Tongland Abbey
Encyclopedia
Tungland or Tongland Abbey was a Premonstratensian monastic community located in Galloway
. It was probably founded in 1218 by Alan, Lord of Galloway
, although the church of Tongland had previously been granted to Dercongal Abbey
by his grandfather Uchtred
in the early 1160s. Few of its early abbots are known and its history is more generally covered by a cloud of obscurity. One notable abbot (1504-1509) was the Italian alchemist
John Damian
who, if a satirical account in two poems by William Dunbar
is based in fact, may have made an attempt at human-powered flight
from the walls of Stirling Castle
.
The fabric and discipline of the abbey had degnerated by the early sixteenth century. There is no evidence that John Damien ever resided in the abbey and he may have resigned his title in 1509 when King James IV
made a petition to Rome
for the title to pass to "David bishop of Galloway
" with a commission to "reform the discipline and repair the ruins". This petition was repeated under King James V
and Tongland was eventually granted to the bishop in 1529, and confirmed in 1541.
Tongland remained a possession of the bishop until the commendatorship of William Melville
(1588-1606), but afterwards reverted back into the bishop's hands.
The village of Tongland
exists now at the site.
Galloway
Galloway is an area in southwestern Scotland. It usually refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire...
. It was probably founded in 1218 by Alan, Lord of Galloway
Alan, Lord of Galloway
Alan Fitz Roland was the last of the MacFergus dynasty of quasi-independent Lords of Galloway. He was also hereditary Constable of Scotland.-Family:He was the son of Roland, or Lochlann, Lord of Galloway and Helen de Morville...
, although the church of Tongland had previously been granted to Dercongal Abbey
Dercongal Abbey
Dercongal Abbey was a Premonstratensian monastic community located in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The date of its foundation is not known, but it was certainly in existence as a Premonstratensian monastic community by 1225. The founder was presumably Alan, Lord of Galloway...
by his grandfather Uchtred
Uchtred, Lord of Galloway
Uchtred mac Fergusa was Lord of Galloway from 1161 to 1174, ruling jointly with his half-brother Gille Brigte...
in the early 1160s. Few of its early abbots are known and its history is more generally covered by a cloud of obscurity. One notable abbot (1504-1509) was the Italian alchemist
Alchemist
An alchemist is a person who practices alchemy. Alchemist may also refer to:-People and groups:*The Alchemist , a hip hop music producer and rapper*Alchemist , an Australian progressive metal band...
John Damian
John Damian
John Damian was an Italian clergyman at the court of James IV of Scotland. His attempts at medicine, alchemy, flying, and his advancement by the King encouraged a satirical attack by the poet William Dunbar....
who, if a satirical account in two poems by William Dunbar
William Dunbar
William Dunbar was a Scottish poet. He was probably a native of East Lothian, as assumed from a satirical reference in the Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedie , where, too, it is hinted that he was a member of the noble house of Dunbar....
is based in fact, may have made an attempt at human-powered flight
Human-powered aircraft
A human-powered aircraft is an aircraft powered by direct human energy and the force of gravity; the thrust provided by the human may be the only source; however, a hang glider that is partially powered by pilot power is a human-powered aircraft where the flight path can be enhanced more than if...
from the walls of Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep...
.
The fabric and discipline of the abbey had degnerated by the early sixteenth century. There is no evidence that John Damien ever resided in the abbey and he may have resigned his title in 1509 when King James IV
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
made a petition to Rome
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
for the title to pass to "David bishop of Galloway
Bishop of Galloway
The Bishop of Galloway, also called the Bishop of Whithorn, was the eccesiastical head of the Diocese of Galloway, said to have been founded by Saint Ninian in the mid-5th century. The subsequent Anglo-Saxon bishopric was founded in the late 7th century or early 8th century, and the first known...
" with a commission to "reform the discipline and repair the ruins". This petition was repeated under King James V
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
and Tongland was eventually granted to the bishop in 1529, and confirmed in 1541.
Tongland remained a possession of the bishop until the commendatorship of William Melville
William Melville
William Melville was an Irish law enforcement officer and the first chief of the British Secret Service, forerunner of MI5.-Birth:...
(1588-1606), but afterwards reverted back into the bishop's hands.
The village of Tongland
Tongland
Tongland is a small village about 2 miles north of Kirkcudbright, south west Scotland. It lies on the west bank of the Dee near its confluence with the Tarff Water.-History:...
exists now at the site.