Walter Stewart (Archdeacon of St Andrews)
Encyclopedia
Walter Stewart was a 15th century churchman in the Kingdom of Scotland
. He was a cousin of King James II of Scotland
, being like King James a grandson to King Robert III of Scotland
; Walter went to university and obtained a Master of Arts
.
He is found as Archdeacon of Dunblane
in a document dating to February 12, 1433; it is not known when he had obtained this office, and because the latest known occupation of the office by any predecessor goes back all the way to 1410 x 1411, it cannot be narrowed down significantly.
Walter was still Archdeacon of Dunblane on November 3, 1456, but had given it up the following year for the St Andrews archdeaconry. During his period as Archdeacon of Dunblane he was elected, following the death of Bishop Michael Ochiltree
, as Bishop of Dunblane
by the cathedral chapter
.
His election by the cathedral chapter of the see in 1447 turned out to be fruitless; Robert Lauder
had been provided by the Pope in October, and by November 29 Walter has surrendered his rights to the bishopric.
Walter was claiming the right to be Treasurer of Glasgow from 1452, litigating for the honour with two other parties, Thomas Lauder and John Balfour; he resigned the treasurership of Glasgow to Hugh Douglas in order to become Archdeacon of St Andrews
: this occurred sometime between June 7, 1455, and October 1457. It is possible it can be more narrowly dated to after November 3, 1456, when he is found still holding the Dunblane archdeaconry.
He was said to have had some right to the Treasurership of the diocese of Dunkeld
in January 1456, but the details of this are not clear. He was still in possession of the St Andrews archdeaconry on April 26, 1470, but resigned the position to the Abbot of Holyrood
under faculty of Pope Paul II
; this happened before July 26, 1471, the date of Pope Paul's death, though it is not until his successor William Scheves
is first found occupying the office in 1474 that there can be certainty the resignation had gone through.
Walter had advanced so far in the church because of his royal blood, education and papal indulgence; in 1471 he was a papal chaplain, but was still an acolyte
, only in minor orders
.
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
. He was a cousin of King James II of Scotland
James II of Scotland
James II reigned as King of Scots from 1437 to his death.He was the son of James I, King of Scots, and Joan Beaufort...
, being like King James a grandson to King Robert III of Scotland
Robert III of Scotland
Robert III was King of Scots from 1390 to his death. His given name was John Stewart, and he was known primarily as the Earl of Carrick before ascending the throne at age 53...
; Walter went to university and obtained a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
.
He is found as Archdeacon of Dunblane
Archdeacon of Dunblane
The Archdeacon of Dunblane was the only archdeacon in the Diocese of Dunblane, acting as a deputy of the Bishop of Dunblane. The first archdeacon, Andrew , was called "Archdeacon of Modhel" ; archdeacons Jonathan, Gilbert and Luke were styled "Archdeacon of Dunblane", while John and Duncan were...
in a document dating to February 12, 1433; it is not known when he had obtained this office, and because the latest known occupation of the office by any predecessor goes back all the way to 1410 x 1411, it cannot be narrowed down significantly.
Walter was still Archdeacon of Dunblane on November 3, 1456, but had given it up the following year for the St Andrews archdeaconry. During his period as Archdeacon of Dunblane he was elected, following the death of Bishop Michael Ochiltree
Michael Ochiltree
Michael Ochiltree [Ouchtre] was a 15th century Scottish prelate and administrator. A close associate of King James I of Scotland, from the late 1410s he rose in rank from canon to Dean of Dunblane and then Bishop of Dunblane...
, as Bishop of Dunblane
Bishop of Dunblane
The Bishop of Dunblane or Bishop of Strathearn was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Dunblane/Strathearn, one of medieval Scotland's thirteen bishoprics. It was based at Dunblane Cathedral, now a parish church of the Church of Scotland. The bishopric itself certainly derives from an older...
by the cathedral chapter
Cathedral chapter
In accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
.
His election by the cathedral chapter of the see in 1447 turned out to be fruitless; Robert Lauder
Robert Lauder
Robert Lauder, M.A., Bachelor of Canon Law , was a Scottish prelate and Nuncio of the 15th century. The Lauder family produced a large number of senior churchman in this period, and alongside Robert can be named William Lauder, Bishop of Glasgow, Alexander Lauder and Thomas Lauder, both...
had been provided by the Pope in October, and by November 29 Walter has surrendered his rights to the bishopric.
Walter was claiming the right to be Treasurer of Glasgow from 1452, litigating for the honour with two other parties, Thomas Lauder and John Balfour; he resigned the treasurership of Glasgow to Hugh Douglas in order to become Archdeacon of St Andrews
Archdeacon of St Andrews
The Archdeacon of St Andrews was the head of the Archdeaconry of St Andrews, a sub-division of the Diocese of St Andrews, from the twelfth to the seventeenth century...
: this occurred sometime between June 7, 1455, and October 1457. It is possible it can be more narrowly dated to after November 3, 1456, when he is found still holding the Dunblane archdeaconry.
He was said to have had some right to the Treasurership of the diocese of Dunkeld
Diocese of Dunkeld
The Diocese of Dunkeld was one of the 13 historical dioceses of Scotland preceding the abolition of Episcopacy in 1689.-History:It is thought that the diocese was constituted as far back as the middle of the ninth century. The first occupant was styled Bishop of Fortriu, the name by which the...
in January 1456, but the details of this are not clear. He was still in possession of the St Andrews archdeaconry on April 26, 1470, but resigned the position to the Abbot of Holyrood
Abbot of Holyrood
The Abbot of Holyrood was the head of the Augustinian monastic community of Holyrood Abbey, now in Edinburgh. The long history of the abbey came to a formal end in July 1606 when the parliament of Scotland turned the abbey into a secular lordship for the last commendator, John Bothwell...
under faculty of Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II , born Pietro Barbo, was pope from 1464 until his death in 1471.- Early life :He was born in Venice, and was a nephew of Pope Eugene IV , through his mother. His adoption of the spiritual career, after having been trained as a merchant, was prompted by his uncle's election as pope...
; this happened before July 26, 1471, the date of Pope Paul's death, though it is not until his successor William Scheves
William Scheves
William Scheves was the second Archbishop of St. Andrews. In his earlier ecclesiastical career, he had been clericus regiae and Master of the hospital of Brechin. In 1474 he was provided unsuccessful to the Archdeaconry of Dunblane, but by the beginning of 1477 he was Archdeacon of St Andrews...
is first found occupying the office in 1474 that there can be certainty the resignation had gone through.
Walter had advanced so far in the church because of his royal blood, education and papal indulgence; in 1471 he was a papal chaplain, but was still an acolyte
Acolyte
In many Christian denominations, an acolyte is anyone who performs ceremonial duties such as lighting altar candles. In other Christian Churches, the term is more specifically used for one who wishes to attain clergyhood.-Etymology:...
, only in minor orders
Minor orders
The minor orders are the lowest ranks in the Christian clergy. The most recognized minor orders are porter, lector, exorcist, and acolyte. In the Latin rite Catholic Church, the minor orders were in most cases replaced by "instituted" ministries of lector and acolyte, though communities that use...
.