Bethóc, Prioress of Iona
Encyclopedia
Bethóc ingen Somairle was a 13th century prioress, considered to have been the first of Iona Nunnery
. She was a daughter of Somairle mac Gilla Brigte.
In about 1203, Bethóc's brother, Ragnall mac Somairle
, founded the Benedictine Iona Abbey
. Sometime afterwards, he founded the Augustinian nunnery on Iona. The precise foundation date of the Benedictine
and Augustinian houses are unknown. According to the Book of Clanranald, Bethóc was a "black nun", while the History of the MacDonalds states that she was prioress of Iona. That Bethóc was associated with Iona, as claimed by these clan-traditions, is corroborated by an inscribed stone on Iona. In about 1695, Martin Martin
described the Gaelic inscription to have read "Behag nijn Sorle vic Ilvrid priorissa" (which translates as "Prioress Bethóc, daughter of Somairle, son of Gilla Brigte"). The transcription was still legible in the 19th century. It has been suggested that Bethóc was the original owner of the Iona Psalter, now preserved in the National Library of Scotland
.
Iona Nunnery
The Iona Nunnery was an Augustinian convent located on the island of Iona in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. It was established sometime after the foundation of the nearby Benedictine monastery in 1203. Bethóc, daughter of Somerled, was first prioress. The ruins of the nunnery...
. She was a daughter of Somairle mac Gilla Brigte.
In about 1203, Bethóc's brother, Ragnall mac Somairle
Raghnall mac Somhairle
Ragnall mac Somairle, or Ragnall son of Somairle, was a late 12th century and possibly early 13th century magnate, seated on the western seaboard of Scotland. He was likely a younger son of Somairle mac Gilla Brigte, Lord of Argyll and his wife, Ragnhildr, daughter of Óláfr Guðrøðarson, King of...
, founded the Benedictine Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey is located on the Isle of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull on the West Coast of Scotland. It is one of the oldest and most important religious centres in Western Europe. The abbey was a focal point for the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland and marks the foundation of a monastic...
. Sometime afterwards, he founded the Augustinian nunnery on Iona. The precise foundation date of the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
and Augustinian houses are unknown. According to the Book of Clanranald, Bethóc was a "black nun", while the History of the MacDonalds states that she was prioress of Iona. That Bethóc was associated with Iona, as claimed by these clan-traditions, is corroborated by an inscribed stone on Iona. In about 1695, Martin Martin
Martin Martin
Martin Martin was a Scottish writer best known for his work A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland . This book is particularly noted for its information on the St Kilda archipelago...
described the Gaelic inscription to have read "Behag nijn Sorle vic Ilvrid priorissa" (which translates as "Prioress Bethóc, daughter of Somairle, son of Gilla Brigte"). The transcription was still legible in the 19th century. It has been suggested that Bethóc was the original owner of the Iona Psalter, now preserved in the National Library of Scotland
National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland is the legal deposit library of Scotland and is one of the country's National Collections. It is based in a collection of buildings in Edinburgh city centre. The headquarters is on George IV Bridge, between the Old Town and the university quarter...
.