Simon of Dunblane
Encyclopedia
Simon is the third known 12th century Bishop of Dunblane
. Nothing is known of Simon's background; there are numerous Simons in Scotland in this period, both native and foreign. There is a Symon de Liberatione who witnessed a charter
of King William the Lion
and whom Watt and Murray suggested may have been the later Bishop of Dunblane, while there was in the same decade a local landholder and ecclesiastical patron in the diocese of Dunblane
called Simón son of Mac Bethad.
Simon's name occurs as Bishop of Dunblane alongside Simon de Tosny
, Bishop of Moray
, and Hugh
, Bishop of St Andrews, in a charter dated to 1178, though Watt and Murray believed at this stage he was only bishop-elect. This is because two unnamed Scottish bishops were consecrated at the Third Lateran Council in March 1179, and candidates for these bishops are otherwise short in supply.
He witnessed a charter of King William to Arbroath Abbey
datable between 1178 and September 1184. He witnessed a charter of Melrose Abbey
datable to between 1180 and 1198. He issued his own charter to Arbroath Abbey between 1189 and 1196, in which he gave certain rights pertaining to the church of Abernethy to the abbey. His issued a charter around 1190 granting the church of Inchaffray to "Isaac and his successors", Isaac being one of the pre-Augustinian monks.
His last appearance is as a witness to a charter of Gille Brigte
, Mormaer of Strathearn, to what became Inchaffray Abbey
, dated to either 1194 or 1195. His successor Jonathan
appears as Bishop in an Arbroath document which must have been issued between 1194 and March 1198.
Bishop of Dunblane
The Bishop of Dunblane or Bishop of Strathearn was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Dunblane/Strathearn, one of medieval Scotland's thirteen bishoprics. It was based at Dunblane Cathedral, now a parish church of the Church of Scotland. The bishopric itself certainly derives from an older...
. Nothing is known of Simon's background; there are numerous Simons in Scotland in this period, both native and foreign. There is a Symon de Liberatione who witnessed a charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
of King William the Lion
William I of Scotland
William the Lion , sometimes styled William I, also known by the nickname Garbh, "the Rough", reigned as King of the Scots from 1165 to 1214...
and whom Watt and Murray suggested may have been the later Bishop of Dunblane, while there was in the same decade a local landholder and ecclesiastical patron in the diocese of Dunblane
Diocese of Dunblane
The Diocese of Dunblane or Diocese of Strathearn was one of the thirteen historical dioceses of Scotland, before the abolition of episcopacy in the Scottish Church in 1689. Roughly, it embraced the territories covered by the old earldoms of Strathearn and Menteith. The diocese was founded by the...
called Simón son of Mac Bethad.
Simon's name occurs as Bishop of Dunblane alongside Simon de Tosny
Simon de Tosny
Simon de Tosny was a 12th century Cistercian monk and prelate. Simon was a monk of Melrose Abbey, and served there until he moved to become Abbot of Coggeshall Abbey in Essex. He resigned this abbey in 1168, and returned to Melrose...
, Bishop of Moray
Bishop of Moray
The 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...
, and Hugh
Hugh the Chaplain
Hugh the Chaplain was the royal Chaplain of King William I of Scotland before becoming Bishop of Cell Rígmonaid , the highest ranking Scottish see of the period. After the death of Bishop Richard, King William selected Hugh to succeed to the bishopric in 1178...
, Bishop of St Andrews, in a charter dated to 1178, though Watt and Murray believed at this stage he was only bishop-elect. This is because two unnamed Scottish bishops were consecrated at the Third Lateran Council in March 1179, and candidates for these bishops are otherwise short in supply.
He witnessed a charter of King William to Arbroath Abbey
Arbroath Abbey
Arbroath Abbey, in the Scottish town of Arbroath, was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion for a group of Tironensian Benedictine monks from Kelso Abbey. It was consecrated in 1197 with a dedication to the deceased Saint Thomas Becket, whom the king had met at the English court...
datable between 1178 and September 1184. He witnessed a charter of Melrose Abbey
Melrose Abbey
Melrose Abbey is a Gothic-style abbey in Melrose, Scotland. It was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks, on the request of King David I of Scotland. It was headed by the Abbot or Commendator of Melrose. Today the abbey is maintained by Historic Scotland...
datable to between 1180 and 1198. He issued his own charter to Arbroath Abbey between 1189 and 1196, in which he gave certain rights pertaining to the church of Abernethy to the abbey. His issued a charter around 1190 granting the church of Inchaffray to "Isaac and his successors", Isaac being one of the pre-Augustinian monks.
His last appearance is as a witness to a charter of Gille Brigte
Gille Brigte, Earl of Strathearn
Gille Brigte of Strathearn is the third known Mormaer of Strathearn. He is one of the most famous of the Strathearn mormaers. He succeeded his father Ferchar in 1171. He is often known by the Francization of his name, Gilbert, or by various anglicizations, such as Gilbride, Gilbridge, etc...
, Mormaer of Strathearn, to what became Inchaffray Abbey
Inchaffray Abbey
Inchaffray Abbey was situated by the village of Madderty, midway between Perth and Crieff in Strathearn, Scotland. The only trace now visible is an earth mound and some walls on the island where the abbey once stood.-History:...
, dated to either 1194 or 1195. His successor Jonathan
Jonathan of Dunblane
Jonathan was a was churchman and prelate active in late twelfth- and early thirteenth century Strathearn, in the Kingdom of Scotland...
appears as Bishop in an Arbroath document which must have been issued between 1194 and March 1198.