Gregory of Brechin
Bishop of Brechin / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gregory of Brechin (died 1242x1246) was a 13th-century prelate based in the Kingdom of Scotland.
Gregory Gregoir | |
---|---|
Bishop of Brechin | |
See | Brechin |
In office | 1218–1242x1246 |
Predecessor | Hugh |
Successor | Albin |
Personal details | |
Born | 12th century unknown |
Died | 1242 x 1246 unknown |
Previous post(s) | Archdeacon of Brechin |
Gregory's name appears for the first time in an Arbroath Abbey document dating between 1189 and 1198, when he is holding the office of Archdeacon of Brechin.[1] He is the first known archdeacon in the diocese of Brechin.[1] Following the death of Bishop Hugh in 1218, he is elected Bishop of Brechin; the papacy issued a mandate to the bishop of St Andrews for his confirmation and consecration on 15 December 1218.[2]
Gregory is found as a papal judge-delegate in 1219, 1224 and 1225.[3] He was present at the royal council in Forfar in 1225, and at Dundee in 1230.[3] He appears in another Arbroath document dating to 1242, his last appearance in contemporary sources.[4]
During Gregory's time the cathedral was run by Scottish priests called Céli Dé, governed until at least the early part of Gregory's episcopate by a prior named Máel Brigte (Mac Léoit, "MacLoud").[5] The old abbots of Brechin were in the process of becoming the secular Mac in Aba (filius Abbe, "MacNab") lords of Glen Esk.[6] Soon after Gregory's death these priests "by change of name" came to be "styled as canons".[7] Gregory may have been responsible for this nominal change.[8]
Gregory died sometime between his last appearance in 1242, and 1246 when the papacy mandated the confirmation of his successor Albin.[9]