Alexander Bur (died 1397) was a 14th-century Scottish cleric. It is highly possible that Bur came from somewhere in or around Aberdeenshire, although that is not certain and is only based on the knowledge that Aberdeenshire is where other people bearing his surname come from in this period.[1] He entered the service of King David II of Scotland sometime after 1343, perhaps as a member of David's exiled court at Château Gaillard. Although Alexander by this point in time already held prebends in both the bishopric of Aberdeen and the bishopric of Dunkeld (where he also held a canonry), on that date King David petitioned Pope Clement VI for another canonry in the bishopric of Moray.[2] Alexander had become a royal clerk and had obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law by 1350. By the latter date, upon the death of Adam Penny (or Adam Parry), Archdeacon of Moray, Alexander himself became Archdeacon.[3]
In the autumn of this year King David II made an expedition into the north, apparently to escape the effects of the Black Death.[4] David was also re-establishing his authority in the area, which involved seizing the castle of Kildrummy from its owner, Thomas, Earl of Mar. Soon after David reached Kildrummy, John de Pilmuir, Bishop of Moray, died. This gave King David the opportunity to secure the election of his close follower, Alexander Bur, as the successor to Pilmuir. David was staying at the episcopal castle at Spynie, a possession of Bishop of St. Andrews, and his presence there undoubtedly ensured that the canons carried out the king's will.[5] Alexander was at Avignon in late December 1362, where he is mentioned as "bishop-elect and confirmed" of Moray,[6] but he was not consecrated by the Pope until sometime between early January and early February 1363.[7]
Dowden, John, The Bishops of Scotland, ed. J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912)
Grant, Alexander, "The Wolf of Badenoch", in W. D. H. Sellar (ed.), Moray: Province and People, (Edinburgh, 1993), pp. 143–161
Keith, Robert, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops: Down to the Year 1688, (London, 1924)
Oram, Richard, "Alexander Bur, Bishop of Moray, 1362—1397", in Barbara Crawford (ed.), Church Chronicle and Learning in Medieval and Early Renaissance Scotland, (Edinburgh, 1999), pp. 195–213
Watt, D.E.R., Fasti Ecclesiae Scotinanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638, 2nd Draft, (St Andrews, 1969)
alexander, died, 1397, 14th, century, scottish, cleric, highly, possible, that, came, from, somewhere, around, aberdeenshire, although, that, certain, only, based, knowledge, that, aberdeenshire, where, other, people, bearing, surname, come, from, this, period. Alexander Bur died 1397 was a 14th century Scottish cleric It is highly possible that Bur came from somewhere in or around Aberdeenshire although that is not certain and is only based on the knowledge that Aberdeenshire is where other people bearing his surname come from in this period 1 He entered the service of King David II of Scotland sometime after 1343 perhaps as a member of David s exiled court at Chateau Gaillard Although Alexander by this point in time already held prebends in both the bishopric of Aberdeen and the bishopric of Dunkeld where he also held a canonry on that date King David petitioned Pope Clement VI for another canonry in the bishopric of Moray 2 Alexander had become a royal clerk and had obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law by 1350 By the latter date upon the death of Adam Penny or Adam Parry Archdeacon of Moray Alexander himself became Archdeacon 3 Alexander BurBishop of MoraySeal of Alexander Bur ChurchRoman Catholic ChurchSeeDiocese of MorayIn office1362 1397PredecessorJohn de PilmuirSuccessorWilliam de SpynieOrdersOrdinationbefore 1343ConsecrationEarly 1363Personal detailsBorn1320s or 1330sAberdeenshire Died15 May 1397Spynie Palace MorayPrevious post s Archdeacon of MorayIn the autumn of this year King David II made an expedition into the north apparently to escape the effects of the Black Death 4 David was also re establishing his authority in the area which involved seizing the castle of Kildrummy from its owner Thomas Earl of Mar Soon after David reached Kildrummy John de Pilmuir Bishop of Moray died This gave King David the opportunity to secure the election of his close follower Alexander Bur as the successor to Pilmuir David was staying at the episcopal castle at Spynie a possession of Bishop of St Andrews and his presence there undoubtedly ensured that the canons carried out the king s will 5 Alexander was at Avignon in late December 1362 where he is mentioned as bishop elect and confirmed of Moray 6 but he was not consecrated by the Pope until sometime between early January and early February 1363 7 Alexander Bur was involved in a famous conflict with Alexander Stewart Earl of Buchan and Lord of Badenoch which famously led to the burning of Elgin Cathedral He died at Spynie Palace on 15 May 1397 8 Notes edit Oram Alexander Bur p 195 Oram Alexander Bur pp 195 6 Watt Fasti Ecclesiae p 238 Oram Alexander Bur p 196 Grant The Wolf of Badenoch Oram Alexander Bur p 197 Dowden Bishops of Scotland p 154 Watt Fasti Eccesiae p 215 Watt Fasti Ecclesiae p 215 References editDowden John The Bishops of Scotland ed J Maitland Thomson Glasgow 1912 Grant Alexander The Wolf of Badenoch in W D H Sellar ed Moray Province and People Edinburgh 1993 pp 143 161 Keith Robert An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops Down to the Year 1688 London 1924 Oram Richard Alexander Bur Bishop of Moray 1362 1397 in Barbara Crawford ed Church Chronicle and Learning in Medieval and Early Renaissance Scotland Edinburgh 1999 pp 195 213 Watt D E R Fasti Ecclesiae Scotinanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638 2nd Draft St Andrews 1969 Religious titlesPreceded byAdam Penny Archdeacon of Moray1350 1362 Succeeded byWilliam de ForresPreceded byJohn de Pilmuir Bishop of Moray1362 1397 Succeeded byWilliam de Spynie Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alexander Bur amp oldid 1171596801, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
