Whithorn Priory facts for kids
Whithorn Priory was a very old Scottish monastery that also worked as a cathedral. It is located in Whithorn, Wigtownshire, in Dumfries and Galloway.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How Whithorn Priory Started
Whithorn Priory was built around the mid-1100s. It was founded by Fergus of Galloway, who was the Lord of Galloway. This happened when King David I of Scotland was ruling.
At first, the priory was home to a group of monks called Augustinian Canons Regular. These monks followed a strict set of rules. Around 1175, a different group of monks took over. They were called Premonstratensian canons, also known as the White Canons.
The canons at Whithorn also formed the main group for the Diocese of Galloway. This was like the local church district. The leader of the priory, called the prior, was very important. He was almost as important as the bishop. The monks even had the right to choose their own bishop.
Priors and Pilgrims
We don't have a full list of all the priors who led Whithorn Priory. But some famous ones include Maurice, who promised loyalty to King Edward I of England in 1296. Another was Gavin Dunbar, who later became an Archbishop. James Beaton also led the priory and later became an Archbishop and chancellor of the kingdom.
Whithorn was a very popular place for people to visit on a pilgrimage. This was because of its connection to Saint Ninian. He was a very respected saint.
Many Scottish kings and queens visited Saint Ninian's shrine at Whithorn. These included Queen Margaret, wife of James III, and Kings James IV and James V. They often left valuable gifts. Because of these gifts, the monastery became very rich.
The Priory Changes Hands
The priory was eventually closed down during the Scottish Reformation. This was a time when many changes happened in the church in Scotland. By 1516, the priory was put under the rule of a "commendatory prior." This was someone who managed the priory's money but wasn't necessarily a monk.
The last Catholic prior, Malcolm Fleming, was even put in prison in 1563. This was because he continued to say Mass, which was against the new rules.
In 1587, all the priory's land and property became owned by the Crown (the King). Later, in 1606, King James VI gave the property to the Bishop of Galloway. This happened when he brought Episcopalianism to Scotland.
What's Left Today?
The monastery's lands stayed with the bishopric until 1688. At that time, the See of Galloway was one of the richest church areas in Scotland.
The priory church was also the cathedral for the area. It had a long main hall called a nave. It also had a choir area and a lady chapel. Over the years, parts of the church were changed and rebuilt.
By 1684, the nave and the western tower were still standing. Today, you can see the roofless nave. There are also large underground rooms called crypts under the eastern part of the church. Some restoration work has been done to preserve what remains.
The whole site is now a scheduled monument. This means it is a very important historical place that is protected.
People Buried Here
- Walter of Whithorn
- Henry of Holyrood
- Simon de Wedale
- Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus (his heart was buried in Douglas, South Lanarkshire)
Images for kids
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St. Ninian's Priory from Bruce Street
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Saint Ninian's Chapel
