SAINTS DAYS COMMEMORATED IN APRIL
1 April. St Gilbert of Caithness (died 1245)
Also known as Gilbert of Moravia (from Moray), Son of William, Lord of
Duffus & Strabrok. The family owned immense estates there and were Earls
of Sutherland. The diocese of Caithness was one of 13 medieval Scottish
bishoprics. The earlier Bishops resided at Halkirk with a castle at Scrabster.
Gilbert was made bishop by King Alexander I after his predecessor Adam
was murdered and moved the seat to Dornoch. Gilbert built the cathedral
there and was buried there, but died at Scrabster. His brother Richard, killed
in battle by Vikings, was also buried there. Gilbert was known to be a fine
preacher, established several hospices for the poor and did much to civilize
the diocese in turbulent times. He became the patron saint of the cathedral
and the diocese. His relics were venerated until the Reformation, with oaths
sworn by them until 1575. Folklore about him was collected in the 19 th
century, including a legend of him killing a dragon. He is the last Scottish
saint in the Calendar of Saints.
16 April St Magnus of Caithness and Orkney (died Easter 1116 or 17)
The Earl of Orkney
was a Norse Jarl
subject to the King of
Norway. In 1096 the
Earldom was divided
between 2 brothers,
Paul and Erland.
Magnus was Erland’s
oldest son. In 1098
the King sent both
Earls into exile and
replaced them with his
son Sigurd. Young
Magnus was taken on
a raid to Anglesey, but escaped and hid until the King died in 1102 and
Sigurd became King. Magnus and his cousin Haakon became Earls. They
ruled peacefully until 1114, but fell out. At Easter 1016 they were to have
come together for reconciliation, but Magnus was betrayed and captured by
his cousin, who had him executed. He was denied a Christian burial, but
miracles of healing soon started at the burial site. Bishop William supported
the cult for political reasons, he had the body transferred to Birsay, and later
to Kirkwall. In 1919 enshrined bones were found in a pillar of the cathedral,
but the wound in the head did not correspond with the Orkneyinga saga.
Earl Magnus Erlandson was canonised in 1136.
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