Donald Campbell (abbot) facts for kids

Donald Campbell (Scottish Gaelic: Dòmhnall Caimbeul) was an important Scottish nobleman and church leader who lived in the 1500s. He was born in the early 1500s and died around 1562 or 1563. Donald was the son of Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll. His mother was Elizabeth Stewart.

Donald studied at St Salvator's College, which was part of the University of St Andrews, starting in 1522. After finishing his studies, he became a cleric. This meant he worked for the church in his home area, the diocese of Argyll.

Donald Campbell's Life

Becoming an Abbot

In May 1525, King James V of Scotland suggested that Donald Campbell should become the Abbot of Coupar Angus Abbey. An abbot is the head of a monastery. Even though the monks had already chosen someone else, the King's choice was confirmed by the Scottish parliament the next year.

In 1529, the Pope agreed that Donald could temporarily manage the abbey. He had to become a monk during this time, which he did. Donald spent some time in France during these years.

Donald returned to Scotland in 1532 and took part in parliament meetings. In 1533, he was given an important job as a leader for the Cistercian Order in Scotland. This was a group of monks. While he let other monks handle the daily tasks at the abbey, Donald held many important political jobs in Scotland. He was a Senator of the College of Justice in 1541. He was also a Lord of the Articles for parliament meetings in 1543. By 1545, he was a member of the Privy Council, which advised the King.

Aiming to be a Bishop

In 1549, Donald was nominated to become the Bishop of Dunkeld. A bishop is a high-ranking church leader. The previous bishop had moved to another important church role.

However, another person named Robert Crichton also wanted to be Bishop of Dunkeld. Robert had been chosen by his uncle, the previous bishop, before he died. The Scottish government did not agree with this choice. Robert fought for his claim in Rome, but he was not successful at first. The argument continued for several years.

In 1554, Mary of Guise took over the government of Scotland. She recognized Robert Crichton's claim. Donald Campbell then seemed to give up his pursuit of the bishopric. As a possible reward, he was made the Keeper of the Privy Seal that same year. He held this important position until he died in 1562.

The Scottish Reformation

Around 1557 or 1558, Donald Campbell tried to become a bishop again, this time for the bishopric of Brechin. This position became open when the previous bishop died. Donald tried to get permission from Rome to leave his monk's life and hold both the bishopric and his abbacy. However, he never officially became the Bishop of Brechin.

Donald's plans were soon changed by a big event in Scottish history called the Scottish Reformation. This was a time when many people in Scotland changed from being Catholic to Protestant.

In April 1558, Donald was present when a Protestant man named Walter Milne was burned to death. But surprisingly, the very next year, Abbot Campbell himself became a Protestant. He was encouraged by a group called the Lords of the Congregation. He stopped wearing his monk's robes. He also banned Catholic services, called mass, from his monastery. He even destroyed the religious statues and altars there. He then gave control of Coupar Angus Abbey to his friend, Katherine Campbell, Countess of Crawford.

The next year, Donald attended the Scottish Reformation Parliament. This parliament made the decision to break Scotland's ties with the Catholic Church in Rome.

Donald Campbell died sometime between December 16, 1562, and January 20, 1563. He had five sons. Later, they were officially declared legitimate. This allowed them to inherit land that had once belonged to the Catholic Church and was given out by the state after the Reformation.