Jump to content

Thomas de Buittle: Difference between revisions

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(29 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Scottish prelate}}
{{Infobox bishopbiog|
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
⚫
name = Thomas de Buittle |
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}}
⚫
image = [[Image:Diocese of Galloway.JPG]] |
{{Infobox Christian leader
⚫
religion=[[Roman Catholic Church]] |
| type = Bishop
⚫
See = [[Diocese of Galloway]]|
⚫
| name = Thomas de Buittle
Title = [[Bishop of Galloway]] |
| title = [[Bishop of Galloway]]
⚫
Period = 1415–1420; 1422 |
| image =
⚫
consecration = June 14 – September 5, 1415 |
| alt =
⚫
Predecessor = [[Gilbert Cavan]] |
| caption =
⚫
Successor = [[Alexander Vaus]] |
⚫
| church = [[Roman Catholic Church]]
⚫
post = [[Provost (religion)|Provost]] of [[Maybole]]<br>[[Archdeacon of Galloway]] |
| archdiocese =
⚫
ordination = on or before 1388 |
| diocese =
bishops = |
⚫
| see = [[Diocese of Galloway]]
⚫
date of birth = unknown|
| term = 1415–1420; 1422
⚫
place of birth = Probably [[Galloway]] |
| predecessor = [[Gilbert Cavan]]
⚫
date of death = c. 1420–1422 |
| successor = [[Alexander Vaus]]
place of death = |
<!-- Orders -->
⚫
| ordination = on or before 1388
| ordinated_by =
⚫
| consecration = 14 June - 5 September 1415
| consecrated_by =
| rank =
<!-- Personal details -->
| birth_date = unknown
⚫
| birth_place = Probably [[Galloway]]
⚫
| death_date = c. 1420–1422
| death_place =
⚫
| previous_post = [[Provost (religion)|Provost]] of [[Maybole]]<br>[[Archdeacon of Galloway]]
}}
}}


Line 21: Line 33:


==Background and education==
==Background and education==
Thomas' name suggests a strong likelihood that he came from [[Buittle]] in [[Kirkcudbrightshire]], [[Galloway]], lands in the control of the Douglas family.<ref name=Watt-70>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 70.</ref> In 1388, it was claimed that he had been a scholar of Decrees (i.e. [[Canon law]]) at the [[University of Oxford]] for five years, a claim to some extent confirmed by the grant of safe-conduct from the English crown on February 18, 1380, to travel and study at Oxford for a year.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 139; Watt, ''Dictionary'', pp. 70–1.</ref>
Thomas' name suggests a strong likelihood that he came from [[Buittle]] in [[Kirkcudbrightshire]], [[Galloway]], lands in the control of the Douglas family.<ref name=Watt-70>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 70.</ref> In 1388, it was claimed that he had been a scholar of Decrees (i.e. [[Canon law]]) at the [[University of Oxford]] for five years, a claim to some extent confirmed by the grant of safe-conduct from the English crown on 18 February 1380, to travel and study at Oxford for a year.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 139; Watt, ''Dictionary'', pp. 70–1.</ref>


By April 18, 1390, he had obtained a [[Bachelors degree]] (in Decrees) from the [[University of Avignon]]; he appears in the Avignon university student rolls on August 9, 1393 and again on October 21, 1394.<ref name=Watt-71>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71.</ref> Thomas had obtained a doctorate (in Decrees) sometime between July 15, 1401 and June 9, 1410.<ref name=Watt-71/> He witnessed Bishop [[Henry de Wardlaw]]'s foundation charter of the [[University of St Andrews]] on February 28, 1412, and was named in the grant of privileges made to the new university by [[Avignon Pope Benedict XIII|Pope Benedict XIII]] on August 28, 1413.<ref name=Watt-71/>
By 18 April 1390, he had obtained a [[Bachelor's degree]] (in Decrees) from the [[University of Avignon]]; he appears in the Avignon university student rolls on 9 August 1393 and again on 21 October 1394.<ref name=Watt-71>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71.</ref> Thomas had obtained a doctorate (in Decrees) sometime between 15 July 1401 and 9 June 1410.<ref name=Watt-71/> He witnessed Bishop [[Henry de Wardlaw]]'s foundation charter of the [[University of St Andrews]] on 28 February 1412 and was named in the grant of privileges made to the new university by [[Avignon Pope Benedict XIII|Pope Benedict XIII]] on 28 August 1413.<ref name=Watt-71/>


