Thomas Spens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomas Spens |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of Aberdeen | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Diocese of Aberdeen |
| In Office | 1457–1480 |
| Predecessor | Ingram Lindsay |
| Successor | William Forbes |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | November 1399 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1415 Glen Douglas |
| Died | 15 April 1480 Edinburgh |
| Previous post | Bishop of Galloway (1450–1458) Archdeacon of Moray Archdeacon of Galloway |
Thomas Spens (born around 1415, died April 15, 1480) was an important Scottish leader. He was a statesman, meaning he helped run the country. He was also a prelate, which is a high-ranking church official like a bishop. Thomas Spens studied in Edinburgh. He was the second son of John de Spens, who looked after Prince James of Scotland.
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Life of Thomas Spens: A Scottish Leader
Thomas Spens was a very talented person. His skills caught the attention of the Scottish king, James II. The king sent him on important trips to England and France. On these trips, Thomas Spens helped create several agreements between countries.
Becoming a Bishop and Royal Advisor
Around 1450, Thomas Spens became the bishop of Galloway. A bishop is a leader in the Christian church. Soon after, he was given another important job: Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland. This meant he was in charge of the king's special seal, used to make official documents. In 1459, he was chosen to be the bishop of Aberdeen.
Diplomatic Missions and Peace Treaties
Thomas Spens spent a lot of his time traveling. He went on many journeys to France and England for his country. In 1464, he and Alexander Stewart, who was the son of King James II, were captured at sea by English sailors.
However, Edward IV, the King of England, had been warned by Bishop Spens about a plot against him. Because of this, Edward IV set Spens free. Thomas Spens might have helped create a peace agreement between England and James III of Scotland around this time.
He also helped arrange a meeting between King Edward IV of England and Louis XI of France at a place called Picquigny. Later, in 1474, he helped create another peace agreement between England and Scotland.
Contributions to Scotland
Thomas Spens often attended the Scottish parliaments, which were like meetings of the government. He also gave a lot of money to help decorate his cathedral in Aberdeen.
In 1479, Thomas Spens started a hospital in Edinburgh. It was called St. Mary's Hospital and was built to help up to 12 poor men. A chapel was later added and named after St. Paul, which led to the hospital being called Paul's Hospital.
He passed away in Edinburgh on April 15, 1480. He was buried in the north side of Trinity College Kirk, which was near the hospital he had founded.
