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The Episcopal See of Brechin
was founded and endowed by Ring David I. about 1150.— Vide, “An Historical
Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops by the Right Reverend Robert Keith"
edition 1824, edited by Dr Russel of Leith, page 156. See also “History of
the Bishops of Brechin", contained in a manuscript history of the Scottish
bishops, in the Panmure charter-room, page 103. See likewise “The History of
the Church of Scotland," by Archbishop John Spotswood, edition 1655, page
108, who states the bishoprick of “Brichen" to have been founded about 1140.
See farther, “Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis,” in two quarto volumes,
printed in 1856, being a second contribution by the late Patrick Chalmers,
Esq., of Aldbar, to the Bannatyne Club, and in which, besides a full copy of
the register, a number of charters connected with the church of Brechin, are
printed from the charter-room of Brechin, from the cartulary of Arbroath,
and from various private cartularies, Mr Chalmers’s work is quoted as R E.
B.; and see also the preface by Cosmo Innes, Esq., to Mr Chalmers's
cartulary, quoted as “Innes Preface.” And finally, see in confirmation^
“Vetera Monumenta Hibemorum et Scot-orum Historiam Illustrantia, Quae ex
Vaticani, Neapolis ac Flor-entiae Tabularijs Depromsit et Ordine
Chronologico Disposuit, Augustinus Theiner, Presbyter Congregationis
Oratorij Collegij Theologorum Archigymnasij Romani, Academicae Pontificae
Ar-chseologiae, &c., &c.—Romae Typis Vaticanis 1864.”—Quoted as Theiner.
1. T. is the initial letter
of the name of the first bishop, 1155. Keith, page 156. We have considerable
doubts if there is not some mistake of dates, and whether Keith's Bishop T.
of 1155 is not Turpin of 1178; the more especially as Gregory {vide No. 6)
mentions all his other predecessors except this T. However, on the dicta of
Keith, and authorities referred to by him, we have placed T. as first bishop
of Brechin.
2. Sampson, 1157.—“Though he
be not found designed bishop of this see in King David's time, yet he is
bishop here in the time of King Malcolm IV.; and by a modest enough
computation he mijjht have been the first bishop preferred to the see, even
by good King David himself. He, Sampson, Episcopus Brechinensis, is a
witness to the charters of King Malcolm IV. to the priory of St Andrews
before the year 1158." Panmure manuscript, page 103. The register of St
Andrews makes Bishop Samsone witness to various deeds by King Malcolm and
others, after 1159, see pages 128, et seq. His name is written Sansane in a
charter in the archives of King's College, Aberdeen. Keith, page 560.
3. Turpin, 1178.—“When he was
invested in the bishoprick, he gave to the monks of St Thomas, of Arbroath,
the churches of Old Montrose and Carcaryn, pro salute animae suae.” Panmure
MS., page 103. Keith, page 157. Mr Chalmers, in his R. E B.f voL ii.,
prints, on page 255, a charter by this bishop to these monks of the
“ecclesiam de veteri Munros;’' on page 256, a charter of the “ecclesiam de
Cateryn and on page 258, a grant ot five churches, “ Deo et ecclesie sancti
Thome Martiris de Aber-brothoc et Monachis ibidem.” Turpin is mentioned in
various charters granted by his successors. There is a confirmation granted
by Turpin to the Abbey of Arbroath, signed before “ Hiis tertibus Hugone
Episcopo Sancti Andree: Bricio Priore Kele-deorum de Brechin” &c., R. E. B.,
voL ii., page 269; and a charter granted by him to the abbey of Arbroath of
a piece of land in Stracathro, signed before “ Bricio Priore de Brechin,
Gillefali Kelde, Bricio Capellano, Mathalan Kelde, Makbeth Maywen.*' R. E.
B., page 270.
4. Radulphus, 1202.—“He
confirmed to the abbey of Coupar the grants of his predecessor, Turpin, in
which deed, William de Bosco, who was chancellor both to King William and
his son, Alexander II., is a witness. He died anno 1218.” Keith, page 158.
Panmure MS., page 104. “Randulfo electo de Brechin,” along with Matthew,
Bishop of Aberdeen, who died in 1199, is witness to an agreement between the
canons and culdees of St Andrews. See R. E. B. in confirmation, grant by
this bishop to the Abbey of Arbroath of the church of Old Montrose, Vol.
ii., page 255; and on page 257 a grant by the bishop to the same abbey of
the church of “ Dunnechtyn,” while other charters by the same bishop are
enumerated, pages 258 to 270. Bishop Kandulph is also alluded to iu charters
granted by his successors.
5. Hugo, 1218.—He is said to
have been contemporary with Robert, elect of Ross, regarding whose own
incumbency there are considerable doubts. Hugo is also said to have been
cotemporary with Adam, Bishop of Caithness, who died 1222. Keith, page J58,
206. The Panmure MS. takes no notice either of this Hugo or of Robert Mar,
whom the chronicles of Aberbrothick, according to Keith, state to have been
bishop of Brechin in 1219. Hugo, according to Keith’s version of the
chronicles of Melrose, “obijt Episcopus Brechinen, anno 1218, cui successit
Gregorius arch-deaconns ejusdem episcopatus,” and Gregory notices Hugo
amongst his predecessors. Hence, we infer that Hugo was only a short time
incumbent, and that Robert had never actually been consecrated bishop. In
the R. E. B. Bishop Hugh is mentioned, voL ii. pages 256, 259, 261, 270, and
271, in various grants by him to the abbey of Arbroath, the last deed, as
well as some others, being witnessed by “Mallebryd Priore Keledeorum
nostrorum ” Bishop Hugh is also mentioned in charters by his successors.
6. Gregory, 1219.—"How long
he sate, or when he died, I have not been able to discover.” Panmure MS.,
page 104. “ He makes mention of Turpin, Radulphus, and Hugo,
his.predecessors.” Keith, page 158. “He was bishop sometime after the
thirty-second year of King Alexander II,” or 1246 ; Nisbet's Heraldry,
appendix, page 247. He, Turpin, Ralph, and Hugh, his predecessors, are all
mentioned in an ordinance by his successor, Albin, R. E. B. ii. 264. He is
farther alluded to, pages 256, 260, 270, and 271, and the Pope's mandate for
his election is given, page 387, R E. B. ii. This mandate is given by
Theiner, page 8.
Gilbert, 1247.—“ From the
authority of the Chronicles of Melrose, died in the 1249.” Panmure MS., page
104. Keith, page 159.
Robert, 1249.—Archdeacon of
Brechin,.succeeded Gilbert, " but died soon after/* Panmure MS., page 104.
The Melrose Chronicle is the
only authority for these two bishops, and from what is stated after, under
the head of Albin, it is pretty plain that the Melrose Chronicle is in
error. We therefore omit both Gilbert and Robert from our list.
7. Albin, 1247.—He u is one
of the judges in a solemn arbitration betwixt the convent of Arbroath and
Sir Peter de Maulia, Lord of Panmure, and Christiana de Valonijs, Lady
Panmure, his wife, about the lands of Brakis and Bothmernock, lying in the
lordship of Panmure, anno 1254. The bishop died in the 1269.” Panmure MS.,
page 104. “ He would appear to have been bishop here within the rein of King
Alexander III., (1249-85,) since he is witness to William of Brechin, bis
foundation of the *Maison de Dieu" in Brechin for the souls of William and
Alexander, kings of Scotland.” Keith, page 159. This charter is printed by
Mr Chalmers in his R. E. B., voL i. page 4. Spotswood says, page 108, “
Urwardus, or Edwardus, lived about the year 1260, a monk at first at Couper
in Angus, a man very zealous in his calling; for it is testified of him,
that he went on foot through the whole kingdom with one Eustathius, abbot of
Aberbrothock, preaching the gospel wheresoever he came. Albinus, after him,
was bishop some few years.” On the margin, however, Spotswood remarks,
“Since the writing of this catalogue I have found four bishops succeeding
Edwardus, one after another, Turpinus, Rodolphus, Hugo, and Gregorius, but
how long they sate bishops I cannot say.” Spotswood gives no authority for
his Urwardus, nor can we find his name in any document whatever connected
with the see of Brechin at this period. Mr Chalmers prints, R. E. B., vol.
ii. page 262, an agreement between Bishop Albin and his chapter and the
abbot and monks of Arbroath, and an ordinance by Bishop Albinus, following
thereupon, both dated, " Millesimo ducentesimo quadragesimo octavo, mense
Septembris, decimo Kalendarum Octo-bris.” In the latter of these documents
the bishop enumerates his predecessors, Turpin, Ralph, Hugh, and Gregory; so
it admits of grave doubts whether Gilbert or Robert were ever in the see of
Brechin. This doubt is strengthened by a bull of Pope Innocent IV., (R. E.
