in *Ecclesiastical History*, monkish priests who formerly inhabited Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Being remarkable for their religious exercises, they were called *cultores Dei*, worshippers of God; and hence the word Culdee appears to be derived. They made choice of one of their own fraternity to be their spiritual head, who was afterwards called the Scotch Bishop.

They disavowed the supremacy of the see of Rome, allowed the marriage of priests, denied the advantages of auricular confession, and gave instruction to youth in their seminaries or colleges. In Scotland their principal seats were Iona, Isle of St Serf in Loch Leven, Monymusk in Aberdeenshire, Dunkeld, Abernethy in Fifeshire, and St Andrews. They long maintained their independence, but at length were brought under the Papal yoke.