George Learmond
Encyclopedia
George Learmond (c. 1478–1531) was a Scottish Benedictine
who was Prior of Pluscarden
and almost Bishop of Aberdeen
. He was probably born around 1478, graduated Master of Arts
from the University of St Andrews
in 1498 and maintained links with the university while holding benefices in St Andrews
(1498–1503) and Fordoun
in Kincardineshire
(1503–1509).
Following the resignation of Robert Harwor he was nominated Prior of Pluscarden
by King James IV of Scotland
in March 1509. As the late Abbot Mark Dilworth observed in Pluscarden Benedictines 129 (Pentecost 2003, pp. 16–17) the monastery enjoyed a certain autonomy and neither the abbot nor chapter of Dunfermline Abbey
were involved in Learmonth's election. He held the office for twenty years, having taken the monastic habit, and very little is recorded of his activities; presumably his monastic life was quiet.
It was not to last, however: he was plucked from the cloister on May 20, 1529 when Pope Clement VII
appointed him colleague and successor to Bishop Gavin Dunbar
, although Learmonth predeceased the Bishop of Aberdeen, dying on March 18, 1531.
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
who was Prior of Pluscarden
Prior of Pluscarden
The Prior of Pluscarden was the head of the Valliscaulian, and then Benedictine, monastic community and lands of Pluscarden Priory, Moray. It was founded in 1230 by King Alexander II of Scotland...
and almost Bishop 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...
. He was probably born around 1478, graduated Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
from 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...
in 1498 and maintained links with the university while holding benefices in St Andrews
St Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
(1498–1503) and Fordoun
Fordoun
Fordoun is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Fothirdun , as it was historically known, was an important area in the Howe of the Mearns...
in Kincardineshire
Kincardineshire
The County of Kincardine, also known as Kincardineshire or The Mearns was a local government county on the coast of northeast Scotland...
(1503–1509).
Following the resignation of Robert Harwor he was nominated Prior of Pluscarden
Prior of Pluscarden
The Prior of Pluscarden was the head of the Valliscaulian, and then Benedictine, monastic community and lands of Pluscarden Priory, Moray. It was founded in 1230 by King Alexander II of Scotland...
by King James IV of Scotland
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
in March 1509. As the late Abbot Mark Dilworth observed in Pluscarden Benedictines 129 (Pentecost 2003, pp. 16–17) the monastery enjoyed a certain autonomy and neither the abbot nor chapter of Dunfermline Abbey
Dunfermline Abbey
Dunfermline Abbey is as a Church of Scotland Parish Church located in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. In 2002 the congregation had 806 members. The minister is the Reverend Alastair Jessamine...
were involved in Learmonth's election. He held the office for twenty years, having taken the monastic habit, and very little is recorded of his activities; presumably his monastic life was quiet.
It was not to last, however: he was plucked from the cloister on May 20, 1529 when Pope Clement VII
Pope Clement VII
Clement VII , born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici, was a cardinal from 1513 to 1523 and was Pope from 1523 to 1534.-Early life:...
appointed him colleague and successor to Bishop Gavin Dunbar
Gavin Dunbar
Gavin Dunbar was a 16th century bishop of Aberdeen. He was the son of Sir Alexander Dunbar of Westfield, near Elgin and Elizabeth Sutherland, apparently a daughter of Alexander Sutherland, Laird of Duffus...
, although Learmonth predeceased the Bishop of Aberdeen, dying on March 18, 1531.