Thomas Livingston facts for kids

Thomas Livingston was an important Scottish church leader and advisor to kings in the 1400s. He was also known as Thomas de Levinstone or Thomas Livingstone. He worked as a church official, a diplomat (someone who represents their country), and a delegate (a representative) at a big church meeting called the Council of Basel. He gave advice to two Scottish kings, King James I and King James II.

Thomas held several important church positions. He was chosen to be the Abbot of Newbattle and later became the Abbot of Dundrennan. An abbot is the head of a monastery, which is a community of monks. He was also named the Bishop of Dunkeld, though he didn't actually get to serve in that role.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Livingston was born around 1390 or 1391. He was the son of a Scottish lord, likely Sir John Livingston. Because he was born outside of marriage, he was considered "illegitimate" at the time, which could cause problems for people wanting to hold important positions.

When he was in his early twenties, Thomas went to the new University of St Andrews in Scotland. He earned his Master of Arts degree in 1415. After graduating, he taught at the university for a few years.

Becoming a Monk and Scholar

Later, Thomas decided to become a Cistercian monk. In 1422, he was chosen to be the Abbot of Newbattle. However, he couldn't take the job because the Pope had already picked someone else.

Even though he remained a monk at Newbattle, Thomas continued his studies. In 1423, he went to the University of Cologne to study theology, which is the study of religious faith. He earned his Master of Theology degree in 1425. Thomas also became a priest.

Role at the Council of Basel

By 1429, Thomas was the Abbot of Dundrennan. Around this time, he started having serious problems with his eyesight. He also received special permission from the Pope to continue in his church roles, despite being born outside of marriage.

At this point, Thomas joined the Council of Basel. This was a very important meeting called by Pope Martin V. Its goal was to discuss and reform the Catholic Church. Thomas was able to advise King James I on the council's issues. He helped convince the king to send a full group of Scottish representatives to the meeting.

A Key Figure in Church Politics

Thomas became one of the most important people at the Council of Basel. In 1439, he helped present a report that led to the removal of Pope Eugene IV from his position. This was a huge event in church history.

Soon after, Thomas traveled to Mainz, Germany, to attend a big meeting called the Imperial Diet. There, he defended the council's decision to remove Pope Eugene. He was later chosen as one of the people to select a new Pope, who became Pope Felix IV/V. Thomas strongly supported the new Pope. As a reward, he was named the Bishop of Dunkeld in 1440.

Even though the idea of church councils having more power than the Pope seemed to be losing ground in the 1440s, Thomas remained a strong supporter of it. He also helped shape Scottish politics by advising King James II while the king was still young. In 1447, Pope Eugene died. Thomas was one of two delegates from the Council of Basel who went to Vienna. They tried to convince Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor to call another church council.

Later Life and Legacy

The disagreement caused by the election of Pope Felix V finally ended in 1447. After this, Thomas, who was now blind, focused on improving monasteries. He worked with Cardinal Nikolaus von Kues, a friend from his university days, on a mission in Germany from 1451 to 1452.

Thomas later returned to Scotland and continued to advise King James II. Although he was named Bishop of Dunkeld, he never actually served in that role and so didn't receive any money from it. However, King James did make him the Abbot of Coupar Angus. Thomas Livingston died sometime before July 10, 1460, when he was about seventy years old.