Saint Gilbert of Dornoch | |
|---|---|
 Stained glass of St Gilbert fromDornoch Cathedral,Scotland. | |
| Bishop | |
| Born | unknown Moray |
| Died | 1245 |
| Feast | 1 April |
| Patronage | Diocese ofDornoch |
Gilbert de Moravia (died 1245), later known asSaint Gilbert of Dornoch, orGilbert of Caithness, was the most famousBishop of Caithness and founder ofDornoch Cathedral. His name may suggest that he came from the semi-Gaelicized family ofFlemish origin who were Lords ofDuffus, and who during Gilbert's episcopate would create theEarldom of Sutherland under Gilbert's possible cousin,William de Moravia, 1st Earl of Sutherland.
It is known that Gilbert was the son of one Muiredach, son of Alexanderde Moravia ("ofMoray", thus indicating the ancestral home and not necessarily a family name). If Gilbert was of purelyGaelic origin, his name may be aFrancization of the Gaelic nameGille Brigte (modern:Gillebrìghde). Gilbert allegedly had a younger brother,Richard de Moravia, who was killed fighting against Scandinavians and whose effigy-sarcophagus currently resides in the cathedral. He is also known to have had an older brother John, and a younger brother, Simon.[1]
As his name indicates, Gilbert very likely came from Moray. The family owned extensive lands inDuffus andStrabok. Gilbert was for a long time the Archdeacon of theBishopric of Moray; it is probable that Gilbert was elected to the see sometime in the year 1223, in the presence of KingAlexander II of Scotland and his army. He was certainly bishop of Caithness by the summer of 1224. King Alexander probably decided that, after the murder of Gilbert's predecessorAdam of Melrose, the bishopric's seat (cathedra) should be moved closer to royal protection. So it was that Gilbert's episcopate saw the move of the bishopric fromHalkirk in the far north of the diocese toDornoch in the far south. It was to the new cathedral that, in 1239, Gilbert would move Bishop Adam's body. Gilbert nevertheless continued to reside for much of his episcopate in the more violent north, and maintained a palace atScrabster.
Gilbert's achievements include the building of thecathedral at Dornoch, and the establishment of several hospices for the poor.[2] He became known as a fine preacher, and he did much work to civilise his diocese.
Gilbert died in hispalace at Scrabster in 1245, traditionally on 1 April. The latter day is his feast day. He was buried at Dornoch, and his relics were venerated until theReformation, oaths being sworn on them at least until 1545.[2] He is the last Scottish saint to appear in theCalendar of Saints, although it is not known if he was ever formallycanonized.
Folklore surrounding St Gilbert was collected in Sutherlandshire in the late nineteenth century, including a legend of how he overcame a dragon—or salamander—that was terrorising the country.[3]
| Preceded by | Bishop of Caithness 1222x1224-1245 | Succeeded by William |
