THE COMMENDATOR SYSTEM IN SCOTLAND

Abstract

In general, commendation in Scotland has not been given sufficient attention by historians. Its chronology, extent and effect on monastic life have not been adequately studied. Very little work has been done on the legal aspects, though the status and function of commendators were determined to a large extent by existing canon law and the terms of appointment. The simple and general statements often made have paid insufficient regard to what was a complex and rapidly changing state of affairs. Nor has it been seen in its European context. That commends were a grave evil and damaging to monasticism is beyond dispute. David Knowles described the system as 'a scourge'.1 The Benedictine historian, Philibert Schmitz, declared: 'Historians are unanimous in regarding commendam and the feudalisation of the abbeys in the middle ages as the two cruellest trials ever undergone by monastic life'.2 P. Cousin, in his compendious history, leaves no doubt that he viewed commendation as a pernicious abuse.3The works of Schmitz and Cousin are in fact indispensable for a study of medieval monasticism. David Knowles' short survey of European monasticism makes special acknowledgment of them, describing the former as entirely reliable if of necessity somewhat superficial, and the latter as rich in information and invaluable despite many small inaccuracies.4