Abbot of Kelso
Encyclopedia
The Abbot of Kelso was the head of the Tironensian monastic community at Kelso Abbey
in the Scottish Borders
. Originally, he was the Abbot of Selkirk, because from its foundation in 1113 by David, Prince of the Cumbrians
(1113-1124) until it was moved to Kelso by David (then King of Scots, 1124-1153) and John
, bishop of Glasgow in 1127. The abbot was the first in Scotland to be granted the mitre in 1165. In the 16th century the monastery increasingly came under secular control, and finally in 1607 it was granted as a secular lordship (Holydean
) to its last commendator, Robert Ker of Cesford
, later earl of Roxburghe. The following is a list of abbots and commendators:
Kelso Abbey
Kelso Abbey is what remains of a Scottish abbey founded in the 12th century by a community of Tironensian monks first brought to Scotland in the reign of Alexander I. It occupies ground overlooking the confluence of the Tweed and Teviot waters, the site of what was once the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh...
in the Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
. Originally, he was the Abbot of Selkirk, because from its foundation in 1113 by David, Prince of the Cumbrians
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
(1113-1124) until it was moved to Kelso by David (then King of Scots, 1124-1153) and John
John the Chaplain
John was an early 12th century Tironensian cleric. He was the chaplain and close confident of King David I of Scotland, before becoming Bishop of Glasgow and founder of Glasgow Cathedral. He was one of the most significant religious reformers in the history of Scotland...
, bishop of Glasgow in 1127. The abbot was the first in Scotland to be granted the mitre in 1165. In the 16th century the monastery increasingly came under secular control, and finally in 1607 it was granted as a secular lordship (Holydean
Holydean
Holydean is a Scottish feudal Crown Barony and Lordship which lies in Roxburghshire in the neighbourhood of Kelso, in the Borderlands of Scotland, along the River Tweed...
) to its last commendator, Robert Ker of Cesford
Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe
Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe was a Scottish nobleman. He was the eldest son of William Ker of Cessford , and grandson of Sir Walter Ker of Cessford , who fought against Mary, Queen of Scots, both at Carberry Hill and at Langside.He helped James VI against Bothwell...
, later earl of Roxburghe. The following is a list of abbots and commendators:
List of abbots of Selkirk
- Radulf, 1113-1116 x 1117
- William, 1118-1119
- HerbertHerbert of SelkirkHerbert of Selkirk was a 12th century Tironensian monk, who rose to become 3rd Abbot of Selkirk-Kelso and bishop of Glasgow. While abbot of Selkirk, King David I of Scotland moved Selkirk Abbey to nearby Kelso. He was elected to the see of Glasgow soon after the death of his Bishop John, and...
, 1119-1127
List of abbots of Kelso
- HerbertHerbert of SelkirkHerbert of Selkirk was a 12th century Tironensian monk, who rose to become 3rd Abbot of Selkirk-Kelso and bishop of Glasgow. While abbot of Selkirk, King David I of Scotland moved Selkirk Abbey to nearby Kelso. He was elected to the see of Glasgow soon after the death of his Bishop John, and...
, 1127-1147. The same as the last abbot of Selkirk; became bishop of Glasgow. - ErnaldErnaldErnald was the second Abbot of Kelso before becoming Bishop of Cell Rígmonaid , the highest ranking Scottish see in the period. He was elected to the see on Sunday, St. Brice's Day 1160, and was consecrated at Dunfermline in the presence of King Máel Coluim IV the following Sunday by William,...
, 1147-1160. Became bishop of St Andrews. - John, 1160-1180
- Osbert, 1180-1203. Previously prior of LesmahagowPrior of LesmahagowThe Prior of Lesmahagow was the head of the medieval Tironensian monastic community of Lesmahagow Priory, located in modern South Lanarkshire...
, a Kelso daughter-house. - Geoffrey, 1203
- Richard de Cane (Cave ?), 1206-1208
- Henry, 1208-1218
- Richard, 1218-1221
- Herbert Maunsel, 1221-1239
- Hugh, 1236-1248
- Robert de Smalhame, 1248-1258
- Patrick, 1258-1260
- Henry de Lambden, 1260-1275
- J[ ], 1281
- Richard, 1285-1299
- Thomas de Durham, 1299 x 1307. An English royal appointee. Later became prior of Lesmahagow.
