The Bishop of the Isles or Bishop of Sodor was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Sodor, one of Scotland's thirteen medieval bishoprics. The bishopric, encompasing both the Hebrides and Mann, probably traces its origins as an ecclesiastical unity to the careers of Olaf, King of the Isles, and Bishop Wimund. Previously, there had been numerous bishoprics, and recorded bishoprics include Kingarth, Iona, Skye and Mann. There were very likely numerous others.
Dunchad appears to have been Abbot of Iona during Dorbbéne's time in charge. The abbacy was either divided or Dorbbéne was bishop while Dunchad was abbot.
fl. mid. 800s
Patrick
Testified as bishop "i Suðreyjam" (in the Hebrides) in Norse sources, was perhaps merely a legendary figure.
d. 963
Fothad
According to the Annals of the Four Masters, s.a. 961.3 (=s.a. 963), he was Fothadh, mac Brain, scribhnidh & espucc Insi Alban; that is, "Fothad, son of Bran, scribe and bishop of the islands of Scotland". We know from other sources that he was probably bishop of Cennrígmonaid (i.e. St. Andrews), or at least, "High Bishop of Scotland" without a specific see.
d. 966
Finguine
The Annals of the Four Masters record his death in 966 (=s.a. M964.3) as "anchorite and Bishop of Iona".
List of known bishops of Cenn Garad
Kingarth was a church on the Isle of Bute, supposedly founded by Saint Chattan and Saint Blane. Three abbots are known, but only two bishops. Sadly, little is known about the abbey, bishopric and individual clerics.
Tenure
Incumbent
Notes
d. 660
Daniél
The Annals of Ulster, s.a. 660.1, records the death of this "and Daniél, bishop of Cenn Garad".
d. 689
Iolán
The Annals of Ulster, s.a. 689.1, record the death of this Iolán, "bishop of Cenn Garad".
List of known bishops of Mann
Tenure
Incumbent
Notes
x1079
Roolwer
x1079
William
fl. 1079x1095
Hamond
el. 1103x1108
Anonymous
An unnamed bishop is presented for consecration to Gerard, the Archbishop of York. He may or may not have been Wimund.
Bishops of the Isles
List of known bishops of Isles (including Mann)
The list of bishops known to have ruled the whole of what became the Diocese of the Isles (Sodor).
Described as bishop of sancta ecclesia de Schith "holy church of Skye" (1109 x 1114). His bishopric may have been confined to Skye until 1134 x 1138, when he was definitely bishop of the Isles and Mann.
x 1148–x 1152
Nicholas (I.)
Presented by King Olaf of Mann to the Archbishop of York for consecration; no evidence positively that he took office.
1151 x 1152–1152 x 1154
John
Not known to have possessed his see. He was probably a candidate of the Archbishop of York who proved unacceptable to King Olaf.
1154–1154 x 1166
Gamaliel
1154 x 1166–1170
Ragnald (I.)
A Norwegian; called, variously, Reinarb, Reinar, Nemar and Nemarr.
A member of the royal family of the Isles. May not have had the support of Furness Abbey, who at that point held the right to elect the Bishop of the Isles.
Laurence had been the archdeacon of Mann, and was elected to the bishopric after the death of Bishop Simon. He presented himself to the King of Norway and the Archbishop of Trondheim; the king would not agree to the election until he had visited personally; however, Laurence and his party drowned near Shetland on the voyage back to Mann.
An Englishman who was a canon of St Andrews Cathedral Priory in Scotland. Surname "de Natherton" is hypothetical, but supported by evidence.
el. 1275
Gilbert
Englishman. Previously Abbot of Rushden, he was apparently elected to the see after the death of Bishop Richard. However, King Alexander III of Scotland ignored the election and installed instead a Galwegian named Mark.
1275–1303
Marcus
A Galwegian, blind at his death in 1303.
1303 x 1305–1322
Ailean
Another Galwegian.
1324–1326 x 1327
Giolla-Brighde Mac Giolla-Faoláin
Another Galwegian, "Gilbert MacLellan".
1332 x 1331
Cormac Mac Chormaic
Written Cormac Cormacii; was elected by canons of Skye, but does not appear to have obtained confirmation.
Deprived of bishopric in 1387 by Scottish-backed Avignon Pope Clement VII. Continued in English-controlled Mann until 1392, but from 1387 onwards the diocese has permanently split into two parts.
List of bishops of the Isles (excluding Mann)
The bishopric of the Isles became divided, primarily because the see became divided between the kings of England and Scotland. The English had taken over Mann, leaving the other islands to the north under Scottish overlordship.
Tenure
Incumbent
Notes
1387–1409
Michael
Was Archbishop of Cashel when translated to this see by Clement VII, upon deprivation of Dongan.
Received papal provision but never paid for it, so had still not been confirmed when he resigned his right to Fearchar Mac Eachainn in 1528 and in 1532.
Episcopacy permanently abolished in Scottish church.
Notes
References
Anderson, Alan Orr, Early Sources of Scottish History: AD 500–1286, 2 Vols, (Edinburgh, 1922).
Anderson, Alan Orr, Scottish Annals from English Chroniclers: AD 500–1286, (London, 1908), republished, Marjorie Anderson (ed.) (Stamford, 1991)
Dowden, John (1912), Thomson, John Maitland (ed.), The Bishops of Scotland : Being Notes on the Lives of All the Bishops, under Each of the Sees, Prior to the Reformation, Glasgow: James Maclehose and Sons {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |editorlink= (help)
Oram, Richard, The Lordship of Galloway, (Edinburgh, 2000)
Watt, D. E. R., "Bishops in the Isles before 1203: Bibliography and Biographical Lists", in The Innes Review, Volume 45, 1994, pp. 99–119
Watt, D. E. R.; Murray, A. L., eds. (2003), Fasti Ecclesiae Scotinanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638, The Scottish Record Society, New Series, Volume 25 (Revised ed.), Edinburgh: The Scottish Record Society, ISBN0-902054-19-8, ISSN0143-9448
