Isabella Hoppringle

Isabella Hoppringle (1460–1538), was a Scottish prioress and spy. She was the prioress of Coldstream Priory in 1505—1538.[1]

Belonging to a family who often provided prioresses to the priory in Coldstream, she was installed in the position in 1505.[2] She was a personal friend to the Scottish queen dowager regent, Margaret Tudor. As the monastery was near the border of England and Scotland, it was in the midst of the warfare between the nations in 1513. She skillfully managed to balance between the two nations to the benefit of the priory and was reputed as the best agent England had in Scotland. In 1538, she was succeeded as superior – and reputedly as agent – by her relative Janet Pringle.[3]

  1. ^ Ewan, E.L.; Innes, S.; Reynolds, S.; Pipes, R. (2007). Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. Edinburgh University Press. p. 399. ISBN 978-0-7486-2660-1. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  2. ^ Moffat, A. (2011). The Reivers: The Story of the Border Reivers. Birlinn. p. 235. ISBN 978-0-85790-115-6. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Isabella Hoppringle: Biography on Undiscovered Scotland". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 29 March 2019.