Thomas I, Prior of St Andrews facts for kids

Thomas was a religious leader in Scotland a long, long time ago, in the 1200s. He was a special kind of priest called an Augustinian canon. He also became a Cistercian monk, which is another type of religious person who lives in a monastery.

Thomas was the leader, or prior, of the St Andrews Cathedral Priory. This was a very important religious place in Scotland. He became prior around the year 1199. Old documents from that time show him as the prior starting on June 6, 1199.

Why Thomas Left His Job

A writer named Walter Bower said that Thomas was a very religious person. He felt that the other canons (priests) at St Andrews were not living as strictly as they should. Because he was unhappy with their relaxed way of life, Thomas decided to leave his important job as prior.

He chose to become a Cistercian novice at Coupar Angus Abbey. A novice is someone who is trying out life as a monk before making a full commitment. This change likely happened in the year 1211. After Thomas left, a person named Simon became the new prior of St Andrews.