Biography
Gilbert of Caithness
About Gilbert of Caithness
Gilbert de Moravia became bishop of Caithness in the early 1220s. He moved the episcopal seat from Halkirk to Dornoch and financed the construction of a cathedral there.
Before becoming bishop, Gilbert served as archdeacon of Moray. C. L. Kingsford’s account identifies him in charters dating from 1203 to 1221. Kingsford also cautions against identifying him with a canon named Gilbert who spoke at Northampton in 1176, and finds no charter evidence for the claim that he was chamberlain of Scotland. These distinctions keep later additions to his reputation separate from the offices supported by records.
Gilbert’s parentage remains uncertain. The editor of the Moray register traces the proposed identification of his father to an anonymous marginal note. The surviving records establish his public career more clearly than his family background.
Accounts differ over the stages of his appointment. The cathedral history gives 1222 for his election, while Kingsford gives 1223. Archibald B. Scott distinguishes a local nomination in 1222 from confirmation at Rome in 1224.
Gilbert’s work included organizing the cathedral community. Scott describes a chapter of ten canons, with separate provision for its dean, precentor, chancellor, treasurer and archdeacon. The constitution assigned church revenues to support these responsibilities. The institution therefore required an arrangement for its continuing worship and administration as well as a new building.
The constitution also arranged for the canons to spend part of each year at the cathedral. Cosmo Innes’s account of the deed describes a half-year residence for the dean and three months for the other canons, with houses and plots of land provided at Dornoch. Priests or deacons were to serve in their places, according to their office. The church of Durness supplied support for light and incense. The abbot of Scone belonged to the chapter by right, but was exempt from residence. These provisions connected the cathedral’s daily worship with resources from across the diocese.
The cathedral’s history places its first service in 1239, while acknowledging uncertainty about when the building was fully completed.
The Martyrology recalls his provision of poorhouses.
Scott places Gilbert’s death at Scrabster Castle on April 1, 1245. His note acknowledges the competing year 1243 in the Icelandic annals and prefers the date transmitted by Sir Robert Gordon. Historian Tom Turpie gives 1242 in his discussion of Gilbert and Duthac. These accounts leave the precise year disputed.
The University of Glasgow’s study of Scottish saint commemorations records the use of Gilbert’s relics for oath-taking until 1545. It also identifies the cathedral’s name, Saint Gilbert’s Church, as a certain commemoration of him. His remembrance thus continued in both the church’s name and local religious practice.
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