Alexander Gordon (d. 1518)

Alexander Gordon (died 1518) was a late medieval Scottish churchman. He was member of the kindred of the Earl of Huntly, being cousin to the reigning earl. He was the third son of James Gordon, Laird of Haddo.Keith, "Historical Catalogue", p. 119.] From at least 1504, probably earlier, until 1516, he was Precentor (chanter) of the diocese of Moray.Watt, "Fasti Ecclesiae", p. 225.]

After the death of William Elphinstone (d. October 24, 1514), the canons of Aberdeen prepared to elect a successor. According to later tradition, Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly, arrived and pressured the canons to elect his own cousin, the Precentor of Moray. [Dowden, "Bishops of Scotland", p. 135, quoting John Spottiswoode (i. 209).]

Meanwhile, at Rome Pope Leo X had provided Robert Forman, dean of Glasgow, to the vacant see, while at the same time the Duke of Albany had nominated one James Ogilvie, who quickly became Abbot of Dryburgh instead. Forman was persuaded by his brother Andrew Forman, Archbishop of St Andrews, to yield his claim to Gordon upon the promise of the next vacancy. [Dowden, "Bishops of Scotland", pp. 135-6; Innes, "Registrum", pp. li-ii.]

He died on June 30, 1518. [Innes, "Registrum", p. lii; Watt, "Fasti Ecclesiae", p. 3.] It is possible that he eventually received the ritual of consecration, though it is not very likely, although he was clearly ruling bishop for 3 years or over.

Notes

References

*Dowden, John, "The Bishops of Scotland", ed. J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912)
*Innes, Cosmo, "Registrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis: Ecclesie Cathedralis Aberdonensis Regesta Que Extant in Unum Collecta", Vol. 1, (Edinburgh, 1845)
*Keith, Robert, "An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops: Down to the Year 1688", (London, 1924)
*Watt, D.E.R., "Fasti Ecclesiae Scotinanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638", 2nd Draft, (St Andrews, 1969)