Bishop of the Isles


The Bishop of the Isles or Bishop of Sodor was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of the Isles, one of Scotland's thirteen medieval bishoprics. The bishopric, encompassing both the Hebrides and Mann, probably traces its origins as an ecclesiastical unity to the careers of Olaf, King of the Isles, and Bishop Wimund. Previously, there had been numerous bishoprics, and recorded bishoprics include Kingarth, Iona, Skye and Mann. There were very likely numerous others.

List of precursor bishoprics

List of known bishops of Iona

List of known bishops of Cenn Garad

Kingarth was a church on the Isle of Bute, supposedly founded by Saint Chattan and Saint Blane. Three abbots are known, but only two bishops. Sadly, little is known about the abbey, bishopric and individual clerics.
TenureIncumbentNotes
d. 660DaniélThe Annals of Ulster, s.a. 660.1, records the death of this "and Daniél, bishop of Cenn Garad".
d. 689IolánThe Annals of Ulster, s.a. 689.1, record the death of this Iolán, "bishop of Cenn Garad".

List of known bishops of Mann

Bishops of the Isles

List of known bishops of Isles (including Mann)

The list of bishops known to have ruled the whole of what became the Diocese of the Isles.
TenureIncumbentNotes
1134-x 1148WimundDescribed as bishop of sancta ecclesia de Schith "holy church of Skye". His bishopric may have been confined to Skye until 1134 x 1138, when he was definitely bishop of the Isles and Mann.
x 1148-x 1152Nicholas Presented by Óláfr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles to the Dean of York for consecration; no evidence positively that he took office.
1151 x 1152-1152 x 1154John 'Not known to have possessed his see. He was probably a candidate of the Archbishop of York who proved unacceptable to Óláfr.
1154-1154 x 1166Gamaliel
1154 x 1166-1170Reginald 'A Norwegian; called, variously, Reinarb, Reinar, Nemar and Nemarr.
1166-1170 x 1194ChristianIt is possible that this is the same as Christian, Bishop of Whithorn.
x 1194-1203Michael
1203 x 1210-1217Nicholas 'Also called Koli, a Scandinavian shortening of Nicholas.
1217 x 1226Reginald 'A relation of the royal family of the Isles. May not have had the support of Furness Abbey, who at that point held the right to elect the Bishop of the Isles.
1217 x 1219-1224 x 1225Nicholas de MeauxWas Abbot of Furness.
1224 x 1226-1226John ', son of HefarDied in an accident soon after becoming bishop.
1226-1248Simon
1248LaurenceLaurence had been the archdeacon of Mann, and was elected to the bishopric after the death of Bishop Simon. He presented himself to the King of Norway and the Archbishop of Trondheim; the king would not agree to the election until he had visited personally; however, Laurence and his party drowned near Shetland on the voyage back to Mann.
1253-1275Richard An Englishman who was a canon of St Andrews Cathedral Priory in Scotland. Surname "de Natherton" is hypothetical, but supported by evidence.
el. 1275GilbertAn Englishman. Previously Abbot of Rushen, he was apparently elected to the see after the death of Bishop Richard. However, Alexander III, King of Scotland ignored the election and installed instead Mark.
1275-1303MarkMarcus. A native of Galloway. Blind at his death in 1303.
1303 x 1305-1322AlanAilean. Died in office.
1324-1326 x 1327Gilbert MaclellanGiolla-Brighde Mac Giolla-Faoláin. A native of Galloway. Died in office.
1327 x 1328-1328 x 1331Bernard of Kilwinning
1331Cormac CormaciiCormac Mac Chormaic. Elected by canons of Skye, but does not appear to have obtained confirmation.
1331-1348Thomas de Rossy
1349-1374William Russell
1374-1387/1392John Dongan'''Deprived of bishopric in 1387 by Scottish-backed Avignon Pope Clement VII. Continued in English-controlled Mann until 1392, but from 1387 onwards the diocese has permanently split into two parts.

List of bishops of the Isles (excluding Mann)

The bishopric of the Isles became divided, primarily because the see became divided between the kings of England and Scotland. The English had taken over Mann, leaving the other islands to the north under Scottish overlordship.