The Prior of St Andrews was the head of the property and community of Augustinian canons of St Andrews Cathedral Priory, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. It was established by King David I in 1140 with canons from Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire. It is possible that, initially at least, the prior of St Andrews was subordinate to the bishop as abbot, but by the 13th century the canons of St Andrews were given freedom by the bishop to elect their prior. By the end of the 13th century, the abbacy of the native canons (i.e. the Céli Dé, or Culdees) was no longer there to challenge the position of the priory, and the native canons themselves had been formed into a collegiate church.

The position of prior became secularized and the priory itself carved up into lordships in the 16th century, although the core and title remained into the 17th century. The following is a list of known priors and commendators:

List of priors

List of commendators

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Subsequently Prior of Loch Leven.
  2. ^ Became Bishop of St Andrews, but died Alnwick in England en route for papal confirmation.
  3. ^ a b Previously Prior of Loch Leven.
  4. ^ Became Bishop of Ross.
  5. ^ Became Bishop of Moray and Commendator of Scone in late 1538.
  6. ^ Son of King James V; became prior aged 6; and became Earl of Moray in 1562, retaining his position as Commendator of St Andrews Priory.
  7. ^ Bishop of Caithness from 1541; Earl of Lennox from 1578, exchanging Lennox for the earldom of March in 1580.

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