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In medieval Ireland and Scotland the 'Co-arb' or 'Coarb' (alternately "comarba") was the president of a collegiate church (i.e. Celtic monastery following the Rule of St. Columba), who had the privilege of clerical orders and said mass ('serveth the cure'). As a successor of the founder of his order he had a seat in the mother church, a stall in the choir and a voice in the chapter. Although the Co-arb was in clerical orders, he was usually married, and if one of his sons was qualified by learning he would be chosen in time by the Dean and Chapter to be Co-arb. Thus the co-arbship was in a manner hereditary. After the Reformation and the Dissolution of the Monasteries the role of co-arb became subsumed in that of the parish vicar.

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★ How Clan McLea became Coarb of St Moluag