The Right Reverend David Hamilton, Bishop of Argyll

THE RIGHT REVEREND DAVID HAMILTON

Graduated Master of Arts from the University of Glasgow; Student in Paris; Clerk of Glasgow; Bishop of Lismore; Bishop of Argyll; Perpetual Commendator of Dryburgh Abbey

The Right Reverend David Hamilton, Bishop of Argyll, was an illegitimate son of James Hamilton, Lord Hamilton, possibly his father's third son by Janet Calderwood. The Bishops of Scotland: 387 He studied at the University of Glasgow and graduated in Arts in 1492 and later studied in Paris. He was given the bishopric of Argyll in 1497. He was witness to royal charters and served on royal commissions and in the exchequer in early 16th century. Between 1505-1507, he acted in Kintyre on royal business, making rentals of lands. He built Saddell Castle between 1508-1512. Wikipedia: David Hamilton

Death

The Right Reverend David Hamilton is said to have died in 1523, although this has not been confirmed. Bishops of Scotland: 387-9 He is certainly known to have been alive on 28 March 1522, Laing Charters: 333 and to have died before 19 December 1523. NRS: GD86/88

Evidence from the Laing Charters

28 March 1522: Charter under the Great Seal [not in printed register] by- King James the Fifth, with consent of John, Duke of Albany, Governor, to the tenants now occupiers and possessors of the crown lands of Ferifelde and Bonfelde, in the lord- ship and shire of Fife, granting to them these whole lands, namely to each of said tenants the portion of the lands which they or their ancestors had occupied : To be held in feu- farm, etc., and burgage of the burgh of Cupar in Fife, for payment of £20 Scots annually proportionally to each tenant. Dated at Edinburgh, 28th March 1522. M'^itnesses, James [Betoun], archbishop of Glasgow, chancellor, David [Arnot], bishop of Galloway, etc., DAVID [Hamilton], BISHOP OF LISMORE, Alexander, Earl of Huntly, James, Earl of Arran, Hugh, Earl of Eglinton, John, prior of St. Andrews, vicar-general (the see being vacant), George, abbot of Holyrood, Privy Seal, and Robert, abbot of Paisley. Calendar of the Laing Charters: 333

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

19 December 1523: Instrument under the hands of Cuthbert Simson, clerk, of the diocese of Glasgow, and sworn notary of the lords, dean and chapter of the Church of Glasgow, and Thomas Hammyltoun, presbyter, of said diocese, notaries public, narrating that Mr. James Steward, clerk, of said diocese (postulate, as he asserts, to the monastery of Driburgh of the Premonstratensian Order in the diocese of St. Andrews, VACANT BY THE DEATH OF DAVID, BISHOP OF LISMORE, PERPETUAL COMMENDATOR OF SAID MONASTERY) compeared in their presence and shewed that John, Duke of Albany, governor of Scotland and lawful tutor to the king (in consideration of the great benefits and services rendered by John, Earl of Levenax, Lord Dernlye, to the king, governor and kingdom of Scotland for defence of the said kingdom and because he wished very much to procure for the Earl and his children, who are nobles of the kingdom, descended from a noble family and of the blood royal, some grant in aid and also because the said monastery, which is situated on the English border, and is almost destroyed and devastated by the English, needs the help of some powerful man for its maintenance, upkeep and safety) nominated, in virtue of his royal authority for their defence and ease, John Steward, lawful second son (filium legitimum et naturalem ac secundo genitum) of the said Earl, to the government of said monastery; but because the said John Steward was a minor, he and his father, on account of his insufficiency and unfitness to sustain and undertake the government & administration of the monastery transferred the nomination and all his right to the said Mr. James Steward and in order that he might continue in possession procured him to be nominated and postulated by the said governor thereto de novo even as he had been nominated and postulated thereto through the Earl and his son: Further narrating that lest the said John Steward should suffer excessive damage or loss through the transfer of his rights, the said Mr. James, of his own free will and certain knowledge, made, constituted and ordained Thomas Regis, John Danielo and Peter Lamberti, abbreviators of apostolis letters de maiori presidencia, Peter Mertiati and William de Boys, apostolic writers, Adam Symson, John Duncanson, James Brown and Mathew Steward, Scotsmen, his procurators to compear for him conjointly and severally at the Roman Court and there, after he was provided to the said monastery, to consent to a pension of £500 Scots being paid yearly to the said John Steward from the fruits and rents thereof. Done in the Earl's House (edibus) in the city of Glasgow on Saturday 19th December 1523. Witnesses, Adam Colquhoun, canon of Glasgow, Robert Maxwell, provost of the collegiate Church of Dunbertane, James Knox, vicar of Curmannok and John Smyth, priests, and Alan Steward of Cragehall, layman, of the diocese of Glasgow. National Records of Scotland, Sir William Fraser Charters, reference GD86/88

Biography

1. The Bishops of Scotland: 387-89
2. Wikipedia: David Hamilton