Fionnlagh MacCailein facts for kids

Fionnlagh MacCailein (died 1419) was an important Scottish bishop during the medieval period. He served as the Bishop of Dunblane from 1403 until his death in 1419. Not much is known about his early life or all the details of his time as bishop.

Fionnlagh was closely connected to Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, who was a powerful figure in Scotland at the time. The Duke of Albany helped Fionnlagh in his career, and Fionnlagh was one of many church leaders from Gaelic-speaking parts of Scotland who received support from the Duke. Fionnlagh is also remembered for supposedly allowing the building of the first bridge over the river Allan in Dunblane.

Early Life and Career

Fionnlagh's last name, MacCailein, means "son of Cailean" in Gaelic. It might mean his father's name was Cailean, or it could mean he was part of the Clan Campbell, a powerful family also known as MacCailein.

By December 1400, Fionnlagh had earned a bachelor's degree in canon law. Canon law is the set of rules and laws used by the Christian Church.

In 1402, Pope Benedict XIII gave Fionnlagh a special position called a canonry in the diocese of Dunkeld. A canonry is a position for a priest who is part of a group of clergy serving a cathedral. This papal document also confirmed that Fionnlagh was a priest and had his bachelor's degree. It also stated that he was the Archdeacon of Dunblane. An archdeacon is a senior church official who helps the bishop.

Fionnlagh also held other church positions. He was in charge of the hospital of Uthrogle and a special teaching role at the church of Abernethy. This teaching role was called "ferlinn," which means "man of letters" or "scholar."

Support from the Duke of Albany

During this time, Fionnlagh was the chaplain (a personal priest) to Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. The Duke of Albany was very important to Fionnlagh's career. The Duke helped Fionnlagh get many of his church positions, and all the places Fionnlagh worked were under the Duke's influence. Even Fionnlagh's boss, Bishop Dúghall de Lorne of Dunblane, was also a supporter of the Duke of Albany.

Becoming Bishop of Dunblane

Dunblane Cathedral, the main church (or cathedral) where the Bishop of Dunblane had his special seat.

After Bishop Dúghall died, Fionnlagh was chosen to be the next Bishop of Dunblane. On September 10, 1403, the Pope officially appointed Fionnlagh to the bishopric. This was a direct appointment from the Pope, as the Pope had reserved the right to choose the bishop for Dunblane. Fionnlagh became a full bishop by April 28, 1404, when his consecration (a special ceremony making him a bishop) had definitely taken place.

By April 1404, Fionnlagh was back in Scotland, attending a church council (a meeting of church leaders) in Linlithgow. We don't know much about his daily activities as Bishop of Dunblane. In 1404, the Pope asked Fionnlagh, along with two other bishops, to preach a crusade against the Turks. A crusade was a religious war, often to defend Christian lands.

Fionnlagh was in Dunblane on November 29, 1406, where he witnessed a charter (an official document) for the Duke of Albany. He was also at a church council in Perth on July 18, 1408, and witnessed another charter for the Duke of Albany on October 28 that year.

In 1411, Bishop Fionnlagh and two others were given permission by the Pope to use money from the empty diocese of Argyll to fix Lismore Cathedral. This was the main church for that bishopric.

Fionnlagh is also mentioned in a papal order from June 1, 1414. This order told John, the Abbot of Balmerino, to promise his loyalty to the Pope through Bishop Fionnlagh. Abbot John had previously worked as Fionnlagh's proctor (someone who acts on behalf of another) at the Pope's court.

Bishop Fionnlagh also witnessed an important event on June 12, 1415. This was when Euphemia II, Countess of Ross, gave up her title as Countess of Ross to the Duke of Albany. Fionnlagh was also present at a general church council held in Perth on March 17, 1416.

Fionnlagh was last known to be alive on March 25, 1419. He died sometime before October 30, 1419, because on that date, the Pope ordered William Stephani, who was the Bishop of Orkney, to become the new Bishop of Dunblane. A writer named Walter Bower, who wrote about Fionnlagh a few decades later, said that Bishop Fionnlagh was responsible for building a bridge over the river Allan in Dunblane.