James Haldenston
Encyclopedia
James Haldenston or James Haldenstoun (died 18 July 1443) was an Augustinian churchman from 15th-century Scotland
. Probably from somewhere in eastern Fife, Haldenston became an Augustinian at St Andrews, earned several degrees on the continent
, and became prior of May before becoming prior of St Andrews
, head of the wealthiest and most important religious house in Scotland.
1355–1380).
James was a Bachelor
of theology by 17 September 1412, and a Master
in Theology by 21 June 1414. By 1417 he had a doctorate
in theology. He was probably a graduate of the University of Paris
, It is likely that he had become a canon
of St Andrews Cathedral Priory
before going to France for his studies. He certainly was a St Andrews canon as early as 1407, when he had some right to the position of prior of May. Haldenston was probably a client of Henry Wardlaw
, Bishop of St Andrews (1403–1440), who supported his candidature for May and for his later offices.
He had intermittent possession of the office of prior of May for over a decade, litigating for the right with his rival William Nory. He had some right by September 1407, but Nory was the expected successor of Robert de Leuchars, and it is unclear to what extent Haldenston ever enjoyed possession of the office or its fruits. The battle involved trips to the papal court
and an armed attack on the priory's manor at Pittenweem
by Nory's followers. The priory of May had been located formerly on an island
in the Firth of Forth
, but by this time was at Pittenweem on the nearby Fife coast.
late in 1417, being elected following the death of the previous prior William de Camera. William de Camera himself had been elected only in 1416, and had gone to the papal court to have his position confirmed. Prior William however found Haldenston and John Bullock
already there claiming the position. Pope Benedict XIII
commissioned the bishops of Glasgow and St Andrews to investigate the matter, but Prior William died on his way back to Scotland, at Brugge
in Flanders
. Haldenston was elected prior later in the year [1417]. The claim to the position by John Bullock
was probably given up by the latter when he became bishop of Ross
.
He was one of an embassy from James I to the Roman court in 1425. He did much to beautify the monastery and the cathedral church of St Andrews, and improve the services, and was zealous against heretics. Pope Martin V
granted him the right of wearing the mitre
, ring, pastoral staff, and other pontifical insignia in parliament
.
During his time as head of the cathedral priory, Haldenson was dean
of theology
in the new University of St Andrews
, and became closely involved in its affairs. The prior witnessed James I
's confirmation of the university's privileges at Perth
in March 1432. His close involvement with the university generated conflict with the university rector regarding power and jurisdiction, and an agreement between the prior and rector had to be drawn up. He was later remembered [in the 16th century] as one of the university's founders, but this tradition is inaccurate.
The dean installed graduand
s at the university, and was praised by historian Walter Bower
for his skill as a teacher, as a papal tax-collector and as an inquisitor
of lollards and other heretics. Certain statute
s of the Faculty of Theology indicate that the dean was rather "autocratic" [Watt], and a letter of his survives banning lecturing to one John Shaw owing to the latter's suspected heretical leanings. Haldenston's deanship coincided with the presence of the famous theologian Laurence of Lindores.
He died at St Andrews on 18 July 1443, and was interred in the north wall of the lady chapel of the cathedral. He is said to have written a treatise, Contra Lolardos, another entitled Processus contra Hæreticos, and a third, De Privilegiis Claustri sui, but none of these seem now extant. A letter-book of his, a Copiale, survives, illuminating James' period of office. Walter Bower, abbot of Inchcolm
and source of much information about the priors of St Andrews, described him as "a man of great eloquence, and a person of pleasing appearance, quite elegant and becoming in his dress and bearing". Bower recorded his epitaph, and added a physical description, noting his white hair and medium size.
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
. Probably from somewhere in eastern Fife, Haldenston became an Augustinian at St Andrews, earned several degrees on the continent
Continental Europe
Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands....
, and became prior of May before becoming prior of St Andrews
Prior of St Andrews
The Prior of St Andrews was the head of the property and community of Augustinian canons of St Andrews Cathedral Priory, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. It was established by King David I in 1140 with canons from Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire...
, head of the wealthiest and most important religious house in Scotland.
Background
Haldenston's origin is unclear. His surname is spelled variously as "Halenston", "Haldenson", "Hawdenston", "Haddistoun", "Haldestoun" and "Aldeston", and it is attested in eastern Fife in the 1380s and 1390s. He had a brother called Andrew, who witnessed two of his charters in the 1430s, and a kinsman by the name of Robert de Kinmounth (or Kininmund, as in Alexander de Kinimund, Bishop of AberdeenBishop 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...
1355–1380).
James was a Bachelor
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...
of theology by 17 September 1412, and a Master
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Theology by 21 June 1414. By 1417 he had a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in theology. He was probably a graduate of 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...
, It is likely that he had become a canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of St Andrews Cathedral Priory
St Andrews Cathedral Priory
St Andrews Cathedral Priory was a priory of Augustinian canons in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Plans were made for its foundation in the reign of Alaxandair mac Maíl Choluim , who set aside some land for that purpose. It was finally established by King David I and his son in 1140 with canons from...
before going to France for his studies. He certainly was a St Andrews canon as early as 1407, when he had some right to the position of prior of May. Haldenston was probably a client of Henry Wardlaw
Henry Wardlaw
Henry Wardlaw was a Scottish church leader, Bishop of St Andrews and founder of the University of St Andrews.He was a son of II Laird of Wilton Henry Wardlaw who was b. 1318, and a nephew of Walter Wardlaw Henry Wardlaw (died 6 April 1440) was a Scottish church leader, Bishop of St Andrews and...
, Bishop of St Andrews (1403–1440), who supported his candidature for May and for his later offices.
