Prior of Inchmahome facts for kids

The Prior of Inchmahome and later the Commendator of Inchmahome were the main leaders of a special religious community. This community was made up of Augustinian canons, who were like priests living together. They lived at Inchmahome Priory, a beautiful old building on Inchmahome, an island in the Lake of Menteith in Stirlingshire, Scotland. These leaders were in charge of the priory and its people for many years.

Leaders of Inchmahome Priory

For centuries, Inchmahome Priory had different leaders. These leaders were important figures who guided the religious community living there. They were known first as "Priors" and later as "Commendators."

What Was a Prior?

A Prior was the head of a priory. A priory is a type of monastery, which is a place where religious people, like monks or canons, live and work together. The Prior was responsible for everything at Inchmahome Priory. This included managing the buildings, looking after the canons, and making sure the religious rules were followed. It was a big job, like being the principal of a school or the captain of a team.

What Was a Commendator?

Later on, the leaders of Inchmahome Priory were called Commendators. This change happened because of new ways that religious places were managed. A Commendator was often someone chosen by the King or a powerful family to look after the priory's property and income. They might not have been a religious person themselves, but they were in charge of the priory's affairs. This role became more common as time went on.

Who Led Inchmahome?

Many different people served as leaders of Inchmahome Priory over the years. They guided the community through many changes in Scottish history. Here are some of the people who held these important roles:

Priors of Inchmahome

• Adam, who was a leader around 1296.
• Maurice, who led between 1297 and 1309.
• Cristin, from around 1309 to 1319.
• After these early leaders, there was a period where the names of the Priors are not known for about a century.
• Patrick de Port, around 1419.
• Patrick de Cardross, from 1419/21 to 1445.
• Thomas de Arbroath, from 1419 to 1420.
• Maurice de Cardross, in 1445.
• Gilbert de Camera, from 1450 to 1468 or 1469.
• David Noble, in 1468.
• Sir Thomas Dog, from 1469 to 1477.
• John Cavers, from 1470 to 1473.
• Alexander Ruch, from 1474 to 1479.
• Walter Drummond, in 1477.
• John Ruch, in 1479.

Commendators of Inchmahome

• David Ballon (also known as Henryson), who served from 1479 to 1517.
• Peter Mason, in 1480.
• John Edmonston, in 1481.
• Patrick Mentcher, in 1492.
• Andrew Ballon, from 1517 to 1529.
• Robert Erskine, from 1529 to 1537.
• John Erskine, from 1537 to 1556.
• David Erskine, who was a Commendator for a long time, from 1556 to 1605.
• Henry Stewart, in 1584.

These leaders played a key part in the history of Inchmahome Priory and the surrounding area.