==First provost of Maybole==
==First provost of Maybole==
[[Image:Maybolecollege.jpg|left|thumb|The ruins of collegiate church of [[Maybole]] (2005); it was dedicated to [[St Mary]] rather than [[St Cuthbert]]; St Cuthbert however was the dedication of the parish church.]]
[[File:Maybolecollege.jpg|left|thumb|The ruins of collegiate church of [[Maybole]] (2005); it was dedicated to [[St Mary]] rather than [[St Cuthbert]]; St Cuthbert however was the dedication of the parish church.]]
On February 1, 1388, a letter from [[Avignon Pope Clement VII]] to the [[Official#Ecclesiastical judiciary|official]] of the [[diocese of Glasgow]] says that Thomas "holds the provostship of the chapel of St Mary de Mayboyl, Glasgow diocese, which is a simple benefice without cure".<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 139.</ref> The [[collegiate church]] of Maybole was founded under the patronage of John Kennedy, Lord of [[Dunure]], a short time before February 2, 1382, when a mandate was issued by the papacy confirming its erection.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 82; Cowan & Easson, ''Medieval Religious Houses'', p. 224.</ref> A year previously the Lord of Dunure had founded a chapel to St Mary beside the parish church of Maybole, and the erection established a [[Provost (religion)|provost]], two chaplains and a clerk.<ref>Cowan & Easson, ''Medieval Religious Houses'', p. 224.</ref> Thomas de Buittle held the vicarage there.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', pp. 139, 152, 163; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71; see below.</ref> It is possible that Thomas was the senior priest there when it was erected into a collegiate church; Thomas is certainly the earliest known provost, and neither the appointment nor the death of any predecessor are noted anywhere.<ref name=Watt-366>Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 366.</ref>
On 1 February 1388, a letter from [[Avignon Pope Clement VII]] to the [[Official#Ecclesiastical judiciary|official]] of the [[diocese of Glasgow]] says that Thomas "holds the provostship of the chapel of St Mary de Mayboyl, Glasgow diocese, which is a simple benefice without cure".<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 139.</ref> The [[collegiate church]] of Maybole was founded under the patronage of John Kennedy, Lord of [[Dunure]], a short time before 2 February 1382, when a mandate was issued by the papacy confirming its erection.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 82; Cowan & Easson, ''Medieval Religious Houses'', p. 224.</ref> A year previously the Lord of Dunure had founded a chapel to St Mary beside the parish church of Maybole, and the erection established a [[Provost (religion)|provost]], two chaplains and a clerk.<ref>Cowan & Easson, ''Medieval Religious Houses'', p. 224.</ref> Thomas de Buittle held the vicarage there.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', pp. 139, 152, 163; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71; see below.</ref> It is possible that Thomas was the senior priest there when it was erected into a collegiate church; Thomas is certainly the earliest known provost, and neither the appointment nor the death of any predecessor are noted anywhere.<ref name=Watt-366>Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 366.</ref>


He held the vicarage of [[Lochrutton]] in [[Kirkcudbrightshire]] in 1388, when a papal letter indicated that he was expected to resign Lochrutton after obtaining the benefice of Maybole in the gift of the Prioress of the [[nunnery of North Berwick]].<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 139; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71; Maybole parish church had been given to North Berwick nunnery in the reign of [[Alexander II of Scotland]] by [[Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick]].</ref> He still held Lochrutton on April 18, 1390, when the letter was repeated.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 152.</ref> Thomas remained provost of Maybole until at least 1401, and perhaps until his consecration as [[Bishop of Galloway]] in 1415.<ref>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71; Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 366.</ref> No-one else is known to have held the position of provost there until 1439, although this proves nothing as the evidence for such things in the south-west of [[Scotland]] in this period is always scarce.<ref name=Watt-366/>
He held the vicarage of [[Lochrutton]] in [[Kirkcudbrightshire]] in 1388, when a papal letter indicated that he was expected to resign Lochrutton after obtaining the benefice of Maybole in the gift of the Prioress of the [[nunnery of North Berwick]].<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 139; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71; Maybole parish church had been given to North Berwick nunnery in the reign of [[Alexander II of Scotland]] by [[Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick]].</ref> He still held Lochrutton on 18 April 1390, when the letter was repeated.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 152.</ref> Thomas remained provost of Maybole until at least 1401, and perhaps until his consecration as [[Bishop of Galloway]] in 1415.<ref>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71; Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 366.</ref> No one else is known to have held the position of provost there until 1439, although this proves nothing as the evidence for such things in the south-west of [[Scotland]] in this period is always scarce.<ref name=Watt-366/>