B., ii. 388,) dated at Lyons in the fourth year of the Pope's consecration,
1247, directing inquiry into the life and learning of Albinus, preceptor of
the church of Brechin, who had been elected bishop by the canons of that
see, but who was bom of unmarried parents, and directing Albinus,
notwithstanding, to be installed bishop if found worthy. Theiner, page 48,
gives the dispensation for Albinus’s illegitimacy.
8. William de Kilconcath,
1269.—“ Whom the Chronicle of Melross calls Lator Fratrum Predicatorum de
Perth. Bishop Spotswood says he was Dean of Brechin, but from what authority
I know not. He says also this prelate died going to Rome in the year 1275.”
Panmure MS., page 105. Spotswood, page 108. Kilconcath was alive in 1276,
and is cited as testifying the authenticity of a bull of Innocent III., in
Lyon’s “ History of St Andrew’s,” voL ii. page 277. Likely, Kilconcath is
the William whom Thiener, page 106, makes bishop here in 1275. Thiener, page
109f gives, M Computus decimre crucis in regno Scotise collecte,” and page
112, “ CoUectio decime in Episcopatu Breky-nensi pro primo anno/' “ Summa
48, lib. 13, soL 10 den. ob.” This is in 1275.
9. Edward, 1276.—Spotswood is
inclined to place this bishop after Sampson, but Keith introduces him after
William de Kilconcath, “ merely,” he says, “ that I may not omit him
altogether/' page 160. The Panmure MS. omits Edward, and Robert to be just
noticed, and thus leaves a hiatus of 15 years. We, therefore, think Keith’s
hypothesis the correct one, and adopt Edward as the ninth bishop of Brechin,
and place him in 1276, for the reason given by Mr Lyon, as above.
Robert, 1284.—"Robert,
formerly archdeacon of this see, was bishop thereof in the year 1284.”
Keith, page 160. We can find no trace of such a bishop.
10. William, 1286-1290.—“Was
one of the Scotch clergy who addressed King Edward of England, that the
prince, his son, might marry Margaret, the young Queen of Scotland, whereby
the two crowns might be unite into one monarchy.” Panmure MS., page 105.
Keith, page 160. Mr Innes, in his preface to Mr Chalmers’s “Registrum,”
says, page 8, “William, Bishop of Brechin, granted an indulgence at Durham,
on 16th August 1286, and William was bishop in 1290 ; *Rites of Durham" page
135." In 1286, the States of Scotland sent the Bishop of Brechin, the Abbot
of Jedburgh, and Geoffrey de Mowbray, as ambassadors to Edward, requesting
his advice and mediation towards composing the troubles of the kingdom which
had arisen during the minority of Margaret, the maiden of Norway, the
granddaughter of Alexander III. Thiener, page 149, makes William bishop here
in 1289.
11. Nicholas, 1295.—No trace
of him is to be found amongst the Records of Brechin; but Theiner, page 160,
gives a bull by Pope Boniface, confirming Nicholas as bishop in the see of
Breehin, dated, “vii. KaL Februarij Pontificatus nostri anno sec undo,"
1296. This Pope Boniface proclaimed that “God had set him over kings and
kingdoms,” imprisoned his predecessor Celestine V., and laid France and
Denmark under interdict.
12. John de Kinninmttnd,
1298-1304.—“Of an ancient family of that name and designation in the shire
of Fife was bishop here 22d October 1304. He is bishop before the year 1309,
and in the year 1309 he is one of the bishops who, solemnly under their
seals, recognise King Robert Bruce’s title to the crown of Scotland. In the
year 1311, he appends his seal, together with Nicholas, Bishop of Dunblane,
to a solemn agreement betwixt the Abbots of Cambuskenneth and Coupar. He is
bishop here in the year 1313, also the same person is bishop anno 1321,
likewise in the 7th and 16th years of Robert I., and anno 1323, and he is
witness to King Robert’s confirmation of the monastery of Aber-brothock.”
Keith, page 160. Panmure MS., page 105. He is a party to an agreement with
the monastery of Arbroath in 1304. R. E. B., vol. ii; page 266. The name is
sometimes written KinninmuniA. He obtained from King Robert, in 1310, a
charter relieving the Church property of all secular services, R. E. B., ii.
4. Thiener, page 164, gives a confirmation by Pope Boniface VIII. of the
election of Bishop John in 1298.
13. Adam, 1328.—“Adam is
bishop here anno 1329. Adam was bishop here anno 1338. He is witness to King
David’s confirmation of the monastery of Arbroath, anno reg. 13, item anno
reg. 15, i.e., anno doinini 1342 and 4. Adam, Bishop of Brechin, is witness,
together with ‘ David de Barclay, Malcolmo de Ramsay, Vice-comite de Angus,
Joanne de Straton, Waltero de Allardes.’ Now, this David Barclay seems to
have been the last laird of Brechin, who was murthered in the year 1348.
Bishop Adam was employed in several embassies into England, towards the
facilitating of King David’s redemption, who had been taken prisoner at the
unfortunate battle of Durham, anno 1346. Edward seems to have treated this
bishop with more favour than he showed to the other ambassadors, as a proof
of which we may mention that he bore his expenses when in England. Rot.
Scot., 20: Mar. 16., Ed. III. The same prelate appears to have been an agent
in the dark negotiations of the degenerate David II. with Edward III. See
particularly, Rot Scotiae, 26th Jul. 34, ed. iil” Keith, page 161. David de
Barclay, alluded to by Keith, must have been the first Barclay of Brechin,
as he left a son who was alive in 1364 ; " He died in, or about the year
1350." Panmure MS., page 106. There is some confusion regarding this bishop,
which is by no means cleared up by the charter, dated in 1360, referred to
by Dr Russell, (page 561,) said to have been granted by David II. to Bishop
Leuchars; but Mr Innes, in his preface to the R. E B., (page viii,) says, “
By a clerical error in our register a precept of David II., in the 31st year
of his reign, (1359,) is made to be directed to Adam, instead of Patrick,
Bishop of Brechin, Chancellor, and on that authority Spottiswoode has
erroneously stated that Adam was Chancellor of Scotland/’ Mr Chalmers prints
a charter granted by this bishop in 1348. R. E. B. i., 10. There is, R. E.
B., ii. 389, a bull by Pope John, dated 31st October 1328, apparently
confirming Bishop Adam in the see, but in reality claiming the right to
nominate the bishop, and the same Pope by subsequent documents claims the
same right in regard to the canons. Theiner, page 242, shows Bishop Adam to
have been appointed in 1328 by this Pope John XXII. without an election of
the chapter.
14. Philip, 1350.—He was
bishop on 16th March 1350, for he of that date granted a charter to Heliscus
Faucunur of certain subjects in Montrose, and this deed is No. 6 of the
documents in the Brechin charter-chest, and a beautifully written little
deed it is. Mr Chalmers gives a fac-simile of the charter, R. E. B., ii. 6.
“ Philip is in this see, 1351.” Keith, page 162. Pope Clement VI. following
up the practice of Pope John just alluded to, by a bull, dated 20th February
1350, of new appointed Philip to the office of bishop, R. E. B., ii 393.
