Isabella Hoppringle
Isabella Hoppringle, was a Scottish abbess and spy. She was the abbess of Coldstream Abbey in 15051538.
Belonging to a family who often provided abbesses to the Abbey in Coldstream, she became initiated in the position in 1505. She was a personal friend to the Scottish queen dowager regent, Margaret Tudor. As the abbey was near the border of England and Scotland, it was in the midst of the warfare between the nations in 1513. She skillfully managed to balance between the two nations to the benefit of the abbey and was reputed as the best agent England had in Scotland. In 1538, she was succeeded as abbess – and reputedly as agent – by her relative Janet Pringle.