==Archdeacon of Galloway==
==Archdeacon of Galloway==
[[Image:Antipope Benedict XIII.jpg|thumb|Pope Benedict XIII [of Avignon], Thomas' master and patron.]]
[[File:Pape avignon benoit13.jpg|thumb|Pope Benedict XIII [of Avignon], Thomas' master and patron.]]
On March 2, 1391, Thomas was provided by the papacy to be [[Archdeacon of Galloway]].<ref>Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 137.</ref> On May 23, a mandate was sent to the senior clergy of the bishopric of Glasgow authorising them to collate Thomas to the archdeaconry of Galloway, at that point occupied "unlawfully" by Patrick Smerles; the mandate gave dispensation for Thomas to retain control of both the provostship of Maybole and the vicarage of Lochrutton.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 163.</ref> He was still litigating with Smerles on August 9, 1393, by which point in time he had resigned Lochrutton; he was in firm possession of the archdeaconry by October 21, 1394.<ref>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71; see also McGurk (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 33;</ref> During his time as Archdeacon of Galloway, the church of [[Penninghame]] was annexed as a prebend of the office.<ref name=Watt-71/>
On 2 March 1391, Thomas was provided by the papacy to be [[Archdeacon of Galloway]].<ref>Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 137.</ref> On 23 May a mandate was sent to the senior clergy of the bishopric of Glasgow authorising them to collate Thomas to the archdeaconry of Galloway, at that point occupied "unlawfully" by Patrick Smerles; the mandate gave dispensation for Thomas to retain control of both the provostship of Maybole and the vicarage of Lochrutton.<ref>Burns (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 163.</ref> He was still litigating with Smerles on 9 August 1393, by which point in time he had resigned Lochrutton; he was in firm possession of the archdeaconry by 21 October 1394.<ref>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71; see also McGurk (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 33;</ref> During his time as Archdeacon of Galloway, the church of [[Penninghame]] was annexed as a prebend of the office.<ref name=Watt-71/>


==Papal career and other benefices==
==Papal career and other benefices==
He resigned the vicarage of Maybole through a proxy (Patrick de Houston) at the papal court on February 16, 1398, in exchange with Gilbert Adounane for the church of [[Kirkcolm]] in [[Wigtownshire]].<ref>McGurk (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 82; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71.</ref> [[Sweetheart Abbey]], overlords of Kirkholm parish, dispossessed him briefly of this benefice, but Thomas obtained papal restitution in a papal mandate dated October 13, 1410.<ref name=Watt-71/> He got papal provision on December 5, 1412, to the politically important vicarage of [[Dundonald, South Ayrshire|Dundonald in Kyle]], but this was unfruitful as the previous vicar turned out still to be alive.<ref name=Watt-71/> Presumably in its place he obtained the vicarage of [[Abernyte]] in the [[diocese of Dunkeld]] on January 30, 1413, but despite promising [[annate]]s, failed to obtain possession.<ref name=Watt-71/>
He resigned the vicarage of Maybole through a proxy (Patrick de Houston) at the papal court on 16 February 1398, in exchange with Gilbert Adounane for the church of [[Kirkcolm]] in [[Wigtownshire]].<ref>McGurk (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 82; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 71.</ref> [[Sweetheart Abbey]], overlords of Kirkholm parish, dispossessed him briefly of this benefice, but Thomas obtained papal restitution in a papal mandate dated 13 October 1410.<ref name=Watt-71/> He got papal provision on 5 December 1412, to the politically important vicarage of [[Dundonald, South Ayrshire|Dundonald in Kyle]], but this was unfruitful as the previous vicar turned out still to be alive.<ref name=Watt-71/> Presumably in its place he obtained the vicarage of [[Abernyte]] in the [[diocese of Dunkeld]] on 30 January 1413, but despite promising [[annate]]s, failed to obtain possession.<ref name=Watt-71/>