Theiner notices this, page 292. Bishop Philip is witness,* 1353, to a
charter by David II. to Alexander Berkley of Wester Mathers. Spalding
Miscellany, Vol. v. pp. 248, 249.
15. Patrick de Leuchabs,
1354.—“ Descended of an ancient family in the shire of Fife, had been rector
of Tinningham in East Lothian, (charta penes dominum de Cardross nunc
comitem de Buchan,) was invested in the see of Brechin anno 1354, and some
time after was made Lord High Chancellor of the kingdom. He was also much
employed in treating about the redemption of King David II., and in
adjusting the several payments of his ransom. He was both bishop and
chancellor, anno reg. 29, i.e., anno domini 1358, Nov. 12, it. Nov. 18, also
anno reg. 30. He was bishop and chancellor in the thirty-first and
thirty-fourth years of David II. He was chancellor anno 1360, bishop and
chancellor anno 1362. He was bishop anno 28 and 36, David II., and bishop
and chancellor July 4, anno reg. 39, and bishop anno 40. In the year 1370,
he resigned his office of chancellor, at least it is certain that he had
made this resignation some time before the death of King David. He is bishop
in the first, second, and third years of King Robert II., anno reg. 3, and
he was bishop, and present in parliament 1373.,, Keith, page 162. Tytler’s
Hist, of Scotland, voL ii. pp. 84,95. “Soon after Bishop Leuchars'a
advancement, he was promoted to be Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, and is
so designed in a confirmation to him by K. David of Walterus de Maulia,
dominus de Panmure, charter of his lands of Cairncorthy, and chaplanary of
Boath to the Episcopal see of Brechin, 20th Nov. 1360, which office he held
for the space of sixteen years, till the 1370, he resigned the great seall,
which was, by King David II., given to Dr John Carrick, chanon of Glasgow,
and keeper of the privy seal, and the bishop died soon thereafter, though he
had the happiness before his death to see King Robert II. peaceably settled
on the throne; his death happened about the year 1375. In the 1374 he is
then alive; the bishop is witness to a resignation of lands by Sir Malcolm
Fleming to the Earl of Douglas/" Panmure MS., page 106. There is a
declaration by Bishop Leuchars regarding the number and rights of the
benefices of the church of Brechin, dated in 1372. R. E. B., i. 19. Bishop
Patrick is witness to a charter by David II., in 1360, to the abbey of
Dunfermline, and “ Patricio Epo Brechinen, cancellario nostro/1 is witness
to a charter by David II. to the burgh of Inverness, dated at Perth, 3d
March “anno regni nostri quadragesimo.” Pope Clement, who is described as “
a learned prelate, a generous prince, and amiable man,*' but who,
notwithstanding seems to have been an ambitious man, by a bull, dated 17th
Nov. 1352, (quoted R. E. B., ii 394, and noticed by Theiner, page 299,)
adopts, with Bishop Leuchars, the very same course he had pursued with his
predecessor, Bishop Philip, no doubt thereby strengthening the power of the
Church of Rome. Leuchars was one of the committee of parliament, appointed
in 1369, to deliberate and give judgment upon all such judicial questions
and complaints as necessarily came before parliament. Tytler’s History of
Scotland, vol. ii. page 155. And the Bishop was indeed an active politician
during the whole reign of David II. Tytler passim.
16. Stephen, 1375.—* To
Bishop Leuchars succeeded Stephen, archdean of Brechin, who sate bishop of
this see anno 1384, and he discharged the office of his function till his
death in 1401.” Panmure MS., page 106. At request of Sir David Lindsay of
Glenesk, this bishop, on 23d February 1384, erected the church of Lethnot
into a prebendary, with power to the prebend thereof to be a canon of the
cathedral church of Brechin, and to have a stall in the choir, and a place
in the chapter. R. E. B., i. 21, et ii. 8. In the Spalding Miscellany, voL
v. page 319, there is an abstract of a charter before 1399 by Keith, Earl
Marischall, to William Lyndesey, in which Stephen, Bishop of Brechin, is a
witness.
17. Walter Forrester,
1401.—“Of the family of Cardin in Stirlingshire, was first a canon of the
church of Aberdeen; next was made Secretary of State, and then promoted to
the see of Brechin, in which he was a bishop as early as the year 1401. He
was bishop here anno 1405 and 1408. He was bishop anno 1413, it. anno 8vo. ‘
Roberti Gubern.' As also 15th Januarij 1415.” Keith, page 163. On 9th Nov.
1409, this bishop obtained from Sir John Erskine of Dun a grant of certain
services payable by the church of Brechin to him, for the lands of
Ecclesjohn, now called Langley Park. Cartulary of Brechin, No. 24, ratified
by the Duke of Albany in 1410. R E. B., i. 32. There is a presentation
addressed to this bishop by the Earl of Crawford, by which the earl requests
the bishop to examine his beloved cousin, Andrew de Ogilvy, clerk of the
diocese of Dunkeld, as to his knowledge and morals, and thereafter to admit
him to the prebendary of Lethnot, and to a stall in the cathedral church of
Brechin, 6th December 1410. R E. B., i. 29. On 30th June 1413, Bishop
Forrester obtained a precept from Robert, Duke of Albany, addressed to the
Sheriff of Kincardineshire, for the enforcement of certain “ wards, reliefs
and marriages, fines and escheats,” from that county; and this precept is
enforced by subsequent similar writings down to 1417. R E. B., L 35, et seq.
He assisted at a general council of the clergy held at Perth, 16th July
1420. R E, B., i 38. Dr Russell says, page 561, “ He occurs, 16th July 1420,
in Reg. Eccl. Brechin, f. lxii.” “ How long he sate, or when his death
happened no authority has occurred to me that makes it clear." Panmure MS.,
page 107. Mr Chalmers, R. E. B., ii. page 273, prints, from the Findowry
charter-room, a charter by this bishop to “ Willelmo Lam ” of some property
in Brechin, dated 10th May 1420, “ et consecrationis nostre anno decimo.”
G., 1424.—“Dominus G. is
Bishop of Brechin in the year 1424, but what name thi3 initial letter stands
for, I do not pretend to say.” Keith, page 163. There is no trace of any
such bishop amongst the papers belonging to the burgh of Brechin, nor does
the Panmure MS. notice him, neither does Spotswood. The Right Reverend
Alexander Penrose Forbes, D.C.L., present Bishop of Brechin, who has kindly
revised this list, says, “ G. is certainly. Gualterus, and means Walter
Forrester." We are quite of his opinion.
18. John de Carnoth, 1429.—He
“ was bishop of this see when he accompanied Princess Margaret, daughter of
King James I., into France, in order to be espoused to Lewis XI., then
dauphin of that kingdom, anno 1435. John is bishop here anno 1449. John,
bishop of this see, was sent into England, on an embassy with divers others,
anno 1450. He is also mentioned April 18, 1451” Keith, page 163. The
Cartulary of Brechin, No. 40, R E. B., ii. 23, proves that John was bishop
of this see on 4th September 1429. On 20th October of that year Walter,
Palatine of Strathearn, with consent of .John, Bishop of Brechin, confirms
to the chapter of Brechin the right of patronage of the parish of Cortachie,
R. E. B.f i. 46, et ii. 24, 28. “ He is styled conservator privilegi-orum
ecclesie Scoticane,” says Dr Russel, page 561. The name of John Crannoch,
Bishop of Brechin, occurs in a great variety of papers, connected with the
burgh, down to the 17th November 1453. Brechin Cartulary No. 27. He
regulates the payment to be made by each official for the maintenance of the
vestments in 1435. R. E. B., ii 40. He died August 1456, vide chronicles of
King James II. Dr Russel says, “ The following is an entry under the year
1456 in the brief chronicle of the reign of King Janies II. at Auchinleck.
