George Lauder

George Lauder was a fifteenth century Scottish prelate and Bishop of Argyll (or "Episcopus Lismorensis"). [ Lindesay Robert, of Pitscottie, A.E.J.G.Mackay, A.E.J.G., editor, "The Historie and Cronicles of Scotland", Edinburgh, 1899, vol.2: 354]

Background

Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie and Keith state that he was "of the Balcomy family". The superiority of Balcomy, near Leven, Fife, was at the time held by Lauder of The Bass, and George almost certainly had the lands there by feu from his father or brother or both, as in 1444, with the consent of Patrick Lauder "his brother and heir of tailzie" [entail] , he gave consent to the Prior of St. Andrews to dig stones out of the quarry at Balcomy to repair the convent. [ Spottiswoode, John, editor, "Keith's Scottish Bishops", Edinburgh, 1824] Sasine of Balcomy in Fife was eventually given to Isabelle Lauder in 1454. [ Burnet, George, LL.D., Lord Lyon King of Arms, "The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland", 1480-1487, Edinburgh, 1886, vol.IX: 663] On September 27, 1465, the King confirmed to Alexander de Lesley [sic] de Warderis and Issabelle de Lawdre (Lauder in charter 2331 of 1496) his spouse, the lands of Balcomy in Fife, which Issabella (note the 'e' has become an 'a') "in her pure virginity" resigned for a regrant to her husband and herself following her marriage. [ "The Great Seal of Scotland", no.849]

Career

George de Lawedre, was Vicar of Crail, Fife, prior to March 15, 1425, when as such he was a witness to a charter at Perth. A priest named Alexander de Castelcaris made a Supplication to the Pope, on July 28, 1427, for its provision to himself upon George's promotion to the Bishopric. [ Dunlop, A. I., "Scottish Supplications to Rome 1423 - 1428", Scottish History Society, Edinburgh, 1956: 159] In addition he was also Master of St.Leonard's Hospital at Peebles, his successor appearing in a confirmation dated July 25, 1427 where it is stated that the vacancy had been created by Lauder's promotion to the Bishopric. [ "The Great Seal of Scotland", nos.84 and 94] Another Supplication was made on March 5, 1429 by Christopher Pontfret, M.A., priest, Glasgow diocese, that the Pope would provide him to the Vicarage of Crail, St.Andrew's diocese (£24 sterling pa) vacant about a year previous by the promotion of George Lawedre to the Bishopric of Lismore (Argyll), and the resignation of Alexander de Castillaris. That was contested by another Supplication dated 5th September that year for the same vicarage by Edward de Lawedre. [ Dunlop, A.I., and Cowan, I.B., (eds.), "Scottish Supplications to Rome 1428-1432", Scottish History Society, Edinburgh, 1970: pps. 7 & 46, ISBN 9500260-2-6]

George Lauder was 'provided' as Bishop of Argyll on May 26, 1427, but it appears he was still unconsecrated on June 30, 1428. [ Dunlop, A. I., "Scottish Supplications to Rome 1423 - 1428", Scottish History Society, Edinburgh, 1956: 223]

The wilds of Argyll held their problems for the priesthood, demonstrated by a Supplication to the Pope over the Archdeaconry of Argyll, dated July 29, 1441, when Dugal (Campbell) of Lochaw, Lic.Dec., a priest in the diocese, questioned the authority of George Lauder, who he refers to as "alleged Bishop of Argyll". [ Dunlop, A.I., & MacLauchlan, D., "Scottish Supplications to Rome 1433 - 1447", University of Glasgow Press, 1983: 181, ISBN 0-852-61179-X]

In the National Archives of Scotland (GD112/1/8) are Letters dated November 20, 1454 by George (Lauder), Bishop of Argyll, reciting apostolic Letters of Pope Nicholas of April 5, 1454, for the marriage of Colin Campbell, Knt., of Glenurquha, and Jonet Stewart, daughter of John Stewart, Lord of Lorne, who are within the forbidden degrees of consanguinity. Witnesses: John Stewart, Lord of Lorne, Colin Campbell, Lord of Lochaw, James Lawedre, Vicar of Kippen, Thomas Spens, Rector of Lochfine, and Sir Ninian Morrison (Moritii). Lauder's Seal is almost entire, on a tag.

On June 30, 1461 a dispute over the patronage of the church of Dunoon arose between the Crown and George Lauder, Bishop of Argyll, James II having been said to have granted the right of patronage, which had been in his eldest son's gift, to the Bishop. James III now petitioned the Pope over a Presentation to that church which was refused by George Lauder. Some sort of compromise appears to have been reached as the "fruits" of the parish church of Dunoon were granted to the Bishop by "Royal Letters" and these were confirmed by the Pope on June 26, 1465. [ Kirk, James, Tanner, Roland, and Dunlop, A.I.,"Scottish Supplications to Rome 1447-1471", Scottish Academic Press, University of Glasgow, 1997: 247 and 303, ISBN 0-7073-0757-0]

On 29th April 1462, a Papal Indult was granted to George Lauder, Bishop of Argyll, who had petitioned the Pope requesting that he be permitted to reside outwith his diocese, in Gasgow, or some other suitable place not more than two days ride from his diocese, for seven years "on account of strife rageing between temporal lords and other magnates of his diocese, and the tumults of wars and dangers arising therefrom, and is unable to reside in Argyll". [ Kirk, James, Tanner, Roland, and Dunlop, A.I.,"Scottish Supplications to Rome 1447-1471", Scottish Academic Press, University of Glasgow, 1997: 265-6, ISBN 0-7073-0757-0]

It would appear that George Lauder, Bishop of Argyll, was still alive in March 1466. [ Kirk, James, Tanner, Roland, and Dunlop, A.I.,"Scottish Supplications to Rome 1447-1471", Scottish Academic Press, University of Glasgow, 1997: 329, ISBN 0-7073-0757-0]

References