He did however successfully obtain provision to the church of [[Kinkell]] in the [[diocese of Aberdeen]], and the [[prebend]] of [[Inverkeithny]] in the [[diocese of Moray]] with its associated [[canonry]] in [[Elgin Cathedral]].<ref name=Watt-71/> As Thomas seems to have spent most of the early 15th century outside of Scotland in the employment of the papacy, these positions were probably given to supplement Thomas' income.<ref name=Watt-72>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 72.</ref> When he was in Scotland in February 1412 witnessing the foundation charter of St Andrews University, he was said to hold to elevated post of "auditor of the sacred apostolic palace".<ref name=Watt-72/> He had returned to Pope Benedict's court in Spain later in the same year, and can be found conducting various business there over the next few years, both for the papacy and as a [[proctor]] for people in Scotland.<ref name=Watt-72/>
He did however successfully obtain provision to the church of [[Kinkell, Aberdeenshire|Kinkell]] in the [[diocese of Aberdeen]], and the [[prebend]] of [[Inverkeithny]] in the [[diocese of Moray]] with its associated [[canonry]] in [[Elgin Cathedral]].<ref name=Watt-71/> As Thomas seems to have spent most of the early 15th century outside Scotland in the employment of the papacy, these positions were probably given to supplement Thomas' income.<ref name=Watt-72>Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 72.</ref> When he was in Scotland in February 1412 witnessing the foundation charter of St Andrews University, he was said to hold to elevated post of "auditor of the sacred apostolic palace".<ref name=Watt-72/> He had returned to Pope Benedict's court in Spain later in the same year, and can be found conducting various business there over the next few years, both for the papacy and as a [[proctor]] for people in Scotland.<ref name=Watt-72/>


==Bishop of Galloway==
==Bishop of Galloway==
As a reward for his service to the "Avignon Pope", now only recognised in Scotland, [[Sicily]], [[Aragon]] and [[Crown of Castile|Castile]], Thomas was provided to the bishopric of Galloway following the death of [[Elisaeus Adougan]], the previous bishop. This occurred on June 14, 1415.<ref>Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 131.</ref> Although the local chapter had elected one [[Gilbert Cavan]], a clerk of the [[Earl of Douglas]], to fill this position, Benedict overturned this election and put Thomas there instead.<ref>Dowden, ''Bishops'', p. 367; Watt, ''Dictionary'', pp. 71, 72; Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 131.</ref> This probably occurred against the will of the Douglas family, to whom Cavan was a senior clerk.<ref>Brown, ''Black Douglases'', p. 195.</ref> Thomas resigned the archdeaconry of Galloway, with Gilbert Cavan succeeding him there. Presumably in compensation, Gilbert also received Thomas' previous holdings in the dioceses of Moray and Aberdeen.<ref>McGurk (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 319; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 94; Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 137.</ref> It had been supposed by some authorities that Thomas supported the [[capitulation]] of [[Narbonne]], renounced his allegiance to Pope Benedict and supported the adherence to the [[Council of Constance]] in December 1415, but this is based on a misreading of the evidence.<ref name=Watt-72/>
As a reward for his service to the "Avignon Pope", now only recognised in Scotland, [[Sicily]], [[Aragon]] and [[Crown of Castile|Castile]], Thomas was provided to the bishopric of Galloway following the death of [[Elisaeus Adougan]], the previous bishop. This occurred on 14 June 1415.<ref>Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 131.</ref> Although the local chapter had elected one [[Gilbert Cavan]], a clerk of the [[Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas|Earl of Douglas]], to fill this position, Benedict overturned this election and put Thomas there instead.<ref>Dowden, ''Bishops'', p. 367; Watt, ''Dictionary'', pp. 71, 72; Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 131.</ref> This probably occurred against the will of the Douglas family, to whom Cavan was a senior clerk.<ref>Brown, ''Black Douglases'', p. 195.</ref> Thomas resigned the archdeaconry of Galloway, with Gilbert Cavan succeeding him there. Presumably in compensation, Gilbert also received Thomas' previous holdings in the dioceses of Moray and Aberdeen.<ref>McGurk (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 319; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 94; Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 137.</ref> It had been supposed by some authorities that Thomas supported the [[Capitulation (surrender)|capitulation]] of [[Narbonne]], renounced his allegiance to Pope Benedict and supported the adherence to the [[Council of Constance]] in December 1415, but this is based on a misreading of the evidence.<ref name=Watt-72/>