Itm yt samyn zer and moneth (August) decessit i. Brechyne mast. Jhone Crenok,
Bischop of Brechyne, yt was callit a gud actif man and all his tyme wele
gouvnands.”
19. George Sherswood,
1454.—“Chancellour of Dunkeld and secretarie to King James II. This prelate
was a son of Sherswood of Bettshiell, in Berwickshire; being bred a
churchman, his first station in the Church was rector of Cultar, anno 1449.
JMr Sherswood being a learned and mettled man, King James made him first one
of his clerks, and after that his secretarie. In the 1453 he was made
chancellour of Dunkeld, and in the 1454 was sent upon an embassy to England;
soon after his return he was promoted to be chancellour of Scotland, in the
1455, (? 1458,) and he held the office till the death of the king in 1460.
How long Bishop Sherswood lived thereafter, the records of the see being
defective, I cannot be positive." Panmure MS. page 108. Noticed by Keith,
page 164 “ In his time was the church of Fun-aven made one of the chapter.”
Spotswood, page 108. This scarce seems correct; see Bishop Balfour, No. 24
Bishop Sherswood’s name only occurs once in the Cartulary of Brechin, on
19th April 1458, No. 128. Dr Russel says, page 562, “ George, bishop of
Brechin, chancellor of Scotland, occurs 19tb April 1448, in reg. eccL
Brechin, f. 99.” The learned doctor is ten years wrong here, for the charter
referred to above is printed, R. K B., i. page 184i, and the date is clearly
1458. There is also an instrument taken in presence of “ Johannes de
Schoriswod, pater germanus, Georgij Episcopi Brechinensis Cancellarij Scotie
et Magister David de Guthrye de Kincaldrum Camerarij predict Domini Episcopi,”
and dated 28th January 1459, R. E. B., i. 188. He is mentioned as “ Georgio
Episcopo Brechinensis Cancellario Scotie,” in 1457, in a process regarding
the earldom of Mar. Spalding Miscellany, voL v. pages 264-5. It is very
evident that Keith is wrong when he introduces Robert as Bishop of Brechin
in 1456, for then there was no room for Bishop Sherswood, regarding whose
consecration there can be no doubt. Keith, speaking of this Bishop Robert,
says, page 163, “ As he is not in any former list of the bishops of this
see, I can say no more of him, but that he might have died this year, and
his successor been in the see in the course of the same.” But it would
appear this could not be, for Sherswood was appointed coadjutor in 1448,
while Carnock was alive. Besides, there is no mention of this Bishop Robert
in the Cartulary of Brechin, nor does the Panmure MS. take any notice of
him. Spotswood also omits him. Robert de Crannoch, chanter of Brechin, on
9th October 1453, has an instrument in his favour, most beautifully written,
No. 125 Brechin Cartulary; R E. B., ii. 94, and is witness to an obligation,
granted by the chaplains of the cathedral church of Brechin to Robert Hill
on 3d Nov. 1453 ; No. 126 of Brechin Cartulary, R. E. B., ii. 195. Could Sir
Robert Crannoch be the person whom Keith calls Bishop Robert ? Mr Chalmers,
R. E. B., ii. 273-5, prints from the Findowry Cartulary two charters by
Bishop George, dated, the first in 1457, the second in 1461, " et
consecrationes nostre anno septimo,” proving Bishop Sherswood to have been
consecrated in 1454; and page 383, he gives an agreement with the town
council of Montrose, dated 13th May 1462, signed, “Georgius Brechinen,”
proving Sherswood to have been then in the see.
20. Patrick Graham, 1462.—He
was son to Lord Graham, by Lady Mary Stewart, daughter to King Robert III.,
and hence he was nephew to King James I. Keith, page 164. Panmure MS., page
108. This remarkable lady gave birth to James Kennedy who was the last
Bishop of St Andrews, and to Patrick Graham, who, in 1466, was made the
first -4rcA-bishop of that diocese, Lady Mary Stewart was four times
married:—First, to the Earl of Angus, by whom she had two sons, William and
George Douglas, who successively became Earls of Angus. Second, to Sir James
Kennedy of Dunmure, by whom she had two sons, James, the last Bishop of St
Andrews; and Gilbert, afterwards created Lord Kennedy, the ancestor of the
Marquis of Ailsa. Third, to Lord Graham of Dundresmore, by whom she had two
sons, James Graham, the first Lord of Fintray; and Patrick Graham, the
Bishop of Brechin and Archbishop of St Andrews. And fourth, to Sir William
Edmiston of Culloden. There is in the Cartulary of Brechin a precept
addressed to Bishop Graham by King James III., dated 2d January 1463,
printed by Mr Chalmers, R E. B., ii. 100, in which his Majesty enjoins the
bishop to revoke the grants of lands improperly made by his predecessors.
Bishop Graham was translated to the see of St Andrews in 1466, and, as
already said, was the first <4rcA-bishop of that diocese, having procured
from the Pope, Sixtus the Fourth, a bull erecting the see of St Andrews into
an archbishopric, and enjoining the twelve bishops of Scotland to be subject
to that see in all time coming, an honoar which involved Grahajn in
difficulties pecuniary and political He died in 1479, in Lochleven Castle, a
prisoner. Buchanan, who is no ways favourable to the Romish clergy, gives a
long account of the persecutions to which Graham was subjected by the King,
jealous of his appointment by the Pope, to the office of legate for
Scotland, and by the clergy who feared his integrity and strictness, and
Buchanan winds up by saying, “Thus perished a man, blameless in his life,
and in learning and courage inferior to none of his cotemporaries.” B. 12, §
333-335.
21. John Balfoub,
1466.—“John, Bishop of Brechin, chancellor, occurs 6th September, a. r. Jac.
Ill, 21 Reg, Eccl. Brechin, f. liii., and previously John is mentioned as
Bishop of Brechin, 17th February 1466-7, ibid. £ cxxii” Russel, page 562. He
“ was bishop of this see, anno 1476, and assisted in the consecration of
Bishop Livingstone of Dunkeld. He was bishop in the year 1470, and John was
also bishop in the year 1501.” Keith, page 164. Panmure MS., page 108.
Amongst the records of Brechin, there is a charter, dated 13th September
1474, by which John, Bishop of Brechin, with consent of David, Earl of
Crawford, patron of the church of Finhaven, erects that parish church into a
prebend of Brechin. R E. B., i. 196. There is also amongst these records a
decree of the Lords of Council and Session, 30th June 1477, at the instance
of John, Bishop of Brechin, against George, Earl of Rothes, for the teind-duty
of the earl’s lands in the Meams. R. E. B., i. 199 et seq. et il 276. While
yet only elect, Pope Paul ii., in 1465, granted Balfour a dispensation to
hold in commendam, along with his bishopric, the parish church of Conveth,
now Laurencekirk. R. E. B. ii. 413. About 1491, Glasgow was erected into an
archbishopric, and then Dunkeld, Dunblane, Brechin, Aberdeen, Moray, Ross,
Caithness, and Orkney, were made subject to St Andrews; while Galloway,
Argyle, and the Isles, were put under the jurisdiction of Glasgow; St
Andrews still retaining the primacy. Lyon's History of St Andrews, voL i.
pages 241, 242.
22. William Meldbum,
1494-1500.—Keith says, “Walter Meldrum, at what time he came to be bishop,
or how long he sat in this see, does not as yet appear by any proper voucher
that 1 have chanced to meet with. The chronology, however, rather requires
that some person should be in this see between John Balfour and the next
bishop,” page 165. Dr Russel says, “ William, anno 1511, omitted by Keith,”
page 561 ; and he adds, page 562, “ William, Bishop of Brechin, previously
occurs, viz., 6th May, anno 1500, and 29th June 1505, in Reg. Ec. Brechin,
f. xiv., and f. xlvi.” "The Panmure MS. remarks, page 108, “ William
Meldrum; how long he lived bishop does not appear.” Amongst the Brechin
papers there is an obligation by Gaspar Boncian, merchant in Florence, dated
at Antwerp, 4th June 1488, to the chapter of the cathedral church of
Brechin, by which he obliges "himself, in consideration of the sum of 200
ducats of Flanders, to proceed to the Court of Rome for the purpose of
obtaining two bulls expede by the Pope, relating to the appointment of Sir
William Meldrum, Vicar of Brechin, to the see of Brechin, in the event of
the resignation or decease of John, now bishop thereof." R. E. B., ii. J 24.
