Prior of Pluscarden facts for kids
The Prior of Pluscarden was the main leader of a religious community at Pluscarden Priory in Moray, Scotland. This priory was a type of monastery, a place where monks lived and prayed. The Prior was in charge of the monks and all the lands belonging to the priory. Later, this role changed to a Commendator of Pluscarden.
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Pluscarden Priory: A Historical Look
Pluscarden Priory was started in 1230 by King Alexander II of Scotland. It was first built for a group of monks known as the Valliscaulian Order. These monks followed a specific way of life and rules.
Changes and New Beginnings
In March 1454, something important happened. A nearby monastery called Urquhart Priory was having problems and was struggling. Pluscarden Priory took it over, meaning it joined with Urquhart. After this, Pluscarden Priory became connected to Dunfermline Abbey and changed its religious order to the Benedictines. The Benedictine Order is one of the oldest and most famous groups of monks.
Who Led the Priory?
Over the centuries, many different people led Pluscarden Priory. They were known as Priors or, later, Commendators. These leaders guided the monks and managed the priory's daily life and lands.
List of Priors
Here are some of the people who served as Prior of Pluscarden:
- Simon [I], 1239
- Andrew, before 1275
- William, 1275
- Simon [II], 1280–1286
- John Suryass, 1291
- John Wysy, 1345–1346
- Thomas, 1367–1398
- Alexander de Pluscarden, 1398–1426
- "Eugenius Macfeturis" (Eóghann mac Pheadair), 1417-1428 or before 1431
- David Cran, 1427–1428
- Andrew Symson, 1428-1439
- Richard Lundy, 1435
- William de Breneth, 1436–1449
- Andrew Haig [I], 1447–1454
- John Benally, 1454–1456
- William Boyce, 1457–1476
- Andrew Haig [II], 1469–1471
- David Ruch, 1474–1475
- Thomas Foster, 1476–1479
- Gavin Dunbar, 1479
- David Boyce, 1481–1482
- Robert Harwar/Herwot/Harrower, 1487–1509
- George Learmond (or George Learmonth), 1509-1529
- Alexander Dunbar, 1529–1560
- George Dunbar, 1561
- George Seton, 1561–1569
- William Cranston, 1562
List of Prior-Commendators
Later, the role changed to a Prior-Commendator. This often meant the leader might not be a monk living at the priory full-time.
- Alexander Seton, 1565-1587
- James Douglas, 1577–1581