It is not clear that, with possible Douglas opposition, Thomas obtained possession of the bishopric smoothly. There is a mandate, dated September 5, 1415, to the [[subdean]] of [[Glasgow Cathedral]], ordering the latter to protect "Thomas and his successors in possession of the lands and heredities of ''Innermasan'', ''Dyrmor'', ''Innysmocrinyl'', ''Kykkenot'', ''Mirtum'' and ''Nicoltum'' in Candida Casa [i.e. Whithorn] diocese ... which are being molested".<ref>McGurk (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 326.</ref> No more of such problems are heard. Thomas is next found testifying to an ''inspeximus'' at [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] on March 17, 1416.<ref>Dowden, ''Bishops'', pp. 367-8.</ref> This was made by Bishop Henry de Wardlaw of [[St Andrews]] on the request of the Council of Constance, a sign of the waning loyalty in Scotland and perhaps in Thomas to the Avignon papacy.<ref name=Watt-72/> Bishop Thomas appears to have been suffering ailing health by 1420. In this year he failed to attend a [[provincial council]] of the Scottish church at Perth, although he did sent a proctor.<ref>Dowden, ''Bishops'', p. 368; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 94.</ref> He died at some point between July 16, 1420 (date of the council), and December 4, 1422, when [[Alexander Vaus]], [[Bishop of Caithness]], was translated to be Thomas' successor as Bishop of Galloway.<ref>Dowden, Bishops, p. 368; Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 131.</ref> Professor [[D. E. R. Watt|Donald Watt]] believes that his death probably occurred sometime in 1422.<ref name=Watt-72/>
It is not clear that, with possible Douglas opposition, Thomas obtained possession of the bishopric smoothly. There is a mandate, dated 5 September 1415, to the [[subdean]] of [[Glasgow Cathedral]], ordering the latter to protect "Thomas and his successors in possession of the lands and heredities of ''Innermasan'', ''Dyrmor'', ''Innysmocrinyl'', ''Kykkenot'', ''Mirtum'' and ''Nicoltum'' in Candida Casa [i.e. Whithorn] diocese ... which are being molested".<ref>McGurk (ed.), ''Papal Letters'', p. 326.</ref> No more of such problems are heard. Thomas is next found testifying to an ''inspeximus'' at [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] on 17 March 1416.<ref>Dowden, ''Bishops'', pp. 367–8.</ref> This was made by Bishop Henry de Wardlaw of [[St Andrews]] on the request of the Council of Constance, a sign of the waning loyalty in Scotland and perhaps in Thomas to the Avignon papacy.<ref name=Watt-72/> Bishop Thomas appears to have been suffering ailing health by 1420. In this year he failed to attend a [[Plenary council#Provincial councils|provincial council]] of the Scottish church at Perth, although he did send a proctor.<ref>Dowden, ''Bishops'', p. 368; Watt, ''Dictionary'', p. 94.</ref> He died at some point between 16 July 1420 (date of the council) and 4 December 1422, when [[Alexander Vaus]], [[Bishop of Caithness]], was translated to be Thomas' successor as Bishop of Galloway.<ref>Dowden, ''Bishops'', p. 368; Watt, ''Fasti Ecclesiae'', p. 131.</ref> Professor [[D. E. R. Watt|Donald Watt]] believes that his death probably occurred sometime in 1422.<ref name=Watt-72/>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 57: Line 69:
* Watt, D. E. R., ''Fasti Ecclesiae Scotinanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638'', 2nd Draft, (St Andrews, 1969)
* Watt, D. E. R., ''Fasti Ecclesiae Scotinanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638'', 2nd Draft, (St Andrews, 1969)