There is also a procuratory extant, dated 6th October 1490, but altered by
interlineations to 21st March 1495, R. E. B., ii. 134, by William, Bishop of
Brechin, empowering Sir Robert Keith, professor of theology, and others, to
compear before Pope Alexander VI. at Rome, and to present to him an
application in name of the bishop, in order to obtain his confirmation in
the see. Subsequently there are various documents in name of Bishop William;
in 1497, regarding a dispute with John Dempster of Ouchterless; in 1500,
anent a controversy with the Laird of Pitarro; in 1505, in a charter of
lands to the Church by the Duchess of Montrose ; in 1506, 1507, and 1508, in
several deeds; and finally, in 1512, in a charter by Gilbert Strachan, of
certain lands to the Church, “ for the safety (or good estate) of the souls
of the right reverend Lord, Lord Stewart, late Archbishop of St Andrews, and
also of Lord William, present bishop of Brechin,” &c. R. E. B., i. 218, et
seq., ii 131, et seq.t item 277. There can, consequently, be no doubt that
William, and not Walter, was bishop during this period. In confirmation of
all this, it may be remarked that Mr Chalmers prints, from the Findowry
charter-chest, two charters by William, Bishop of Brechin, one in 1500 and
the other in 1510, R. E. B., ii. 277-8; from the Dun charter-chest, an
assedation by the same bishop, dated in 1509, page 304 ; from the Kinnaird
charter-room, a deed by Bishop William in 1512, “ et nostre consecrationis
anno xxiiijV' page 298; and from the Register of the Privy Seal, page 385, a
discharge granted by the same bishop, 30th May 1511; and again from the
Carres-ton charter-chest in 1552, and the 31st year of his consecration. R
E. B., ii 310. See also discharge to the Laird of Arbuthnot, dated 31st May
1511. R. E. B., ii. 385. In the folio volume of “ The Acts of the Lords of
Council and Session in Civil Causes for 1494,” we find, page 355, under date
4th July, that the Lords decreet that "William Fresale of Durris does wrong
in the detention and withholding from a reverend father in God, William,
Bishop of Brechin, of the second teind of his relief of the lands of Durris,
owing to the said bishop and the kirk of Brechin.” We therefore put Bishop
Meldrum’s election to the see of Brechin in 1494, certain it had then
occurred, if it had not taken place sooner.
23. John Hepburn, 1517.—He
was descended of the family of Bothwell, and was one of the bishops who
recognised the Earl of Arran’s right to the regency in 1543. He died in the
month of August 1558. Keith, page 165. Panmure MS., 108. There are documents
extant in the records of Brechin, in which this bishop’s name is mentioned,
from the 1518 to the 1556. R. E. B. ii 173, et seq. From the Findowry
charter-chest, Mr Chalmers gives a charter by this bishop, granted, with
consent of his chapter on 19th August 1547, “et consecrationis nostro anno
vicesimo quarto,” R E. B., ii. 234, and from the Kinnaird charter-room, he
gives a deed, dated 1556, "et nostre consecrationis anno xxx° tertio,” R E.
B., ii. 300. This bishop therefore had been consecrated in 1523. From the
Dun charter-chest, Mr Chalmers prints a deed in favour of Bishop John, dated
in 1556, R E. B., ii. 304 ; and from the Careston Cartulary, a charter,
dated in 1552, R E. B. ii 316. He was one of the bishops who put his hand to
the sentence against Patrick Hamilton in 1527. Spotswood, 63.
Donald Campbell, 1558.—“ Mr
Donald Campbell, a sou of the family of Argyle, was destined his successor
by the court here, and, no doubt, was elected by the chapter; and therefore
Bishop Leslie says, that the Abbot of Coupar did succeede Bishop Hepburn of
Brechin. But his election being cass'd at Rome, in regard Mr Campbell had
renounced Popery and turned Protestant, he was so modest as never to use the
title of bishop, but only Abbot of Coupar, and was one of the clergy who
sate in the parliament 1560, where the reformation of religion received the
first legall sanction, and the Pope’s authority was abolished; he died Lord*
Privy Seall to Queen Mary in the end of the 1562, whereupon the bishopric of
Brechin was given by Queen Mary to a person who was much more acceptable to
her Majesty than the other, by reason of his zeal for the Boman Catholic
religion.', Panmure MS., page 109. Keith, page 165. There is no trace of
Campbell amongst the Brechin papers, nor does Mr Chalmers give any document
bearing his name.
24. John Sinclair, 1563.—“Mr
John Sinclair, Dean of Res-talrig, and a brother of the house of Roslyn,
being a person learned in the civil and canon law, he was made one of the
Lords of the Sessione, and after that president of the Sessione, and he
continued in his office till his death in Apryle 1565.” Panmure MS., page
109. Keith, page 165. Buchanan reports Sinclair as one of those who advised
Queen Mary to adopt extreme measures against the reformers, B. 17, § 7.
Queen Mary and Darnley were married by the Bishop of Brechin at the
chapel-royal, Holyrood, on Sunday, 29th July 1565. It is said Bishop
Sinclair was blind of one eye. Slaines MS. He is mentioned R. E. B., ii.
328. He died 9th April 1566, “ betwixt thre and foure houris in the morning,
in James Mosmanis hous in Frosteris Wynd, within Edinburgh.” Diurnal of
Ocurrents, page 98.
REFORMATION.
25. Alexander Campbell,
1566.—“This gentleman was a younger brother of James Campbell of Arkinglass,
who was comptroller of Scotland in the minority of King James VI. Being
educated with a view to the Church before the Reformation, he was made
provost of St Giles, in Edinburgh, anno 1554, upon the resignation of Robert
Crichton, Bishop of Dunkeld. Seeing how matters went at the time of the
Reformation, he turned with the times, and became a Protestant By the
recommendation of bis chief, the Earl of Argyle, he had a grant of the
bishopric, with a power which, I believe, was never given to any bishop of
the Christian Church but himself, at least, so far as my reading has led me,
which was, 'cum potestate disponendi beneficium infra totum diocesin.’ Mr
Campbell, seeing Episcopacy near abolished after the Reformation, he made
use of that power and faculty the Queen had invested him with, and
accordingly alienated most part of the lands and titles of the bishopric to
his patron, the Earl of Argyle, who had got him preferred to the benefice,
reserving to himself and his successors scarce so much as was a moderate
enough competency for a minister at Brechin. He long while discharged the
office of particular pastor at Brechin, and kept the title of bishop, though
he discharged no other part of Episcopal function than what belongs to an
ordinary minister in the Church, save the title, till the 1572 Episcopacy
was first restored. He sate in many parliaments on the spiritual side, even
when few others did as a bishop, even till the time of his death, in the
beginning of the 1606." Panmure MS., pages 109, 110. Keith, page 166. The
grant above referred to is given at length in R. EL B., ii. 328. On page 332
of same work, there is the licence given to this bishop, 7th May 1567, to go
abroad for seven years without any danger to his benefice, and he appears to
have remained abroad for the time allowed him, for in 1573 his brother,
Arkinglass, gives up a rental of the bishopric, the bishop “ him-selff being
in Geneva at the schuilis.” R. E B., ii. 428. There are amongst the records
of Brechin charters granted by this bishop in January 1566, and down to the
1605, most of which prove that Bishop Campbell fully exercised the power of
alienating property with which he was endowed. See also R. E. B., ii.
