The Prebends of Ross
Keeping track of the prebends of the cathedral of Ross is a complicated task and is best illustrated by listing the prebendal churches, their associations, and the first date that they become known in the historical record. However, some may have existed as prebends at an earlier age and in many cases the churches themselves may be very much older.
| Name of Prebend | Assigned to | First known |
|---|---|---|
| ALNESS | ~ | x 1445 |
| ARDERSIER | Dean | 1255/6 (with Kilmuir Wester) |
| AVOCH | Abbot of Kinloss was ex officio a canon because the church of Avoch had been appropriated to the Abbey before 5 Jan 1324/5. | x 1324/5 |
| CONTIN | {a simple Canonry/Prebend} | x 1344 |
| CULLICUDDEN | ~ | x 1378 |
| EDDERTON | Sub-dean | 1255/6 (with Tain) |
| FODDERTY | Archdeacon | 1236 x 1238 (with Killearnan) |
| INVERFERAN | Succentor | 1255/6 (with Urray) |
| KILCHRIST | ~ | x 1560 |
| KILLEARNAN | Archdeacon | 1236 x 1238 (with Fodderty) |
| KILMORACK | Precentor | after 1255/6 (received after Chancellor was given Kinnettes & Suddy) |
| KILMUIR EASTER | {a simple Canonry/Prebend} | x 1456/8 |
| KILMUIR WESTER | ~ | (with Ardersier) |
| KILTEARN | {a simple Canonry/Prebend} | x 1445 |
| KINCARDINE | {a simple Canonry/Prebend} | x 1440 |
| KINNETTES | Precentor then Chancellor | 1255/6 (after 1255/6 given to the Chancellor along with Suddy) |
| KIRKMICHAEL | {a simple Canonry/Prebend} | x 1429 |
| LEMLAIR | {a simple Canonry/Prebend} | 1236 x 1238 (originally given to the Archdeacon; by 1255/6 made into a simple prebend) |
| LOGIE EASTER | {a simple Canonry/Prebend} | x 1363 |
| LOGIE WESTER | Treasurer | 1236 x 1238 (originally given to the Archdeacon; 1255/6 given to the Treasurer) |
| NEWNAKLE | ~ | x 1362 (with Roskeen) |
| NIGG | Bishop | 1255/6 (with Tarbat) |
| ROSKEEN | ~ | x 1362 (with Newnakle) |
| SUDDY | Precentor then Chancellor | 1255/6 (after 1255/6 given to the Chancellor along with Kinnettes) |
| TAIN | Sub-Dean | 1255/6 (with Edderton) |
| TARBAT | Bishop | 1255/6 (with Nigg) |
| URQUHART | Treasurer | 1255/6 (with Logie Wester) |
| URRAY | Succentor | 1255/6 (with Inverferran) |
In the list above, Dingwall is a notable 'absentee'. This is because the church of Dingwall was, for a long time, simply the chapel (notoriously dedicated to St Colin) situated within the castle. Later, it was appropriated to Urquhard Priory and, later still, after the two houses were amalgamated (1454), it became the property of Pluscarden Priory. {Cowan suggests that this benefice became a prebend of Ross (1468x1501).}1
In all, twenty prebends, involving the revenues of twenty-nine churches, have been accounted for and since these, along with the six common churches (those of North Argyll - Kintail, Lochalsh, Lochcarron, Gairloch, Applecross and Lochbroom) pertaining to the Chapter, account for every church in the diocese, this total may be accepted with some finality. Of course, the implication of this is that there were no independent churches and that the 'cure' of every church in the diocese would usually have been served by a vicar or a cleric in lesser orders.
Another detail should be noted here. In the 1549 copy of the Statutes it is stated that a Preacher was employed on the cathedral's staff who was supported from the revenues of the archdeaconry.
In the records of the Lords of Appeal Cases (1814), x. 637, we find a note of the post-Reformation (1588) situation when the prebends still existed, even though the Chapter as such did not. All prebendal revenues reverted to the Crown after the Scottish dioceses were dissolved and these sums were often then 'allocated' for secular uses. Those dignitaries who were in-post at the Reformation were often allowed to continue to draw their prebendal revenues (and, usually, keep their titles) for the duration of their lifetimes, even if they did not transfer their allegiance from the Roman Catholic Church.
| ALNESS | Sub-dean |
| ARDERSIER & KILMUIR WESTER | Dean |
| CULLICUDDEN | Sub-dean |
| EDDERTON & TAIN | Sub-dean |
| FODDERTY & KILLEARNAN | Archdeacon |
| INVERFERAN & URRAY | Succentor |
| KILCHRIST | Precentor |
| KILMORACK | Precentor |
| KINCARDINE | Sub-dean |
| KINNETTES & SUDDY | Chancellor |
| LOGIE WESTER & URQUHART | Treasurer |
| NEWNAKLE & ROSKEEN | Sub-dean |
| NIGG & TARBAT | Bishop |
| ROSEMARKIE & CROMARTY | ¼ share to each of the Dean, Chancellor, Treasurer, and Precentor. |
1. Cowan, I.B. in "The Organisation of Scottish Secular Cathedral Chapters" quotes: Reg. Dunfermelyn, no.468 and R.M.S., II, no.3185. { A "John O[gilvie?] prebendario de Dingwale" appears c.1501 (Reg. Mag. Sig., Vol II, 3184) and, c.1501, a "Hugh Martinii canon of Dingwall, Ross" (CPL xvii, pt.1, p.481, no.793). But these may be spurious (or ad vitam) prebendaries especially seeing that the latter is associated with the Abbacy of Kinloss.}
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