{{start box}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-rel}}
{{s-rel}}
{{s-new |creation}}
⚫
{{succession box |
{{s-ttl
before= New creation |
title= [[Provost (religion)|Provost]] of [[Maybole]] |
| title = [[Provost (religion)|Provost]] of [[Maybole]]
years= 1384; 1388–1401; 1415 |
| years = 1384; 1388–1401; 1415
}}
after= Not known<br><small>''Next known provost was'':</small><br><small>John Kennedy</small> }}
{{s-vac|unknownn|next=John Kennedy}}
⚫
{{succession box |
⚫
{{succession box
before=Robert Smerles |
| before = Robert Smerles
title= [[Archdeacon of Galloway]]|
| title = [[Archdeacon of Galloway]]
years= 1391–1415 |
| years = 1391–1415
⚫
after= [[Gilbert Cavan]] }}
⚫
| after = [[Gilbert Cavan]] }}
{{succession box |
⚫
{{succession box
⚫
before=[[Gilbert Cavan]] |
⚫
| before = [[Gilbert Cavan]]
title= [[Bishop of Galloway]]|
⚫
| title = [[Bishop of Galloway]]
⚫
years= 1415–1420; 1422 |
⚫
| years = 1415–1420; 1422
⚫
after= [[Alexander Vaus]] }}
⚫
| after = [[Alexander Vaus]]}}
{{end box}}
{{s-end}}


{{Bishops of Galloway}}
{{Bishops of Galloway}}
Line 80: Line 93:
{{good article}}
{{good article}}


{{Authority control}}
⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buittle, Thomas De}}

⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buittle, Thomas de}}
[[Category:14th-century births]]
[[Category:14th-century births]]
[[Category:1422 deaths]]
[[Category:1420s deaths]]

⚫
[[Category:15th-century Roman Catholic bishops]]
⚫
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Year of death uncertain]]
⚫
[[Category:15th-century Scottish Roman Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford]]
[[Category:Bishops of Galloway]]
[[Category:Bishops of Galloway (pre-Reformation)]]
[[Category:People from Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:Clergy from Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:15th-century Scottish people]]
[[Category:British auditors]]

Latest revision as of 06:51, 26 August 2023

Thomas de Buittle
Bishop of Galloway
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
SeeDiocese of Galloway
In office1415–1420; 1422
PredecessorGilbert Cavan
SuccessorAlexander Vaus
Previous post(s)Provost of Maybole
Archdeacon of Galloway
Orders
Ordinationon or before 1388
Consecration14 June - 5 September 1415
Personal details
Bornunknown
Probably Galloway
Diedc. 1420–1422

Thomas de Buittle [Butil, Butill, Butyll, Butyl, Bucyl] (died c. 1420–1422) was a Scottish prelate, clerk and papal auditor active in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Probably originating in Galloway, Scotland, Thomas took a university career in canon law in England and France, before taking up service at the court of Avignon Pope Benedict XIII. He obtained a number of benefices in the meantime, including the position of Archdeacon of Galloway, and is the earliest known and probably first provost of the collegiate church of Maybole. The height of his career came however when the Pope provided him to the bishopric of Galloway, a position he held from 1415 until his death sometime between 1420 and 1422.

Background and education

[edit]

Thomas' name suggests a strong likelihood that he came from Buittle in Kirkcudbrightshire, Galloway, lands in the control of the Douglas family.[1] In 1388, it was claimed that he had been a scholar of Decrees (i.e. Canon law) at the University of Oxford for five years, a claim to some extent confirmed by the grant of safe-conduct from the English crown on 18 February 1380, to travel and study at Oxford for a year.[2]

By 18 April 1390, he had obtained a Bachelor's degree (in Decrees) from the University of Avignon; he appears in the Avignon university student rolls on 9 August 1393 and again on 21 October 1394.[3] Thomas had obtained a doctorate (in Decrees) sometime between 15 July 1401 and 9 June 1410.[3] He witnessed Bishop Henry de Wardlaw's foundation charter of the University of St Andrews on 28 February 1412 and was named in the grant of privileges made to the new university by Pope Benedict XIII on 28 August 1413.[3]

First provost of Maybole

[edit]
The ruins of collegiate church of Maybole (2005); it was dedicated to St Mary rather than St Cuthbert; St Cuthbert however was the dedication of the parish church.