285-290. James VI., after the Act of Annexation of the Bishop's
Temporalities to the Crown, granted those of Brechin to Campbell, R. E. B.,
ii. 374, who in 1603 made good his right against his Majesty’s
Collector-General, R. E. B., ii. 291. His wife was Helen Clephan, and they
acquired the land of Monboy from George Wishart in 1583, R. E. B., ii. 292.
Campbell is witness to a bond by the Earl of Athol and others to Captain
Patrick Cranstoun and his spouse of 100 merks yearly, “for the gude and
thankful service done,” “ for the libertie and relief of our soverane, the
King's Ma-jesteis person,1” 31st July 1578. Spalding Miscellany, vol. v. p.
203.
26. Andrew Lamb,
1606-1610.—Minister at Burntisland, succeeded in this see in 1606, and
continued in it till the year 1619, when he was translated to Galloway on
the death of Bishop Coupar. He was one of the three bishops who went by the
orders of James I. into England, where he received Episcopal consecration on
the 20th October 1010. Keith, page 167. Panmure MS., page 110. There is a
charter by the*precentor, with Bishop Andrew’s consent, to the town council
of Brechin in 1619. A board in the session-house, on which are recorded
gifts to the church, bears, “ 1615, Andrew, Bishop of Brechin, gifted the
hearse before the pulpitn —a brass chandelier for holding candles, of very
handsome workmanship. Mr Chalmers prints a charter granted by Bishop Lamb in
1608. R. E. B„ ii. 293. Lamb was a member of the first parliament summoned
by Regent Moray, 15th December 1567. Tytier’s History of Scotland, edition
1842, vol. vii. page 162.
27. David Lindsay, 1619.—He
was son to Colonel John Lindsay, a brother of the laird of Edzel, in
Angusshire. He was minister at Dundee, from whence he was translated to the
see of Brechin, and consecrated at St Andrews, 23d November 1619. “ He
appears by his writings remaining to have been a man of good learning. By
reason of his book, called * Resolutions for Kneeling at the Sacrament,’ he
became very acceptable to the court, insomuch as King Charles the First was
pleased to translate him to the bishopric of Edinburgh, upon Dr Forbes’s
death in 1634, where he continued till the 1638.” Panmure MS., page 111.
“The fury of the mob was like to have fallen heavy on this prelate at the
first reading of the liturgy in the High Church of Edinburgh, on Sunday the
23d July 1637. He was deposed and excommunicated by the Assembly in 1638,
whereupon he withdrew into England, where* he died during the following
troubles/1 Keith, page 61. Amongst the records of Brechin there is one deed
with this bishop’s name, in 1623. R. E. B., ii 241.
28. Thomas Sydserf,
1634.—“Thomas Sydserf, afterwards better known as Bishop of Galloway and
Bishop of Orkney, was Bishop of Brechin in 1635, though omitted by
Keith,”—says Mr Innes in his preface to Mr Chalmers’s Work, i 13, and he
quotes Bishop Forbes's Funerals, edition 1845, page 226. Bishop Sydserf is
not mentioned in any of the records of Brechin, nor would his incumbency in
1635 tally with Bishop Whiteford’s consecration in September 1634, as stated
in the Panmure MS. We have had it stated to us that Sydserf was bishop for a
short time in 1634; and Bishop Forbes is in possession of the Episcopal seal
of Thomas, Bishop of Brechin. On these authorities we rank Thomas Sydserf as
a bishop of Brechin.
29. Walter Whiteford,
1634.—According to Keith, page 167, he was son of James Whiteford of that
ilk, by Margaret his wife, daughter of Sir James Somerville of Camnethan,
and was first a minister at Monkland, and sub-dean of Glasgow, and then
rector of Moffat, retaining his sub-deanery in commendam. The Panmure MS.
gives the following account of this prelate :—“ In the 1620, he was
inaugurate doctor of divinity, and last of all he was promoted to this see
upon the recommendation of the secretarie, Sir William Alexander of Menstrie,
Earl of Stirling, and was consecrate in September 1634, and he held the see
till the 1638, when he was outed and excommunicated by the General Assembly
of Glasgow. Bishop Whiteford being very obnoxious to the fury of the
incensed multitude, for being thought amongst the most forward of any of his
brethren for the liturgy and book of canons, which at first set the kingdom
in a. flame when the troubles broke out, for the security of his person he
fled into England, where he died in the 1643.” Panmure MS., page 112. There
are no charters extant amongst the Brechin records with this bishop’s name
on them, but it has been ascertained in a court of law, that “the reverend
father in God, Walter, Bishop of Brechin,” and the town council of Brechin,
on 15th May 1637, framed a particular act regarding the multures of the
mills of Brechin. In Wood’s peerage, vol. i. page 753, it is stated that
Bishop Whitford or Whiteford married Anne, one of the daughters of Sir John
Carmichael of Carmichael. After the Glasgow Assembly of 1638 he was
presented by King Charles to the living of Waldegrave, in Northamptonshire.
Bridge’s Northamptonshire, i. 284. On 13th April 1636, Walter, Bishop of
Brechin, and others were created burgesses of Arbroath. Burgh Record in
Library at Panmure House.
30. David Strachan,
1662.—“Upon the restauration of Episcopacy by King Charles II., his Majesty
promoted to this see Mr David Strachan, parson of Fettercaim. This prelate
was a branch of the antient family of Strachans of Thomtoun, in the county
of Kincardine, where he was born, and had his education in the University of
Saint Andrews, where he took his degrees. After that, betaking himself to
the study of theologie, which he pursued with great diligence and industry,
he was licensed to the ministry, and soon after settled at Fettercairn.
Being a person of great and eminent loyalty, which he had manifested upon
severall occasions during the usurpation, he was, upon the King's return, as
the reward of his fidelity and merit, pointed out to be a bishop, and by the
favour of the Earle of Middleton, who was Mr Strachan’s near relation, was
promoted to this see and consecrate, June lstsanno 1662, where he exercised
the office of his function till the 1671, when death translated him from
this mortall life to a state of immortality” Panmure MS., page 112. Keith,
page 167. The Presbytery records of Brechin, of 2d November 1671, bear that
“ David, Bishop of Brechin, departed this lyff, the nynth of October last.”
This bishop concurs with Mr John Strachan, the archdeacon, in the grant of a
piece of land to the hospital of Brechin, on 11th April 1667, and this is
the only time his name is found amongst the existing records of the burgh of
Brechin. R. K B., ii. 250. The session records bear that the bishop, without
naming him, made his first entry to, and preached in the cathedral church,
on 3d August 1662. A placard in the session-house, recording grants made to
the church, states, " 1665, David, Bishop of Brechin, gifted the orlodge on
the steeple/' the clock in the steeple. The same board states, “ 1682, Anna
Barclay, relict, David B. of Brechin (gifted to the poor) £33, 6s. 8d.” Mr
Innes, quoting an '* Account of Scotch Bishops at Slaines,” says Bishop
Strachan was buried in the cathedral before the pulpit
31. Robert Laurie, 1674.—He
was “ son of Joseph Laurie, minister at Stirling, was first appointed to the
charge of a parish; and being a celebrated preacher, and a man of
moderation, he was, upon the restoration, made Dean of Edinburgh, and then
advanced to the see of Brechin; but the benefice of this bishopric being
small, he was allowed to retain his deanery, and continued to exercise a
particular ministry at the church of the Holy Trinity in Edinburgh, till his
death in the year 1677.” Keith, page 168. From the records of the town
council of 17th September 1674, it appears “that*Mr John Dempster,
schoolmaster, is employed by the bishop to supply his charge as minister/'
because, as the margin of the council record bears, “ the bishop was called
to be preacher at-,” believed to be the church of the Holy Trinity in
Edinburgh, which charge he held till his death. Bishop Laurie’s name only
occurs once amongst the Brechin charters, on 21st April 1674. R E. B., ii
251. There is engrossed in the council-book a curious letter, signed “ Mr
Robert Laurie, Bishop of Brechin/’ addressed to the town council on 16th
April 1675, regarding the misconduct of a Robert Strachan, kirk-officer.
