Andrew de Durisdere
Encyclopedia
Andrew de Durisdeer [Durisdere] or Andrew Muirhead (died 1473) was a 15th century bishop of Glasgow. "Muirhead" is not used in any contemporary sources, and may be inaccurate. However, his geographical appellation indicates that he came from Durisdeer
in Galloway
. Durisdeer is often taken as an Anglo
-Latin corruption of dorus doire, entrance to the wood or thicket; but the word dair is also an old Gaelic word for an oak
wood, and this is probably why Andrew had acorn
s on his seal
. This moreover also indicates that Muirhead may very well have been his surname, because other prominent Muirheads of the period also had acorns on their seals.
Andrew de Durisdeer obtained a Bachelor's degree
at the University of St Andrews
, and in 1437 was admitted into the University of Paris
, gaining a licentiate
upon graduation in 1438. As a subdean of the diocese of Glasgow he had a close relationship with Bishop William Turnbull. By 1450, Andrew was a dean of the diocese of Aberdeen
, and in the period 1451-1453 he effectively became the ambassador of King James II of Scotland
to the papal court. Andrew was highly thought of by Pope Nicholas V
. On 7 May 1455, Pope Calixtus III personally provided Andrew to the bishopric of Glasgow, despite not yet having risen to the rank of sub-deacon. His provision followed the death of William Turnbull on 2 September 1454. He was consecrated at some point between September 1455 and May 1456.
Andrew was an active player in the national governmental scene. He attended the parliaments of 1464, 1467, 1468, 1469 and 1471. After the death of James II in 1460, Andrew was appointed as one of the seven people on the Council of the Regency. Andrew was played a role as an ambassador. He went to England, for instance, in 1463 to negotiate a truce. In 1468, he went to Denmark
to arrange a marriage between the young king James III
and Margaret of Denmark.
He died on 20 November 1473.
Durisdeer
Durisdeer is a small village in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. It lies north of Thornhill, above the Carron Water, a tributary of the Nith....
in Galloway
Galloway
Galloway is an area in southwestern Scotland. It usually refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire...
. Durisdeer is often taken as an Anglo
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
-Latin corruption of dorus doire, entrance to the wood or thicket; but the word dair is also an old Gaelic word for an oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
wood, and this is probably why Andrew had acorn
Acorn
The acorn, or oak nut, is the nut of the oaks and their close relatives . It usually contains a single seed , enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule. Acorns vary from 1–6 cm long and 0.8–4 cm broad...
s on his seal
Seal (device)
A seal can be a figure impressed in wax, clay, or some other medium, or embossed on paper, with the purpose of authenticating a document ; but the term can also mean the device for making such impressions, being essentially a mould with the mirror image of the design carved in sunken- relief or...
. This moreover also indicates that Muirhead may very well have been his surname, because other prominent Muirheads of the period also had acorns on their seals.
Andrew de Durisdeer obtained a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
at the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, and in 1437 was admitted into the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
, gaining a licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
upon graduation in 1438. As a subdean of the diocese of Glasgow he had a close relationship with Bishop William Turnbull. By 1450, Andrew was a dean of the diocese of Aberdeen
Bishop of Aberdeen
The Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan...
, and in the period 1451-1453 he effectively became the ambassador of King James II of Scotland
James II of Scotland
James II reigned as King of Scots from 1437 to his death.He was the son of James I, King of Scots, and Joan Beaufort...
to the papal court. Andrew was highly thought of by Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician...
. On 7 May 1455, Pope Calixtus III personally provided Andrew to the bishopric of Glasgow, despite not yet having risen to the rank of sub-deacon. His provision followed the death of William Turnbull on 2 September 1454. He was consecrated at some point between September 1455 and May 1456.
Andrew was an active player in the national governmental scene. He attended the parliaments of 1464, 1467, 1468, 1469 and 1471. After the death of James II in 1460, Andrew was appointed as one of the seven people on the Council of the Regency. Andrew was played a role as an ambassador. He went to England, for instance, in 1463 to negotiate a truce. In 1468, he went to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
to arrange a marriage between the young king James III
James III of Scotland
James III was King of Scots from 1460 to 1488. James was an unpopular and ineffective monarch owing to an unwillingness to administer justice fairly, a policy of pursuing alliance with the Kingdom of England, and a disastrous relationship with nearly all his extended family.His reputation as the...
and Margaret of Denmark.
He died on 20 November 1473.