Laurence de Ergadia facts for kids

Laurence de Ergadia (who died around 1299 or 1300) was an important Scottish bishop in the 1200s. He was likely part of the powerful Clan MacDougall family from Argyll, a region in western Scotland.

Before becoming a bishop, Laurence was a Dominican friar. This means he was a member of a religious group and probably studied at a university. He was chosen to be the Bishop of Argyll between 1262 and 1264. Even though his first election was cancelled by the Pope, the Pope later officially appointed him to the role. Laurence served as bishop for about 35 years. He died as Bishop of Argyll around 1299 or 1300.

Who Was Laurence de Ergadia?

Laurence is known as de Ergardia, which is Latin for "of Argyll". This name was written next to his name in an old book called the Chronicle of Melrose. It suggests he came from the MacDougall family, who were important leaders in Argyll. They often used "de Ergadia" as part of their name in official documents.

Early Life and Training

Laurence became a Dominican friar before he was made Bishop of Argyll in 1264. Friars are religious men who often travel and teach. Being a friar usually meant he had spent time studying abroad, likely at a university.

It's interesting to note that before Laurence, another Dominican friar named Clement of Dunblane was also a bishop in Scotland. Bishop Clement was in charge of the Argyll bishopric for a few years before Laurence. He encouraged the Scottish King Alexander II of Scotland to take more control over Argyll.

This might have led the MacDougall family to send a relative, like Laurence, to become a Dominican friar. Laurence was the first of three Dominican bishops in Argyll over the next 100 years. Another one of these bishops also seemed to be a MacDougall. Also, the bishopric of Dunblane was partly named after St Laurence, which might be where Laurence got his name.

Becoming a Bishop

St Moluog's parish church on Lismore. This church includes parts of the old cathedral of Lismore, which was the main church for Laurence's bishopric in Argyll.

After the previous bishop, Alan, died in 1262, the church leaders in Argyll chose three people to pick a new bishop. They chose Laurence. The main church leader then went to the Pope to get the choice approved.

However, Pope Urban IV said the election wasn't quite right because of a small rule. But on March 31, 1264, the Pope told two other bishops, Gamelin and Richard de Inverkeithing, to confirm Laurence as Bishop of Argyll. They were also told to arrange for him to become a bishop officially if they thought he was suitable.

We don't know the exact date Laurence became a bishop, but it happened by June 20, 1268. We know this because he was seen signing important papers with Bishop Gamelin around that time.

Important Moments as Bishop

Laurence was quite active as a bishop:

• In October 1269, he was in Ayr. He confirmed that Paisley Abbey had rights to some churches in his area.
• In May and July 1270, he was in Paisley. He put his official seal on two documents for a landowner.
• In March 1273, the Pope named Bishop Laurence as one of three bishops who could make William Wishart the new Bishop of St Andrews.

In the summer of 1274, Laurence was one of four Scottish bishops who went to a big meeting called the Second Council of Lyon. His seal is on one of the important decisions made at this meeting.

Later in 1274, he was chosen by the Pope to help settle a disagreement between Robert Wishart, the Bishop of Glasgow, and his church leaders. In July 1275, Laurence and another bishop ordered the case to be heard later that year.

In 1275, he was also named as one of three bishops chosen to make Archibald Herok the new Bishop of Caithness.

In April 1281, the Pope again asked Laurence to help with a family matter. He was allowed to make a marriage official between Hugh de Abernethy and Maria, who was the sister of Alexander of Argyll. Alexander was likely a relative of Laurence.

In September 1284, Laurence signed a document for Paisley Abbey from Kilfinan in his own area. Between 1286 and 1292, his seal was added to another document for the same abbey.

In October 1289, the Pope sent him instructions about Iona Abbey. The abbey wanted to be free from the authority of the Bishop of the Isles.

Laurence was also present when Scottish leaders agreed to the Treaty of Birgham in March 1290. This treaty was about the future of the Scottish throne. However, unlike many other important Scottish figures, he did not promise loyalty to King Edward I of England during a big legal case in 1291, or at any time after that.

Laurence is not mentioned much in records during the 1290s. His last known action was sending a representative to argue for him at a meeting in Glasgow in October 1299. He passed away by December 18, 1300, because that's when the Pope officially appointed his replacement, Andrew.