Prior of St Andrews facts for kids
The Prior of St Andrews was a very important leader in a special religious community in St Andrews, Scotland. This community was made up of Augustinian canons, who were like priests living together under certain rules. Their home was the St Andrews Cathedral Priory.
This priory was started by King David I in 1140. He brought the first canons from a place called Nostell Priory in England. At first, the Prior of St Andrews might have been under the control of the local bishop. But by the 1200s, the canons gained the freedom to choose their own prior. By the end of the 13th century, another group of native Scottish canons, called the Céli Dé or Culdees, no longer challenged the priory's power. The Culdees themselves had become part of a different church group.
Over time, the role of the prior changed. In the 1500s, the position became more "secularized," meaning it was less about religious duties and more about worldly power. The priory's lands were also divided into different lordships. However, the main part of the priory and its title continued into the 1600s.
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What Was the Prior of St Andrews?
The Prior of St Andrews was the main leader of a group of Augustinian canons. These canons were priests who lived together in a monastery or priory. They followed the rules of Saint Augustine, focusing on prayer, study, and community life. The priory was a very important religious center in medieval Scotland.
How the Priory Began
The St Andrews Cathedral Priory was founded by King David I in 1140. King David wanted to bring new religious orders to Scotland. He invited canons from Nostell Priory in England to start this new community in St Andrews. This helped to strengthen the church in Scotland.
The Role of the Prior
The prior was in charge of the canons and all the priory's property. They managed the daily life, spiritual well-being, and finances of the community. Initially, the bishop might have had a lot of say in who became prior. But as the priory grew, the canons gained the right to elect their own leader. This showed how powerful and independent the priory became.
Changes Over Time
By the 16th century, big changes happened in Scotland, including the Scottish Reformation. This led to many religious institutions changing. The role of the Prior of St Andrews became less about religious leadership and more about political power. The priory's lands were split up, and the title of prior became more of an honor or a way to control wealth.
Who Were the Priors and Commendators?
The leaders of the St Andrews Priory were known as "Priors." Later, after the changes in the 16th century, some leaders were called "Commendators." A commendator was someone who held the income of a religious house but wasn't necessarily a monk or priest living there. They often managed the property for their own benefit.
List of Priors
Here is a list of the known priors who led the St Andrews Priory:
- Robert I, 1140x1144-1160
- Walter I, 1160-1195
- Gilbert I, 1198
- Walter I (again), 1198x1199
- Thomas I, 1199-1211
- Simon, 1212-1225
- Henry de Norham, x 1228-1236
- John White, 1236-1258
- Gilbert, 1258-1264
- John de Haddington, 1264-1304
- Adam Mauchan, 1304-1313
- John de Forfar, 1313-1321
- John de Cowrie, 1321-1340
- William de Lothian, 1340-1354
- Thomas Biset, 1354-1363
- Stephen de Pa, 1363-1386
- Robert de Montrose, 1386x1387-1394
- James Biset, 1394-1416
- William de Camera, 1416-1417
- John Bullock, (claimed) 1417-1418
- James de Haldeston, 1417-1443
- John Litstar (unfruitful provision), 1417-1418
- William Bonar, 1443-1462
- David Ramsay, 1466-1469
- Walter Monypenny, 1467-1468
- William Cameron, 1469-1482
- Walter Monypenny, 1469
- John Wallace, 1469-1471
- Thomas Ruch, 1475
- Walter Monypenny, 1483-1486
- John Hepburn, 1483-1526
- Patrick Hepburn, 1524-1538
List of Commendators
After the changes, these individuals held the title of commendator:
- James Stewart, 1538-1570
- Robert Stewart, 1570-1586
- Ludovic, Duke of Lennox, 1586-1624