On 1 February 1388, a letter from Avignon Pope Clement VII to the official of the diocese of Glasgow says that Thomas "holds the provostship of the chapel of St Mary de Mayboyl, Glasgow diocese, which is a simple benefice without cure".[4] The collegiate church of Maybole was founded under the patronage of John Kennedy, Lord of Dunure, a short time before 2 February 1382, when a mandate was issued by the papacy confirming its erection.[5] A year previously the Lord of Dunure had founded a chapel to St Mary beside the parish church of Maybole, and the erection established a provost, two chaplains and a clerk.[6] Thomas de Buittle held the vicarage there.[7] It is possible that Thomas was the senior priest there when it was erected into a collegiate church; Thomas is certainly the earliest known provost, and neither the appointment nor the death of any predecessor are noted anywhere.[8]

He held the vicarage of Lochrutton in Kirkcudbrightshire in 1388, when a papal letter indicated that he was expected to resign Lochrutton after obtaining the benefice of Maybole in the gift of the Prioress of the nunnery of North Berwick.[9] He still held Lochrutton on 18 April 1390, when the letter was repeated.[10] Thomas remained provost of Maybole until at least 1401, and perhaps until his consecration as Bishop of Galloway in 1415.[11] No one else is known to have held the position of provost there until 1439, although this proves nothing as the evidence for such things in the south-west of Scotland in this period is always scarce.[8]

Archdeacon of Galloway

[edit]
Pope Benedict XIII [of Avignon], Thomas' master and patron.

On 2 March 1391, Thomas was provided by the papacy to be Archdeacon of Galloway.[12] On 23 May a mandate was sent to the senior clergy of the bishopric of Glasgow authorising them to collate Thomas to the archdeaconry of Galloway, at that point occupied "unlawfully" by Patrick Smerles; the mandate gave dispensation for Thomas to retain control of both the provostship of Maybole and the vicarage of Lochrutton.[13] He was still litigating with Smerles on 9 August 1393, by which point in time he had resigned Lochrutton; he was in firm possession of the archdeaconry by 21 October 1394.[14] During his time as Archdeacon of Galloway, the church of Penninghame was annexed as a prebend of the office.[3]

Papal career and other benefices

[edit]

He resigned the vicarage of Maybole through a proxy (Patrick de Houston) at the papal court on 16 February 1398, in exchange with Gilbert Adounane for the church of Kirkcolm in Wigtownshire.[15] Sweetheart Abbey, overlords of Kirkholm parish, dispossessed him briefly of this benefice, but Thomas obtained papal restitution in a papal mandate dated 13 October 1410.[3] He got papal provision on 5 December 1412, to the politically important vicarage of Dundonald in Kyle, but this was unfruitful as the previous vicar turned out still to be alive.[3] Presumably in its place he obtained the vicarage of Abernyte in the diocese of Dunkeld on 30 January 1413, but despite promising annates, failed to obtain possession.[3]

He did however successfully obtain provision to the church of Kinkell in the diocese of Aberdeen, and the prebend of Inverkeithny in the diocese of Moray with its associated canonry in Elgin Cathedral.[3] As Thomas seems to have spent most of the early 15th century outside Scotland in the employment of the papacy, these positions were probably given to supplement Thomas' income.[16] When he was in Scotland in February 1412 witnessing the foundation charter of St Andrews University, he was said to hold to elevated post of "auditor of the sacred apostolic palace".[16] He had returned to Pope Benedict's court in Spain later in the same year, and can be found conducting various business there over the next few years, both for the papacy and as a proctor for people in Scotland.[16]

Bishop of Galloway

[edit]

As a reward for his service to the "Avignon Pope", now only recognised in Scotland, Sicily, Aragon and Castile, Thomas was provided to the bishopric of Galloway following the death of Elisaeus Adougan, the previous bishop. This occurred on 14 June 1415.[17] Although the local chapter had elected one Gilbert Cavan, a clerk of the Earl of Douglas, to fill this position, Benedict overturned this election and put Thomas there instead.[18] This probably occurred against the will of the Douglas family, to whom Cavan was a senior clerk.[19] Thomas resigned the archdeaconry of Galloway, with Gilbert Cavan succeeding him there. Presumably in compensation, Gilbert also received Thomas' previous holdings in the dioceses of Moray and Aberdeen.[20] It had been supposed by some authorities that Thomas supported the capitulation of Narbonne, renounced his allegiance to Pope Benedict and supported the adherence to the Council of Constance in December 1415, but this is based on a misreading of the evidence.[16]

