop of Moray, which was a big promotion! Another early dean, Archibald, also became a bishop. This shows that the Dean of Moray was a stepping stone for many church leaders.

Challenges and Changes for Deans

Being a dean wasn't always easy. Sometimes, there were disagreements about who should get the job. For example, in 1253, Nicholas de Hedon had to go to the Pope to prove he was the rightful dean, winning against Andrew de Dunn. Later, during the Western Schism (a time when there were two or even three Popes), things got even more complicated for church leaders like Robert Sinclair. He was allowed to keep his deanery even after becoming a bishop, which was very unusual!

Deans in Later Centuries

As time went on, the role of Dean of Moray continued to be important. People like Gavin Dunbar senior and Gavin Dunbar junior held the position in the late 1400s and early 1500s. These deans often came from powerful families and had strong connections. The last known dean was John Brodie, who served until 1655. After this time, the role changed due to big shifts in the church in Scotland.