Abbot of Kelso
The Abbot of Kelso was the head of the Tironensian monastic community at Kelso Abbey in the Scottish Borders. The Abbey was originally founded at Selkirk in 1113 by David, Prince of the Cumbrians, and thus the first three Abbots were Abbots of Selkirk. The community was moved to Kelso by David and John, Bishop of Glasgow in 1127. The abbot was the first in Scotland to be granted the mitre in 1165. In the 16th century the monastery increasingly came under secular control, and finally in 1607 it was granted as a secular lordship to its last commendator, Robert Ker of Cesford, later Earl of Roxburghe. The following is a list of abbots and commendators:
List of abbots of Selkirk
Radulf, 1113–1116 x 1117William, 1118–1119Herbert, 1119–1127
List of abbots of Kelso
Herbert, 1127–1147. The same as the last abbot of Selkirk; became Bishop of Glasgow.Ernald, 1147–1160. Became Bishop of St Andrews.John, 1160–1180Osbert, 1180–1203. Previously Prior of Lesmahagow, a Kelso daughter-house.Geoffrey, 1203Richard de Cane, 1206–1208Henry, 1208–1218Richard, 1218–1221Herbert Maunsel, 1221–1239Hugh, 1236–1248Robert de Smalhame, 1248–1258Patrick, 1258–1260Henry de Lambden, 1260–1275J, 1281Richard, 1285–1299Thomas de Durham, 1299 x 1307. An English royal appointee. Later became Prior of Lesmahagow.Waleran, 1307–1311William de Alyncrome, 1317–1326William de Dalgarnock, 1329–1342Roger, 1351–1353William, 1353–1354William de Bolden, 1367–1372Patrick, 1392–1411William de Kelso, 1411–1426William, 1435–1447Richard Robson, 1456–1464George Bois, 1460William Bonkil, 1462Alan de Camera, 1464–1466Richard Robson, 1466–1468Richard Wylie, 1467Robert Ker, 1468–1506Richard Wylie, 1469–1473. Opposed election of Ker, but resigned his rights. Was Prior of Lesmahagow since 1469.George, 1476
List of commendators of Kelso
Andrew Forman, 1511. Also bishop of Moray, Commendator of May and Commendator of Dryburgh ; previously Commendator of Culross, later became Commendator of Arbroath, Archbishop of St Andrews and Commendator of Dunfermline.Andrew Stewart, 1511–1517. Bishop of Caithness, as Andrew Stewart I.Thomas Ker, 1513–1534James Stewart, 1534–1557. Bastard son of King James V of Scotland. Also Commendator of Melrose ; not to be confused with his brother and namesake, James Stewart, Earl of Moray.Louis de Guise, 1558–1559. Also Commendator of Melrose, succeeding James Stewart.William Ker I, 1559–1566John Maitland of Thirlstane, 1567. Became Prior of Coldingham in exchange with Francis Stewart I; later reasserted his right to Kelso Francis Stewart (I) the elder, 1567–1592Francis Stewart the younger, 1588William Ker II, 1588Robert Ker of Cesford, 1592