William Bell (bishop)

William Bell (d. 1343) was a 14th century Bishop of St Andrews. His origins are not clear, but he was holding a canonry in the diocese of Glasgow by January 20, 1312. He was a commissary of Bishop William de Lamberton in a case between Dunfermline Abbey and one of the abbey's vicars in early 1312. He was part of William de Lamberton's close group of associates, his "familia". In 1328, he was involved playing an administrative role in drawing up a treating at Holyrood Abbey between King Robert I of Scotland and the English crown.

By this point in time he was holding the title "Master", and hence an academic qualification. In the following year he became Dean of Dunkeld Cathedral. The latter position was still held in early 1341, but was probably resigned soon after as Bell moved to become a canon of St Andrews. He was elected to succeed James Bane as Bishop of St Andrews perhaps sometime soon after the death of Bane on September 22, 1332, though Walter Bower claimed he was elected earlier, on August 19.

Bell travelled to the Papal court based at Avignon to receive Papal confirmation, but in doing this his efforts were blocked by opposition and counter-nominations from representatives of the English crown. He does not appear to have obtained Papal confirmation, and in February 1342 resigned the rights acquired by election to facilitate the Pope's preferred candidate William de Landallis. He returned to Scotland with the new bishop, re-entered St Andrews Cathedral Priory as an Augustinian canon, and died on February 7, 1343. Bell was apparently blind at death only a decade later, and it is not known if this had anything to do with the Papacy's decision.

References

* Dowden, John, "The Bishops of Scotland", ed. J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912), pp. 25-6
* Watt, D. E. R., "A Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Graduates to A.D. 1410", (Oxford, 1977), pp. 35-6