Alexander de Kininmund (d. 1344)
Encyclopedia
Alexander de Kininmund was a 14th century Scottish churchman. The first mention of Alexander occurs when, as a canon
of Dunkeld
he is one of three ambassadors sent by King Robert I of Scotland
to Avignon
in 1320. The purpose of this embassy was to present a letter to Pope John XXII
known as the Declaration of Arbroath
. As a papal chaplain and lawyer, he was well qualified to argue the Scottish cause, and Barrow makes a strong case that he was, in fact the author of the document. He became Archdeacon of Lothian
in 1327, and by 1329 held a prebend in the diocese of Brechin
; he is also a papal chaplain
and an auditor of the papal palace at Avignon
.
In that year, after the death of Henry le Chen
, Walter Herok
was elected Bishop of Aberdeen
and travelled to Avignon to receive consecration from Pope John XXII
. However, Walter died there, apparently before receiving consecration and Alexander, a papal servant from Scotland, was provided to the now vacant see without any consultation of the chapter of Aberdeen.
Alexander was back in Scotland by March 29, 1330, when he attended a parliament of King David I of Scotland
. Four years later, on February 12, 1334, he was present at the parliament of the usurper-king Edward Balliol
. In 1335 he was one of the envoys sent to make peace with England. According to Hector Boece
, Alexander was a distinguished scholar and began work on building four new episcopal residences, at Mortlach, Aberdeen
, Fetternear
and Rayne; Aberdeen and Fetterneir were said to have been completed. He died sometime before September 13, 1344.
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of Dunkeld
Dunkeld Cathedral
Dunkeld Cathedral stands on the north bank of the River Tay in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Built in square-stone style of predominantly grey sandstone, the cathedral proper was begun in 1260 and completed in 1501...
he is one of three ambassadors sent by King Robert I of Scotland
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
to Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
in 1320. The purpose of this embassy was to present a letter to Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII , born Jacques Duèze , was pope from 1316 to 1334. He was the second Pope of the Avignon Papacy , elected by a conclave in Lyon assembled by Philip V of France...
known as the Declaration of Arbroath
Declaration of Arbroath
The Declaration of Arbroath is a declaration of Scottish independence, made in 1320. It is in the form of a letter submitted to Pope John XXII, dated 6 April 1320, intended to confirm Scotland's status as an independent, sovereign state and defending Scotland's right to use military action when...
. As a papal chaplain and lawyer, he was well qualified to argue the Scottish cause, and Barrow makes a strong case that he was, in fact the author of the document. He became Archdeacon of Lothian
Archdeacon of Lothian
The Archdeacon of Lothian was the head of the Archdeaconry of Lothian, a sub-division of the Diocese of St Andrews. The position was one of the most important positions within the medieval Scottish church; because of his area's large population and high number of parish churches, the Archdeacon of...
in 1327, and by 1329 held a prebend in the diocese of Brechin
Diocese of Brechin
The pre-Reformation Diocese of Brechin or Diocese of Angus was one of the thirteen historical dioceses of Scotland. The diocese was believed to have been founded by Bishop Samson in 1153, and based at the cathedral in Brechin, Angus...
; he is also a papal chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
and an auditor of the papal palace at Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
.
In that year, after the death of Henry le Chen
Henry le Chen
Henry le Chen [le Cheyn, le Chein, Cheyne, de Chene] was a late 13th-century and early 14th-century Scoto-Norman bishop. Hector Boece claims that he was the nephew of John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, but no contemporary evidence supports this...
, Walter Herok
Walter Herok
Walter Herok [Herot] was a cleric from 13th century and 14th century Scotland. He served as Dean of Moray from 1296 or before until 1329. In that year, after the death of Henry le Chen, he was elected Bishop of Aberdeen. Walter travelled to Avignon to receive consecration from Pope John XXII, but...
was elected Bishop of Aberdeen
Bishop of Aberdeen
The Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan...
and travelled to Avignon to receive consecration from Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII , born Jacques Duèze , was pope from 1316 to 1334. He was the second Pope of the Avignon Papacy , elected by a conclave in Lyon assembled by Philip V of France...
. However, Walter died there, apparently before receiving consecration and Alexander, a papal servant from Scotland, was provided to the now vacant see without any consultation of the chapter of Aberdeen.
Alexander was back in Scotland by March 29, 1330, when he attended a parliament of King David I of Scotland
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
. Four years later, on February 12, 1334, he was present at the parliament of the usurper-king Edward Balliol
Edward Balliol
Edward Balliol was a claimant to the Scottish throne . With English help, he briefly ruled the country from 1332 to 1336.-Life:...
. In 1335 he was one of the envoys sent to make peace with England. According to Hector Boece
Hector Boece
Hector Boece , known in Latin as Hector Boecius or Boethius, was a Scottish philosopher and first Principal of King's College in Aberdeen, a predecessor of the University of Aberdeen.-Biography:He was born in Dundee where he attended school...
, Alexander was a distinguished scholar and began work on building four new episcopal residences, at Mortlach, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Fetternear
Fetternear Palace
Fetternear Bishop's Palace is an archaeological site, part of which is incorporated into the now ruined towerhouse and mansion of Fetternear House, near Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, northeastern Scotland...
and Rayne; Aberdeen and Fetterneir were said to have been completed. He died sometime before September 13, 1344.