- Waleran, 1307-1311
- William de Alyncrome, 1317-1326
- William de Dalgarnock, 1329-1342
- Roger, 1351-1353
- William, 1353 -1354
- William de Bolden, 1367-1372
- Patrick, 1392-1411?
- William de Kelso, 1411-1426
- William, 1435-1447
- Richard Robson (Roberts), 1456-1464
- George Bois (Boy), 1460
- William Bonkil (Bonde), 1462
- Alan de Camera (Kuk, Cook), 1464-1466
- Richard Robson,1466 -1468
- Richard Wylie, 1467
- Robert Ker, 1468-1506
- Richard Wylie (again), 1469 -1473. Opposed election of Ker, but resigned his rights. Was prior of Lesmahagow since 1469.
- George, 1476
List of commendators of Kelso
- Andrew FormanAndrew FormanAndrew Forman was a Scottish diplomat and prelate who became Bishop of Moray in 1501, Archbishop of Bourges in France, in 1513, Archbishop of St Andrews in 1514 as well as the headship of several monasteries....
, 1511. Also bishop of MorayBishop of MorayThe Bishop of Moray or Bishop of Elgin was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Moray in northern Scotland, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics...
(1501-1514), commendator of May (1495-1515 x 1521) and commendator of Dryburgh (1509-1514 x 1516); previously commendator of Culross (1492-1493), later became commendator of Arbroath (1514), archbishop of St AndrewsArchbishop of St AndrewsThe Bishop of St. Andrews was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of St Andrews and then, as Archbishop of St Andrews , the Archdiocese of St Andrews.The name St Andrews is not the town or church's original name...
(1514-1521) and commendator of Dunfermline (1514-1521). - Andrew Stewart, 1511-1517. Bishop of CaithnessBishop of CaithnessThe Bishop of Caithness was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Caithness, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. The first referenced bishop of Caithness was Aindréas, a Gael who appears in sources between 1146 and 1151 as bishop. Aindréas spent much if not all of his career outside his...
(1501-1516), as Andrew Stewart I. - Thomas Ker (Car), 1513-1534
- James Stewart, 1534-1557. Bastard son of King James V of ScotlandJames V of ScotlandJames V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
. Also commendator of Melrose (1535-1557); not to be confused with his brother and namesake, James Stewart, Earl of MorayJames Stewart, 1st Earl of MorayJames Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray , a member of the House of Stewart as the illegitimate son of King James V, was Regent of Scotland for his nephew, the infant King James VI of Scotland, from 1567 until his assassination in 1570...
. - Louis de GuiseLouis I, Cardinal of GuiseLouis de Lorraine was the fourth son of Claude, Duke of Guise and Antoinette de Bourbon, and the younger brother of Charles of Guise, Cardinal of Lorraine. He was the nephew of Cardinal Jean de Lorraine...
, 1558-1559. Also commendator of Melrose (1558-1559), succeeding James Stewart. - William Ker I, 1559-1566
- John Maitland of ThirlstaneJohn Maitland, 1st Lord Maitland of ThirlestaneJohn Maitland, 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane, , Knight , was Lord Chancellor of Scotland.He was the second son of Sir Richard Maitland of Thirlestane, Berwickshire, and Lethington, Haddingtonshire, who settled the lands of Thirlestane upon him, and he was sent abroad for his education.Upon John...
, 1567. Became prior of ColdinghamPrior of ColdinghamThe Prior of Coldingham was the head of the Benedictine monastic community of Coldingham Priory in Berwickshire. Coldingham Priory was founded in the reign of David I of Scotland, although his older brother and predecessor King Edgar of Scotland had granted the land of Coldingham to the Church of...
(1567-1561) in exchange with Francis Stewart I; later reasserted his right to Kelso (1587-1588) - Francis Stewart (I) the elder, 1567-1592
- Francis StewartFrancis Stewart, 5th Earl of BothwellFrancis Stewart, Earl Bothwell , was Commendator of Kelso Abbey and Coldingham Priory, a Privy Counsellor and Lord High Admiral of Scotland. Like his stepfather, Archibald Douglas, Parson of Douglas, he was a notorious conspirator, who died in disgrace...
(II) the younger, 1588 - William Ker II, 1588
- Robert Ker of CesfordRobert Ker, 1st Earl of RoxburgheRobert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe was a Scottish nobleman. He was the eldest son of William Ker of Cessford , and grandson of Sir Walter Ker of Cessford , who fought against Mary, Queen of Scots, both at Carberry Hill and at Langside.He helped James VI against Bothwell...
, 1592