Walter de Danyelston
Encyclopedia
Walter de Danielston [Danyelston] († 1402) was an early 15th century Bishop-elect of St. Andrews. Walter first appears on record in 1392 as a licentiate
canon
of the Bishopric of Aberdeen
, studying civil law
at Avignon
. By 1394, Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox
had presented him with control of the hospice of the poor at a place called "Poknade". By the beginning of the 15th century Walter's involvement in Lennox facilitated his role as the castellan
of Dumbarton. In either 1397 or 1398, Walter seized the castle after the death of his brother Robert. It was the latter position that opened up the bishopric for him. He was postulated as Bishop of St. Andrews in 1402 at the insistence of Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany
, who had promised him the position in return for handing over the castle. After a meeting between Albany and Thomas Stewart
, the contemporary Bishop-elect in the summer of 1402, Thomas renounced his rights as Bishop and allowed a new "election" to take place. Walter was thereby elected as Bishop. However, the election came to nothing, as Walter died without confirmation that very same Christmas
.
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
canon
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 the Bishopric 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...
, studying civil law
Civil law (common law)
Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim...
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...
. By 1394, Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox
Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox
Donnchadh of Lennox was the Mormaer of Lennox, 1385-1425. He was a son of Baltar mac Amlaimh and Margaret, daughter of Domhnall, Earl of Lennox....
had presented him with control of the hospice of the poor at a place called "Poknade". By the beginning of the 15th century Walter's involvement in Lennox facilitated his role as the castellan
Castellan
A castellan was the governor or captain of a castle. The word stems from the Latin Castellanus, derived from castellum "castle". Also known as a constable.-Duties:...
of Dumbarton. In either 1397 or 1398, Walter seized the castle after the death of his brother Robert. It was the latter position that opened up the bishopric for him. He was postulated as Bishop of St. Andrews in 1402 at the insistence of Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany
Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany , a member of the Scottish royal house, served as Regent to three different Scottish monarchs...
, who had promised him the position in return for handing over the castle. After a meeting between Albany and Thomas Stewart
Thomas Stewart
Thomas Stewart was an illegitimate son of King Robert II of Scotland. In 1380, Avignon Pope Clement VII provided Thomas with the Archdeaconry of the Bishopric of St. Andrews, as well as the canonry of Stobo in the Bishopric of Glasgow...
, the contemporary Bishop-elect in the summer of 1402, Thomas renounced his rights as Bishop and allowed a new "election" to take place. Walter was thereby elected as Bishop. However, the election came to nothing, as Walter died without confirmation that very same Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
.