Isle of May Priory facts for kids
The Isle of May Priory was a special kind of religious home called a monastery. It was built for nine Benedictine monks from Reading Abbey. They came to the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, in 1153. King David I of Scotland helped them set it up.
Later, in the 1200s, the priory was taken over by St Andrews Cathedral Priory. In 1318, the monks moved to Pittenweem Priory on the Fife coast. Today, the old buildings and dug-up parts of the priory are protected as a scheduled monument. This means they are important historical sites.
The First Monks: St. Adrian's Priory
Long ago, in the 600s, a Scottish monk named Ethernan lived. People believe he was killed by the Picts around 669. He was thought to be buried on the Isle of May. This island became a very important place for people who followed his teachings.
People honored Ethernan in many parts of Scotland. Many pilgrims, or religious travelers, came to the Isle of May. They prayed at his special shrine, hoping to be healed.
Later, a monk named Adrian of May built a monastery on the Isle of May. This monastery probably had small, round houses like beehives. It also had a chapel. The island was a popular place for pilgrims for many years. But around 875, fierce Vikings attacked the island. They killed the monks, and the island was left empty for centuries.
Over time, people started to mix up the stories of Ethernan and Adrian of May. Adrian's shrine became very popular with pilgrims. This mix-up likely happened after the Picts were no longer a main group in Scotland. Many old stories of monks being killed were then blamed on Vikings.
A New Start: St. Mary the Virgin Priory
In 1145, King David I of Scotland gave the Isle of May to Reading Abbey. This abbey was in Berkshire, England. It was founded by the King's brother-in-law, Henry I of England. The monks from Reading Abbey agreed to keep nine priests on the island. These priests would pray for the souls of the Kings of Scots.
The English Benedictines built a small monastery. They named it after St. Mary the Virgin. It also had a shrine for St. Ethernan. The King and the kings who came after him gave many gifts to this new priory.
Building the priory was hard. Orkney was home to groups of Scandinavians who often raided the island. The monks also faced tough conditions and loneliness. Because of these problems, Reading Abbey sold the priory in 1288. They sold it to the Bishop of St. Andrews. The Bishop then gave it to the canons of St Andrews Cathedral Priory.
In the late 1200s, there was a disagreement. The Bishop of St. Andrews and Reading Abbey argued over who owned the island. In 1313, it was decided that the island belonged to the St. Andrews area. After this, English soldiers attacked the island. They destroyed the monastery.
A new chapel was built later to honor St. Adrian. In 1318, the Augustinian monks moved to Pittenweem Priory.
See also
- Pittenweem Priory, the place the monks moved to later.
- Prior of May, a list of the leaders of the priory.
