Prior of May (Pittenweem) facts for kids

The Prior of May and later Prior of Pittenweem was the main leader of a group of Benedictine monks. These monks first lived on the Isle of May, a small island off the coast of Scotland. Later, their home, called a priory, moved to the mainland in a place called Pittenweem, Fife.

A priory is like a smaller monastery, where monks live and pray together. The leader of a priory is called a Prior. Over time, the title changed to Commendator of Pittenweem. A commendator was someone who managed the priory's money and land, even if they weren't a monk themselves.

What Was a Prior?

A Prior was the head of a priory, which is a type of monastery. Monks are religious people who dedicate their lives to prayer and service. The Prior was responsible for guiding the monks, managing the priory's daily life, and looking after its property. It was a very important job, similar to being a principal of a school or a manager of a large organization.

Moving the Priory

The monks' first home was on the Isle of May. This island is in the Firth of Forth, an arm of the sea in Scotland. By the year 1318, the priory moved from the island to the nearby mainland town of Pittenweem.

When the priory moved, it also changed who was in charge of it. At first, it was under the control of Reading Abbey, a large Benedictine monastery in England. After the move, it came under the control of St Andrews Cathedral Priory, which was run by a different group of religious people called Augustinians.

Leaders of the Priory

Over many centuries, different people held the important role of Prior or Commendator. These leaders guided the monks and managed the priory's affairs. Here are some of the notable people who held these positions:

Early Priors (Isle of May and Pittenweem)

• Achard, who was a Prior between 1141 and 1150.
• Robert, who served from 1161 to 1166.
• Hugh de Mortimer, a Prior from 1198 to 1205.
• John, who was in charge from 1206 to 1215.
• William de Gloucester, who served from 1269 to 1270.
• Martin, who was Prior when the priory moved, from 1313 to 1318.
• Robert de Leuchars, who was Prior around 1405.
• James Haldenston, who served from 1407 to 1418.
• Thomas de Camera (also known as Chalmers), who was Prior for a long time, from 1419 to 1447.
• James Kennedy, a very important figure who was Prior from 1447 to 1465. He later became a bishop.
• Patrick Graham, who served from 1466 to 1478.
• William Scheves, who was Prior from 1487 to 1497.

Commendators of Pittenweem

After a certain point, the leaders were called Commendators. This meant they were in charge of the priory's property and income, even if they weren't living as monks.

• Andrew Forman, who was Commendator from 1495 to around 1521.
• Robert Forman, who served from 1516 to 1526.
• John Roul, who was Commendator for a long period, from 1525 to 1553.
• James Stewart, a well-known figure who was Commendator from 1550 to 1567.
• Sir James Balfour of Pittendreich, who served from 1567 to 1573.
• William Stewart of Houston, who was the last listed Commendator, serving from 1583 to around 1605.