It is not clear that, with possible Douglas opposition, Thomas obtained possession of the bishopric smoothly. There is a mandate, dated 5 September 1415, to the subdean of Glasgow Cathedral, ordering the latter to protect "Thomas and his successors in possession of the lands and heredities of Innermasan, Dyrmor, Innysmocrinyl, Kykkenot, Mirtum and Nicoltum in Candida Casa [i.e. Whithorn] diocese ... which are being molested".[21] No more of such problems are heard. Thomas is next found testifying to an inspeximus at Perth on 17 March 1416.[22] This was made by Bishop Henry de Wardlaw of St Andrews on the request of the Council of Constance, a sign of the waning loyalty in Scotland and perhaps in Thomas to the Avignon papacy.[16] Bishop Thomas appears to have been suffering ailing health by 1420. In this year he failed to attend a provincial council of the Scottish church at Perth, although he did send a proctor.[23] He died at some point between 16 July 1420 (date of the council) and 4 December 1422, when Alexander Vaus, Bishop of Caithness, was translated to be Thomas' successor as Bishop of Galloway.[24] Professor Donald Watt believes that his death probably occurred sometime in 1422.[16]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Watt, Dictionary, p. 70.
  2. ^ Burns (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 139; Watt, Dictionary, pp. 70–1.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Watt, Dictionary, p. 71.
  4. ^ Burns (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 139.
  5. ^ Burns (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 82; Cowan & Easson, Medieval Religious Houses, p. 224.
  6. ^ Cowan & Easson, Medieval Religious Houses, p. 224.
  7. ^ Burns (ed.), Papal Letters, pp. 139, 152, 163; Watt, Dictionary, p. 71; see below.
  8. ^ a b Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 366.
  9. ^ Burns (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 139; Watt, Dictionary, p. 71; Maybole parish church had been given to North Berwick nunnery in the reign of Alexander II of Scotland by Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick.
  10. ^ Burns (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 152.
  11. ^ Watt, Dictionary, p. 71; Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 366.
  12. ^ Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 137.
  13. ^ Burns (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 163.
  14. ^ Watt, Dictionary, p. 71; see also McGurk (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 33;
  15. ^ McGurk (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 82; Watt, Dictionary, p. 71.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Watt, Dictionary, p. 72.
  17. ^ Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 131.
  18. ^ Dowden, Bishops, p. 367; Watt, Dictionary, pp. 71, 72; Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 131.
  19. ^ Brown, Black Douglases, p. 195.
  20. ^ McGurk (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 319; Watt, Dictionary, p. 94; Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 137.
  21. ^ McGurk (ed.), Papal Letters, p. 326.
  22. ^ Dowden, Bishops, pp. 367–8.
  23. ^ Dowden, Bishops, p. 368; Watt, Dictionary, p. 94.
  24. ^ Dowden, Bishops, p. 368; Watt, Fasti Ecclesiae, p. 131.

References

[edit]
  • Brown, Michael, The Black Douglases: War and Lordship in Late Medieval Scotland, 1300–1455, (East Linton, 1998)
  • Burns, Charles (ed.), Papal Letters to Scotland of Clement VII of Avignon, 1378–1394, (Edinburgh, 1976)
  • Cowan, Ian B. & Easson, David E., Medieval Religious Houses: Scotland With an Appendix on the Houses in the Isle of Man, Second Edition, (London, 1976)
  • Dowden, John, The Bishops of Scotland, ed. J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912)
  • McGurk, Francis (ed.), Calendar of Papal Letters to Scotland of Benedict XIII of Avignon, 1394–1419, (Edinburgh, 1976)
  • Watt, D. E. R., A Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Graduates to A. D. 1410, (Oxford, 1977)
  • Watt, D. E. R., Fasti Ecclesiae Scotinanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638, 2nd Draft, (St Andrews, 1969)
Religious titles
New creation Provost of Maybole
1384; 1388–1401; 1415 		Vacant
Title next held by
John Kennedy
Preceded by
Robert Smerles
 Archdeacon of Galloway
1391–1415 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Galloway
1415–1420; 1422 		Succeeded by

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Thomas_de_Buittle&oldid=1172302248"