Alexander Stewart (Archbishop of St Andrews)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Stewart was an illegitimate son of King James IV of Scotland
and his mistress Marion Boyd
. He was the eldest illegitimate child of King James IV of Scotland his mistress Marion Boyd. He was an elder brother of Catherine Stewart his only full sibling, a half brother to James Stewart, Margaret Stewart and Janet Stewart the other royal illegitimate children of James IV and his mistresses. He was an older half brother of James V.
daughter of Angus Boyd who was Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus
’s brother in - law through his second wife. Angus’s influence over the young King may have been how Marion and James IV met and eventually had two children, Alexander born around 1493 and Catherine born around 1494.
whom he seemed to have been close to. In 1507 Alexander Stewart was sent to France on the royal ship the Treasurer
. His education continued with lengthy journeys to the low countries, and Italy in 1507. In Padua he studied rhetoric and Greek under Erasmus who wrote a moving obituary after young Alexander’s death at the battle of Flodden field. Erasmus mentioned their time at Siena where after studies in the morning Alexander would play the monochord, recorder or lute in the afternoon. Alexander returned to Scotland in 1510 and at the age of 17 became Lord Chancellor of Scotland.
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James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
and his mistress Marion Boyd
Marion Boyd (mistress)
Marion Boyd , also known as Margot or Margaret, was a mistress of King James IV of Scotland.They had two children: Alexander, born about 1490, and Catherine, who married James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton....
. He was the eldest illegitimate child of King James IV of Scotland his mistress Marion Boyd. He was an elder brother of Catherine Stewart his only full sibling, a half brother to James Stewart, Margaret Stewart and Janet Stewart the other royal illegitimate children of James IV and his mistresses. He was an older half brother of James V.
Mother
His mother was Marion BoydMarion Boyd
Marion Boyd is a former Canadian politician, who represented the riding of London Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1999 as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party.-Background:...
daughter of Angus Boyd who was Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus
Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus
Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus , was a late medieval Scottish magnate. He became known as "Bell the Cat"...
’s brother in - law through his second wife. Angus’s influence over the young King may have been how Marion and James IV met and eventually had two children, Alexander born around 1493 and Catherine born around 1494.
Church Life
From a young age Alexander was groomed for a life in the church. At the age of four his father received a dispensation from illegitimacy by Julius II enabling him to join the church. By September 1502 he was archdeacon, when his uncle James, Duke of Ross died in 1504 his father the King nominated him as the new Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was still only a boy at age 11 which would mean his father could still receive the revenues of St Andrews since Alexander was under age until he turned 27.Education and Erasmus
He received a superb education firstly from James Watson, later Dean of the Arts faculty at St Andrews, and latterly from Patrick PaniterPatrick Paniter
Patrick Paniter Scottish churchman and principal secretary to James IV of Scotland and the infant James V. The surname is usually written Paniter, or Painter, or occasionally Panter....
whom he seemed to have been close to. In 1507 Alexander Stewart was sent to France on the royal ship the Treasurer
Treasurer (warship)
The Treasurer was a Scottish warship in the Royal Scots Navy in the 16th century.The Treasurer was purchased by James IV of Scotland from a merchant of Le Conquet near Brest, and appears to have been commissioned by Robert Barton of Over Barnton. The Treasurer sailed with the Margaret to Flanders...
. His education continued with lengthy journeys to the low countries, and Italy in 1507. In Padua he studied rhetoric and Greek under Erasmus who wrote a moving obituary after young Alexander’s death at the battle of Flodden field. Erasmus mentioned their time at Siena where after studies in the morning Alexander would play the monochord, recorder or lute in the afternoon. Alexander returned to Scotland in 1510 and at the age of 17 became Lord Chancellor of Scotland.
Later life
Alexander was reportedly severely myopic, possibly from extensive study in poor conditions. In 1511 he co-founded St Leonard's College in St Andrews, whose chapel still stands (minus its original tower). A gateway with his coat of arms above the arch survives in St Andrews. He was killed along with his father at the Battle of Flodden FieldBattle of Flodden Field
The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field or occasionally Battle of Branxton was fought in the county of Northumberland in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey...
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