Monks and Bishops - Lismore 560-1560

The Isle of Lismore has a long reputation as a holy island, beginning with the foundation of a monastery by St Moluag in the sixth century, when it became a major centre of Christianity. The Roman Catholic Bishopric of Argyll was founded on Lismore in 1200, and the medieval Cathedral Church of St Moluag was completed in 1400, the choir of which forms the basis of the present-day parish church.Robert Hay tells the story of Moluag's monastery, recently rediscovered by community archaeology, before exploring the rise and fall of the Bishopric of Argyll: the roles of the bishops; the years of prestige when leading families invested in elaborately carved graveslabs; the lean years when finances were strained; the struggles through decades of war, civil unrest, despoliation, famine and plague; and the final withdrawal of the bishop from Lismore to Dunoon in the mid fifteenth century. Even at the physical fringes of Scotland and Europe, the diocese was deeply affected by events on the national and international scene, with a major impact on this site of an unbroken tradition of Christian worship.

About the author

Robert Hay spent his professional life as a professional agricultural and environmental scientist. After academic posts at Edinburgh, Lancaster and the Scottish Agricultural College, he was director of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency. He has lived full time on Lismore since 2006, where he is the archivist of the Historical Society.

Product details

• Authors: Robert Hay
• Publisher: BIRLINN LIMITED
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.05.2025
• EAN: 9781839830860
• ISBN: 978-1-83983-086-0
• No. of pages: 192
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; European History, HISTORY / General, RELIGION / History, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Archaeology, History of Religion, British & Irish history, Local History, c 1000 CE to c 1500, Social and cultural history, Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500, c 500 to c 1000 CE, Northern Scotland, Highlands & Islands, C 500 CE To C 1000 CE, Inner Hebrides