Geoffrey of Canterbury - First Abbot of Dunfermline

First Abbot of Dunfermline

After receiving a blessing by Robert, Bishop of St Andrews, Geoffrey began his career as Dunfermline's abbot. During his abbacy, Geoffrey witnessed a great number of royal charters and King David persistently treated him with more respect that any other abbot — he was usually the first abbot to be named in any witness list. Despite initial problem with Causantín, the local mormaer, Geoffrey's abbacy was generally one of successful expansion of property in which numbers of English immigrants arrived to settle in and around the town of Dunfermline. During his abbacy the abbey was transformed from a small church establishment into a large Romanesque monastery, finally dedicated in 1150.

After this event in 1150, the abbot is not heard of again until the report of his death. The Chronicle of Holyrood recorded his death for the year 1154:

Geoffrey, the abbot of Dunfermline died; and his nephew Geoffrey succeeded in his place.

His death was reported for June 9, 1154. Abbot Geoffrey was buried in the abbey.