Prior of St Mary's Isle facts for kids

The Prior of St Mary's Isle and later the Commendator of St Mary's Isle were important leaders of a special religious community. This community was made up of Augustinians, who were a type of monks or religious people. They lived at a place called St Mary's Isle Priory in Kirkcudbrightshire, which is in a region of Galloway, Scotland. These leaders were in charge of the priory, guiding the monks and managing their daily life.

Who Were the Priors and Commendators?

A Prior was the head of a priory, which is a type of monastery. Think of them as the main boss or leader of the monks living there. They were responsible for everything from religious services to managing the priory's land and money.

Later, the title changed to Commendator. This often meant that the person in charge wasn't necessarily a monk living at the priory all the time. Sometimes, a commendator was appointed by the king or a powerful family. They might have been in charge of the priory's income and property, even if they didn't live there or follow the monastic rules strictly. This change happened a lot in Scotland during the 1500s.

Leaders of St Mary's Isle Priory

Here is a list of the people who led the St Mary's Isle Priory over many years. They played a big part in the history of this religious community.

Priors of St Mary's Isle

• William, before 1220
• David, 1273
• William de Kars, 1347
• Stephen de Malcarston, 1381-1406
• Patrick Wotherspoon, 1423-1426
  • John de Inverkeithing, 1423
  • Richard de Aberdour, 1424
  • Henry de Dryden, 1424-1426
• James Cameron, 1426-1446
• John de Wardlaw, 1446-1481
• Robert Bellenden (Ballantyne), 1481-1484
• John Crawford, 1484-1512 or 1515
  • William Crawford, 1501
• John Crichton, 1515-1525
• George Crichton, 1525-1526
• David Douglas, 1526
• William Douglas, 1526-1528
  • John Campbell, 1526
  • Adam Blackadder, 1527
  • John Lamb, 1528
  • John Leslie, 1528
  • Gavin Leslie, 1528
  • John Campbell (again), 1528
• Robert Erskine, 1528-1532

Commendators of St Mary's Isle

• John Douglas, 1528-1536
• David de Voyles, 1530
• David Paniter, 1536-1547
  • Nicholas Williamson, 1536
• Robert Stirling, 1546-1558
• William Heslop, 1558
• Robert Richardson, 1558-1566
• John Wilson, 1558
• John Stevenson, 1561
• William Rutherford, 1566-1587