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Prior of Coldingham facts for kids

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The Prior of Coldingham was the leader of a group of Benedictine monks at Coldingham Priory. A priory is a type of monastery, which is a place where monks live and pray. Coldingham Priory was located in Berwickshire, Scotland.

The priory started a long time ago, during the reign of King David I of Scotland. However, even before that, his older brother, King Edgar of Scotland, gave the land of Coldingham to the Church of Durham in 1098. A church was built there in 1100 AD.

The first known prior was recorded around 1147, but the priory likely existed even earlier. For many years, Coldingham Priory was connected to Durham Cathedral. This changed around the 1370s. In 1378, King Robert II of Scotland sent the Durham monks away. After this, for about a hundred years, the priory had two different priors: one chosen by Durham and another chosen by the Scots.

Later, Coldingham Priory became connected to Dunfermline Abbey. As time went on, from the late 1400s into the 1500s, the priory came more and more under the control of non-religious people.

Who Were the Priors?

The Prior was the head of the monastic community. They were responsible for leading the monks, managing the priory's lands, and overseeing its religious duties. Over the centuries, many different people held this important position.

Priors Connected to Durham

For a long time, the Priors of Coldingham were chosen by the Church of Durham in England. This showed how closely the two places were linked. Here are some of the early priors:

  • Edward, active between 1124 and 1153
  • Sampson, active between 1159 and 1162
  • Alan, active between 1165 and 1173
  • Herbert, active between 1172 and 1175
  • Bertram, active between 1188 and 1189

After the split in the late 1300s, some priors continued to be loyal to Durham:

  • Robert de Claxton, 1374-1391
  • John de Ayclif, 1392-1416
  • William Drax, 1418-1441

Priors Connected to Dunfermline

When the Scottish kings wanted more control, some priors were chosen by Dunfermline Abbey in Scotland. This led to a period where there were often two different priors at the same time, each supported by a different side.

  • Adam de Carale, active between 1374 and 1379
  • Michael de Inverkeithing, 1379-1389
  • William Reid, 1389-1390
  • John Steele, 1390-1402

Prior-Commendators

Later, the role of Prior changed. Some leaders were called "Prior-Commendators." This meant they were not necessarily monks themselves but were appointed to manage the priory's property and income. This was part of the shift towards more non-religious control.

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