Gilbert de Moravia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Gilbert of Dornoch
Stained glass of St Gilbert from Dornoch Cathedral, Scotland.
Bishop
Born	unknown Moray
Died	1245
Feast	1 April
Patronage	Diocese of Dornoch

Gilbert de Moravia (died 1245) is better known as Saint Gilbert of Dornoch. He was a very important Bishop of Caithness and is famous for starting the building of Dornoch Cathedral in Scotland. His family might have come from a place called Moray and had some Flemish (from modern-day Belgium/Netherlands) roots. He might even have been related to the first Earl of Sutherland, William de Moravia, 1st Earl of Sutherland.

Who Was Gilbert?

Gilbert was the son of a man named Muiredach. His family name, "de Moravia," suggests they came from the area of Moray in Scotland. Some people think his name, Gilbert, might be a French version of the old Gaelic name Gille Brigte.

Gilbert had several brothers. One younger brother, Richard de Moravia, was said to have died fighting against people from Scandinavia. You can still see a statue of Richard in Dornoch Cathedral today. Gilbert also had an older brother named John and another younger brother named Simon.

Becoming a Bishop

Gilbert likely became the Archdeacon of Moray, which is a high-ranking church official. He was probably chosen to be the Bishop of Caithness around the year 1223. This happened when King Alexander II of Scotland and his army were present. By the summer of 1224, he was definitely the bishop.

The previous bishop, Adam of Melrose, had been killed. So, King Alexander II likely decided that the main church, or cathedral, for the bishopric should be moved. It was moved to a safer place, closer to where the king could protect it.

Moving the Cathedral

During Gilbert's time as bishop, the main church for the area moved from Halkirk in the far north to Dornoch in the far south. In 1239, Gilbert even moved Bishop Adam's body to the new cathedral in Dornoch.

Even though the cathedral moved south, Gilbert often stayed in the northern part of his area. This area was still quite wild at the time. He had a palace in a place called Scrabster.

What He Achieved

Gilbert did many important things during his time as bishop. He oversaw the building of the beautiful Dornoch Cathedral. He also set up places called hospices, which were like shelters or guesthouses for people who were poor or traveling.

People knew Gilbert as a very good preacher. He worked hard to bring more peace and order to his diocese, which was the area he was responsible for as bishop.

His Final Years

Gilbert passed away in 1245 at his palace in Scrabster Castle. This happened on April 1st, which is now celebrated as his special day. He was buried in Dornoch Cathedral.

For many years after his death, people honored Gilbert's remains, called relics. People would even make promises or swear oaths on them. This continued until the Reformation, a big change in the church in the 1500s. Gilbert is the last Scottish saint to be officially recognized in the church's calendar, but we don't know if he was ever formally made a saint in a special ceremony.

A Dragon Story

There are old stories and legends about Saint Gilbert. One popular tale from the late 1800s says that he once defeated a dragon or a salamander that was scaring the people in the countryside!

Want to Learn More?

• List of Catholic saints
• Bishop of Caithness

Where We Got This Information

• Dowden, John, The Bishops of Scotland, edited by J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912)
• Ross-Harper, Ian, Notable Bishops and Ministers of Dornoch Cathedral, (Historylinks Museum, Dornoch)