He had intermittent possession of the office of prior of May for over a decade, litigating for the right with his rival William Nory. He had some right by September 1407, but Nory was the expected successor of Robert de Leuchars, and it is unclear to what extent Haldenston ever enjoyed possession of the office or its fruits. The battle involved trips to the papal court
Papal court
The Papal Household or Pontifical Household , called until 1968 the Papal Court , consists of dignitaries who assist the Pope in carrying out particular ceremonies of either a religious or a civil character....
and an armed attack on the priory's manor at Pittenweem
Pittenweem
Pittenweem is a small and secluded fishing village and civil parish tucked in the corner of Fife on the east coast of Scotland. According to the 2006 estimate, the village has a population of 1,600. At the 2001 census, the parish had a population of 1,747....
by Nory's followers. The priory of May had been located formerly on an island
Isle of May
The Isle of May is located in the north of the outer Firth of Forth, approximately off the coast of mainland Scotland. It is 1.8 km long and less than half a kilometre wide...
in the Firth of Forth
Firth of Forth
The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the north, and West Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian to the south...
, but by this time was at Pittenweem on the nearby Fife coast.
Prior of St Andrews
Haldenston became prior of St AndrewsPrior of St Andrews
The Prior of St Andrews was the head of the property and community of Augustinian canons of St Andrews Cathedral Priory, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. It was established by King David I in 1140 with canons from Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire...
late in 1417, being elected following the death of the previous prior William de Camera. William de Camera himself had been elected only in 1416, and had gone to the papal court to have his position confirmed. Prior William however found Haldenston and John Bullock
John Bullock
John Bullock O.S.A. was an Augustinian canon and prelate active in the 15th century Kingdom of Scotland. While earning a university degree between 1409 and 1417, Bullock gained several benefices in Scotland, and claimed the headship of St Andrews Cathedral Priory before becoming Bishop of Ross in...
already there claiming the position. Pope Benedict XIII
Antipope Benedict XIII
Benedict XIII, born Pedro Martínez de Luna y Pérez de Gotor , known as in Spanish, was an Aragonese nobleman, who is officially considered by the Catholic Church to be an antipope....
commissioned the bishops of Glasgow and St Andrews to investigate the matter, but Prior William died on his way back to Scotland, at Brugge
Brügge
Brügge is a municipality in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.Its small church and market square are noted for their beauty....
in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
. Haldenston was elected prior later in the year [1417]. The claim to the position by John Bullock
John Bullock
John Bullock O.S.A. was an Augustinian canon and prelate active in the 15th century Kingdom of Scotland. While earning a university degree between 1409 and 1417, Bullock gained several benefices in Scotland, and claimed the headship of St Andrews Cathedral Priory before becoming Bishop of Ross in...
was probably given up by the latter when he became bishop of Ross
Bishop of Ross
The Bishop of Ross was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Ross, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. The first recorded bishop appears in the late 7th century as a witness to Adomnán of Iona's Cáin Adomnáin. The bishopric was based at the settlement of Rosemarkie until the mid-13th...
.
He was one of an embassy from James I to the Roman court in 1425. He did much to beautify the monastery and the cathedral church of St Andrews, and improve the services, and was zealous against heretics. Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:...
granted him the right of wearing the mitre
Mitre
The mitre , also spelled miter, is a type of headwear now known as the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the Anglican Communion, some Lutheran churches, and also bishops and certain other clergy in the Eastern Orthodox...
, ring, pastoral staff, and other pontifical insignia in parliament
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
.
During his time as head of the cathedral priory, Haldenson was dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
in the new 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 became closely involved in its affairs. The prior witnessed James I
James I of Scotland
James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...
's confirmation of the university's privileges at Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
in March 1432. His close involvement with the university generated conflict with the university rector regarding power and jurisdiction, and an agreement between the prior and rector had to be drawn up. He was later remembered [in the 16th century] as one of the university's founders, but this tradition is inaccurate.
The dean installed graduand
Graduand
Graduand refers to the status of an undergraduate or graduate student in the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth states who has finished his or her studies at university, but not yet graduated in a formal ceremony....
s at the university, and was praised by historian Walter Bower
Walter Bower
Walter Bower , Scottish chronicler, was born about 1385 at Haddington, East Lothian.He was abbot of Inchcolm Abbey from 1418, was one of the commissioners for the collection of the ransom of James I, King of Scots, in 1423 and 1424, and in 1433 one of the embassy to Paris on the business of the...
for his skill as a teacher, as a papal tax-collector and as an inquisitor
Inquisitor
An inquisitor was an official in an Inquisition, an organisation or program intended to eliminate heresy and other things frowned on by the Roman Catholic Church...
of lollards and other heretics. Certain statute
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
s of the Faculty of Theology indicate that the dean was rather "autocratic" [Watt], and a letter of his survives banning lecturing to one John Shaw owing to the latter's suspected heretical leanings. Haldenston's deanship coincided with the presence of the famous theologian Laurence of Lindores.
He died at St Andrews on 18 July 1443, and was interred in the north wall of the lady chapel of the cathedral. He is said to have written a treatise, Contra Lolardos, another entitled Processus contra Hæreticos, and a third, De Privilegiis Claustri sui, but none of these seem now extant. A letter-book of his, a Copiale, survives, illuminating James' period of office. Walter Bower, abbot of Inchcolm
Abbot of Inchcolm
The Abbot of Inchcolm, or until 1235, the Prior of Inchcolm, was the head of the Augustinian monastic community of Inchcolm .-Priors of Inchcolm:...
and source of much information about the priors of St Andrews, described him as "a man of great eloquence, and a person of pleasing appearance, quite elegant and becoming in his dress and bearing". Bower recorded his epitaph, and added a physical description, noting his white hair and medium size.