32. George Halliburton,
1678.—“ George Halliburton, minister at Coupar of Angus, was consecrated
bishop of this see anno 1678, and was translated thence to the see of
Aberdeen in the year 1682.” Keith, page 168. Panmure MS., page 114. Some
business is delayed in the session, on 2d June 1678, “till the bishop be
present/’ and he is marked as present in the session on the 30th September
that year. The head court of the burgh of Brechin, of 27th September 1678,
was held " Per Reverendum in Christo Patrem Georgium Episcopum Brechinensis
et Balivos/’ on 29th September 1681, this bishop, with his own hand, enters
an appointment in the council-book, of “David Donaldson, younger, to
continue my balzie for the ensuing year/’ and on 3d October" foil owing,
this prelate, as provost, takes the lead in signing the oaths to government*
along with the rest of the council There are no charters extant with his
name.
33. Robert Douglas, 1682.—“ A
lineal branch of Douglas of Glenbervy, in the shire of the Mearns,
afterwards Earls of Angus, now Dukes of Douglas, was bom anno 1626. He had
his education in the King’s College of Aberdeen; was minister first at
Laurencekirk, in the Mearns, then of Bothwell, Renfrew, and Hamilton, next
Dean of Glasgow, from whence he was promoted to the see of Brechin anno
1682, and anno 1684, was translated to the bishopric of Dunblane.” Keith,
page 168. Panmure MS., page 114. Robert, Bishop of Brechin, his son,
Silvester Douglas, and others, were admitted honorary burgesses of Brechin,
1st August 1682. This bishop preached in the cathedral church only on four
occasions, twice in October in 1682, and twice in October 1683, as the
session records bear.
34. Alexander Cairncross,
1684.—“Though he was the very heir of the ancient family of the Caimcrosses
of Cowmislie, yet was so low in his circumstances that he was under a
necessity to betake himself to an employment, and was a dyer in the
Canon-gate of Edinburgh, which employment he exercised for many years, and
with such success, that he was enabled to acquire some part of the estate
which had pertained to his ancestors. He was first parson of Dumfries, until
the year 1684, at which time, by the recommendation of the Duke of
Queensberry, he was promoted to the see of Brechin, and soon thereafter to
that of Glasgow* which was ratified by the King’s letters-patent, 3d
December 1684. Here he continued till the year 1686, when, having incurred
the displeasure of the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Perth, (and deservedly,
too, if all be true which Dr James Canaries, minister at Selkirk, relates,)
the King sent a letter to the privy council removing him from the
archbishopric of Glasgow, of the date, January 13, 1687. A very irregular
step, surely, the King should have taken a more canonical course. He lived
privately until the Revolution in 1688, after which period he was taken
notice of by the new powers, who finding him not altogether averse to make
compliance with them, he was made Bishop of Raphoe in Ireland, the 16th May
1693, and in that see he continued till his death, anno 1701. He left a
considerable estate to his nephew, by a sister, George Home of Whitfield/*
Keith, page 269. He was Consecrated Bishop of Brechin in June or August
1684, and on 6th December following, he was presented to the archbishopric
of Glasgow. See vol. ix. of the Abstracts of the secretary's books in the
possession of the family of Mar, Nos. 39 and 40. Keith, pages 168 and 269.
Panmure MS., page 114. He is present at the election of the magistrates of
Brechin, on Monday, 29th September 1684, and then appoint# John Molison as
bishop’s bailie; and he was present at the head court of the burgh, held 4th
October same year, but his name does not afterwards occur in the records of
the council. Bishop Cairn cross preached in the cathedral on 1st October
1684, daring his visit* taking his text from Acts xx. 28. How far he acted
up to his text it is not for us to judge; but Mr Chalmers prints from the
Findowry charter-chest a receipt, granted by John Spence, clerk of Brechin,
and factor to Alexander, Archbishop of Qlasgow, formerly Bishop of Brechin,
to the Laird of Findowry, for feu-duty, dated 12th December 1685. R E. B.,
ii. 298. Mr Innes says,—" After (he Revolution he was made Bishop of Raphoe
by King 'William, and held the bishopric from 1693 to 1701, the only
instance of such promotion after the abolition of Episcopacy in Scotland.”
Preface to R E. B., page xiv.
35. Jahks Dbumhohd, 1684.—“
This gentleman was the-son of Mr James Drummond, minister at Foulis, in
Perthshire. Being educate with a view of serving in the Church, he was first
ordained to the ministiy at Achterarder, and after that was removed to the
parsonage of Muthill, where he exercised his pastorall function, till the
see of Brechin falling to vaick, by the translation thence of Bishop
Cairncross to Glasgow, in the end of the 1684, he was preferred to this see.
He was consecrate at the Abbey Church of Holyrood House the 25th December
1684. I had a very good character of Bishop Drummond from severall persons
of honor and probity, who had the favor of his acquaintance, and
notwithstanding the influence, it was, and might have been presumed, his
chief and patron might have had with him with respect to the design of
removing and taking away the laws against Popiy, yet he was firm and
resolved to oppose the design in his station as much as any of his brethren,
the bishops, and no man was more stedfiut in the Protestant religion than
he, and both by his preaching and otherways, he gave ground to believe, he
would have been as stanch as any man against the opening a door to let in
Popry, in a parliamentary way, if it had come to the test This piece of
justice, I thought, was due to the memory of this good man, having had this
account of him from a person of honour, who had access to know the bishop’s
sentiments of this matter, and was far from having any biass to the order of
bishops, if it had not been a piece of justice to the bishop’s memory. After
the Revolution, Bishop Drummond, being deprived with the rest of his
brethren, tooke himself to a life of retirement, and lived mostly in the
Countess of Errors family, where he died in the year 1695, aged sixty-six
years/’ Panmures MS., pages 115,116. “ It is to be said of this prelate,
that though he had been promoted by the favor of his chief, the Earl of
Perth, then chancellor of the kingdom, yet he always showed himself as
averse to Popery as any person in the church, and it is certain there were
but very few of the bishops (if any at all) who favored an alteration in
religion/’ Keith, page 169. It appears from the records of the town of
Brechin, that Bishop Drummond had not reached that burgh on 19th February
1685, as the council then appointed Alexander Hires to be doctor of the
grammar-school, “ provided my Lord Bishop, at his coming to the place, doe
approve/’ The bishop is present in council on 25th September, and he
preached in the cathedral church on 1st October 1685. On 18th April 1689,
the Bishop preached in the Cathedral for the last time. No charters granted
by him have been found. It is said he died at Slaines Castle, and was buried
at Crnden.
After the Bevolution, the
deposed bishops continued, during their respective lifetimes, to exercise
spiritual jurisdiction over such clergymen as acknowledged them in their
several dioceses. But as most of these bishops were old men, it was deemed
prudent to add to the number of bishops, by the election of younger men, who
were received into the Episcopal college without having any particular
diocese assigned to them. Dr Russel, from whom we borrow the account of the
post-revolution bishops, tells us that the Rev. John Falconer, formerly one
of the ministers of Cairnlice in Fife, was thus consecrated a bishop at
Dundee on 28th April 1709. He is described as a man of learning, as well as
of business, and of great piety and prudence. “ In regard to his discharge
of Episcopal offices (says Dr Russel) we find that in the year 1720,
immediately after the death of Bishop Rose, (of Edinburgh,) a letter was
addressed to him by a great body of the clergy in Angus and Mearns, in which
they request him to assume the spiritual government and inspection of them,
* promising to acknowledge him as their proper bishop, and to pay all due
and canonical obedience to him as such.’ During the lifetime of
Bishop Rose, and at the
request of that prelate, he had frequently officiated among them with great
approbation. He, therefore, accepted this affectionate call, as he also
accepted a similar one at the same time from the clergy in the presbytery of
St Andrews where he had constantly resided; and accordingly, with the
consent of his brethren, he acted in these two districts as local bishop as
long as he lived. Bat his nsefal life was doomed not to be long-He died in
1723.” Russel, page 523. In this way then we assume into onr list
36. John Falconeb,
1709.—Described in the account of Scotch bishops at Slaines, as “a good and
grave man, and very modest, tall, black, and stooping. He dyed at
Englishmadie, July 6,1723, and was buried at Perth.
