Alexander Campbell of Carco facts for kids

Alexander Campbell (died February 1608) was an important Scottish noble and church leader. He was also known as Alasdair Caimbeul. He came from a powerful family called Clan Campbell. His career began in the 1560s when he was still very young. He worked for the Earl of Argyll, a powerful Scottish noble.

Alexander Campbell became the Bishop of Brechin. As bishop, he quickly gave away most of the church's lands and money to the Earl of Argyll. Later, he traveled to Geneva to get a Protestant education. He returned to Scotland in the mid-1570s. He then continued his work as a minister and Bishop of Brechin until 1607, a year before he died.

Becoming Bishop and Giving Away Lands

Alexander Campbell was born in the mid-1500s in Atholl, Scotland. His father was Sir John Campbell, the laird (landowner) of Ardkinglas. Alexander's brother, James Campbell, became a "comptroller," which was a financial officer for the king.

On May 6, 1566, when Alexander was still a minor (underage), he was chosen to become the Bishop of Brechin. This happened because Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, a Protestant noble, wanted it. The king officially nominated Alexander to the church on July 21, 1566. Alexander started acting as a bishop right away. However, there is no clear proof he was officially made a bishop until a document from July 23, 1569.

The Earl of Argyll had a clear reason for wanting his young relative to be bishop. Bishop Alexander soon started giving away most of the church's lands and income. He gave the largest share to the Earl of Argyll. A historian named Robert Keith wrote that Bishop Alexander "retained for his successors scarce so much as would be a moderate competency for a minister in Brechin." This means he left very little for future bishops.

His Travels and Education

In May 1567, Alexander Campbell received permission from the king to leave Scotland. But he was still in Scotland in July 1569. At that time, he voted against canceling the divorce of Mary, Queen of Scots.

It's hard to know exactly what he did during this time. But we know that in January 1574, Campbell was attending school in Geneva. He traveled back to Scotland later that year. He came with his teacher, Andrew Polwart, and Polwart's friend, Andrew Melville. They arrived in Edinburgh by July 1574.

Later Years as Bishop

After returning to Scotland, Alexander Campbell continued his role as a minister and Bishop of Brechin. He attended important meetings of the Church of Scotland, called "general assemblies."

Another bishop, James Paton, accused Campbell of giving away church money as "pensions." This issue was discussed at a church meeting in Edinburgh in March 1575. The meeting ordered John Erskine of Dun to teach Campbell about a bishop's proper duties.

Five years later, Bishop Alexander had more problems with the church. He did not show up for a meeting in Dundee in July 1580. In 1582, another meeting ordered church leaders in the Mearns area to bring charges against him. We don't know what happened with these charges because the records are missing.

However, in the next twenty years, Campbell was active in politics. He attended many church assemblies, parliaments, and meetings of the Privy Council of Scotland. He often supported the Earl of Argyll. In April 1602, the Privy Council met in Brechin. They called Campbell a "traitor," even though he was part of the council himself! That was the last time Campbell attended the Privy Council.

Death and Family

Alexander Campbell officially gave up his role as Bishop of Brechin by April 22, 1607. He then moved to his lands at Carco, near Kinclaven in Atholl. He died the next year, in February 1608.

After the Scottish Reformation, it became acceptable for church leaders to marry. Alexander Campbell was married twice. His first wife was Margaret Bethune. His second wife was Helen Clephane. Helen and their two daughters and one son survived him after his death.