Robert Forbes (bishop) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Robert Forbes |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of Ross and Caithness | |
| Church | Scottish Episcopal Church |
| In Office | 1762 to 1775 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1735 |
| Consecration | 24 June 1762 by William Falconer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1708 |
| Died | 1775 (aged 66–67) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Denomination | Episcopalian |
Robert Forbes (1708–1775) was an important Scottish bishop. He was part of the Scottish Episcopal Church. This church was a bit different because some of its members, like Forbes, were "Non-juring." This meant they didn't swear loyalty to the king who was on the throne at the time, King George III. Instead, they supported the old royal family, the Stuarts. Forbes served as a bishop for the areas of Ross and Caithness in Scotland.
Contents
Life of Robert Forbes
Early Life and Education
Robert Forbes was born in 1708 in a place called Rayne in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His father worked there as a schoolmaster. Robert went to college at Marischal College in Aberdeen. He finished his studies in 1726.
In 1735, he moved to Edinburgh. There, he became a priest, which is a religious leader, by Bishop David Freebairn. Soon after, he became the minister for an Episcopal church in Leith. Leith was his home for the rest of his life.
Troubles During the Jacobite Rising
In 1745, a big event happened in Scotland called the Jacobite Rising of 1745. This was when Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, tried to take back the throne for his family, the Stuarts.
On September 7, 1745, Robert Forbes was arrested. He was with two other church leaders near Stirling. People thought they might be planning to join the rebels. He was held in Stirling Castle and then Edinburgh Castle for several months. He was finally set free in May 1746.
Becoming a Bishop
In 1762, the church leaders in Ross and Caithness chose Robert Forbes to be their bishop. A bishop is a senior leader in the church. He was officially made a bishop on June 24 in a town called Forfar. The main leader of the Scottish Episcopal Church, William Falconer, helped with this ceremony.
Even though he was a bishop for northern Scotland, he continued to live in Leith. He traveled north twice, in 1762 and 1770, to visit the churches there.
Challenges and Beliefs
In 1764, a new church was built for Bishop Forbes. Many people came to his services. However, he refused to "qualify" according to the law. This meant he wouldn't follow the government's rules for churches, especially regarding loyalty to King George III.
Because of this, soldiers sometimes came to his church to check if he prayed for the King. He was even called to speak with a military leader. He didn't change his mind. He decided to have services without singing for a while. He also visited London, where he met other "nonjurors" who shared his beliefs.
In 1769, he attended a meeting of Jacobites in Moffat. They talked about how the Stuart family line could continue.
Later Life and Death
In 1765, Bishop Forbes was chosen to be the bishop for Aberdeen and Orkney. However, there were some problems, and he decided not to take that position.
Robert Forbes passed away in Leith on November 18, 1775. He was buried in the South Leith Parish Church.
Robert Forbes's Writings and Collections
Contributions to Magazines and Church Books
Around 1760, Robert Forbes started writing articles for the Edinburgh Magazine. His articles were mostly about places and old historical facts.
He also helped update the prayer book used by the Scottish Episcopal Church. He oversaw the printing of new versions in 1763, 1764, and 1765.
He wrote a book called An Essay on Christian Burial, and the Respect due to Burying-Grounds in 1765. He also wrote an Account of the Chapel of Roslin in 1774.
The Lyon in Mourning
His most important work is a huge collection of ten handwritten books called the ‘Lyon in Mourning.’ These books are bound in black. They are filled with stories, letters, and items related to the Jacobite Rising of 1745.
Forbes spent many years, from 1747 to 1775, collecting these materials. He even interviewed people who were involved in the Rising, like the poet Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair. This collection is a very important source of information about that time in history. Parts of it were published in 1834 and again in 1895.
Family Life
Robert Forbes was married twice. His first wife was Agnes Gairey. They married in 1749, but she passed away the next year.
His second wife was Rachel Houston. She was just as enthusiastic about the Jacobite cause as her husband. She is mentioned often in his ‘Lyon in Mourning’ collection. For example, the bishop would let special guests drink from Prince Charlie's old shoes. Rachel even sent a special cake to Prince Charlie when he was living in exile.