37. Robert Nobbib,
1724.—Innes, preface to R. E. B. page xv.
38. Mb John Ouchtbblonie,
1726.—“ After the-death of Bishop Rose of Edinburgh, the clergy of Fife,
Angus and Mearns, appear to have had Episcopal offices performed amongst
them by Bishop John Falconer. This excellent and learned man it is known to
the reader died in 1723, between which date and the period of the concordate
in 1731,1 know not how the duties of a bishop were discharged in those
extensive districts. By the articles of agreement just alluded to, it was
provided that the diocese of Brechin, together with the Carse of Gowrie, the
Presbyteries of Dundee, Arbroath, and Mearns, should be under the inspection
of Bishop Ouchterlonie. It was on the 29th November
1726, that Mr Ouchterlonie
was consecrated at Edinburgh, by the Bishops Freebairn, Duncan, and Gant,
the only three, it is added, who could be prevailed bn to do it The
objection to him, so far as can be gathered from the several hints, which
are mystically expressed, had a reference to the Erastian notions, which, at
that time, disturbed the peace of the Episcopal Church, and this candidate
for the mitre appears to have relied more on his interest at the Court of St
Germains than on the esteem of his brethren, or the good opinion of his
superiors. Bishop Ouchterlonie died in the year 1742.” Russel, pages 543,
544.
39. Mr Jambs Rait, 1742.—“
The clergy of Brechin lost no time in electing a successor to the ordinary,
with whom the con-cordate had supplied them. They made choice of Mr Rait,
presbyter in Dundee, a highly-respected character, who was, on the 4th of
October 1742, elevated to the episcopate by the hands of Bishops Rattray,
Keith, and White, and forthwith collated to the superintendency of Brechin.
Of this bishop, a learned correspondent says, ‘I know nothing more than that
he possessed strong good sense, had a very dignified manner when performing
his episcopal offices, and that he was a celebrated preacher, preaching
without notes till he became a very old man. His charges to the youth whom
he confirmed he delivered without notes and without hesitation, long after
he was eighty years of age/ The reader may not be displeased to peruse the
following testimonials in favour of Mr Rait, addressed, as was the practice
of that period to the Lord Bishop of Edinburgh. f These are to testify that
Mr James Rait, son of Mr William Rait, minister of Monikie, being, by your
lordship’s order, admitted to pass the preparatory trials before such
ministers in Dundee and the neighbourhood, as you appointed, in order to his
entering into the ministry, hath done the same to our very great
satisfaction, and therefore we do, with the more confidence and earnestness,
recommend him to your lordship to obtain your lordship’s licence for
preaching, or to get him into the orders of a deacon, as your lordship
judges fit In witness whereof these presents are written by our joint
allowance, and ordered to be signed by moderator and clerk, ad hunc effectum,
at Dundee, the twentieth and first day of October, 1712 years, (Signed)
Robert Norie, preses; James Goldman, clerk*’ The venerable bishop died in
the year 1777/’ Russel, pages 544, 545. The Society of Antiquaries possess
the matrix of the seal of this bishop, inscribed— “ Sigillum Iacobi Rait
Episcopi Brechinerfeis, Meliora Spero/'
40. Mr George Innes, 1778.—“
This bishop was minister of a chapel in Aberdeen, and was consecrated at
Alloa, on the 13th of August 1776, by Bishop Falconer, Bishop Rose, and
Bishop Petrie. He was collated at the same time to the superintendence of
the district of Brechin, but did not live long to discharge the duties of
it. He died on the 18th of May 1781, after which date the diocese remained
some years vacant” Russel, page 545. The Society of Antiquaries are also
possessed of the matrix of the seal of Bishop Innes, bearing for its legend
simply, “Sigillum Georgii Episcopi Brechinensis.”
41. Dr William Abernethy
Drummond, 1787.—“It has been already mentioned that this distinguished man
was elevated to the episcopate on the 26th of September 1787; that he was
consecrated as Bishop of Brechin, but that almost immediately afterwards he
was elected to the see of Edinburgh, where he had his pastoral charge, and
that he continued to preside over the clergy of that district, till the year
1805. He was descended from the family of Abernethy of Saltoun, in the shire
of Banff, and it was only upon his marriage with the heiress of Haw-thomden,
in the county of Mid-Lothian, that he assumed the name of Drummond. He wrote
many small tracts, and was a good deal engaged in theological controversy,
both with Protestants and Roman Catholics, but his intemperate manner
defeated, in most cases, the benevolence of his intentions, and only
irritated those whom he had wished to convince. He died on the 27th of
August 1809.” Russel, page 545.
42. Mr John Strachan, 1788.—“
This most respectable clergyman was sprung from the family of Strachan of
Thorntoun, in the county of Kincardine, now represented by his kinsman, the
gallant Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. He was consecrated at Peterhead on the
same day with Dr A. Drummond* to. whom, indeed, he was at that period
appointed coadjutor, but the latter being, within a few months afterwards,
elected by the clergy of Edinburgh, Bishop Strachan was preferred to the
undivided charge of the diocese of Brechin. He lived to a very advanced age,
having, however, survived for some time the powers of his mind as well as of
his body, and died on the 28th of January 1810, universally beloved and
regretted.” Russel, pages 545, 546.
43. Dr Geosqb Gleio, 1810.—“
Seldom can it fall to the lot of a communion so small and so poor as the
Episcopal Church in Scotland to enjoy the credit attached to so great a name
as that of Bishop Gleig. His reputation as a scholar and philosopher is so
well established by his numerous works that it is as unnecessary as it would
be impertinent in me to attempt an eulogium, of which he would be the first
to call in question the propriety. Having long discharged with much ability
the various duties of a presbyter, he was, in the autumn of 1808, elected by
the clergy of Brechin, as coadjutor to their aged bishop, and consecrated at
Aberdeen, on the 30th of October the same year by Bishop Skinner, Bishop
Jolly, and Bishop Torry. On the death of Bishop Strachan, in 1810, he was
preferred to the sole charge of the diocese ; and in 1816, upon the demise
of Bishop Skinner, he was chosen by his brethren to fill the office of
Primus, in virtue of which he presides in all the meetings of the Episcopal
College.” Russel, page 546.
44. David Moir, A.M.,
1837.—Bishop Gleig having become unable, through the infirmities of age, to
exercise his episcopal duties, being in his 85th year, the Rev. David Moir,
minister of St Andrew’s chapel in Brechin was elected by the clergy as his
coadjutor and successor, and consecrated and collated to the superintendence
of the diocese, by Bishops Walker, Skinner, and Low, at Edinburgh, on the
8th of October 1837. In August 1839, Washington College, Hartford,
Connecticut* U.S., conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity on Bishop Moir,
who accepted the title, and valued it “ as a token of friendly recognition
and intercommunion between the Scottish Episcopal Church, and her daughter
Church in America.” Bishop Gleig survived till 9th March 1840, when the
whole charge of the diocese devolved on Dr Moir. These duties he discharged
faithfully for seven years afterwards. Bishop Moir died on 21st August 1847,
as a handsome monument erected to his memory by the congregation in St
Andrew’s chapel bears. Dr Moir was much beloved in his congregation as a
pious, zealous minister, and much esteemed in his diocese as a learned man
and sound theologian.
45. Alexander Penrose Forbes,
D.C.L., was consecrated on the Feast of St Simon and St Jude, 28th October
1847, by the Right Reverend William Skinner, Bishop of Aberdeen, Michael
Russel, Bishop of Glasgow, and Charles Terrot, Bishop of Edinburgh. Quem
Deus Conservat. |
