Walter de Baltrodin facts for kids

Walter de Baltrodin (died 1270) was an important Scottish bishop in the 1200s. He likely came from a place called Baltroddie in Gowrie, Scotland. He became a major leader in the Roman Catholic Church as the Bishop of Caithness.

Who Was Walter de Baltrodin?

Walter de Baltrodin was a significant figure in Scotland during the 13th century. He was known for his education and his role in the church.

Early Life and Education

Walter de Baltrodin was born in the early or mid-1200s. His birthplace was probably Pitroddie, a small area in Gowrie, Scotland. We don't know which university he attended. However, he was very well-educated for his time. By 1259, he had earned a Master's Degree. Later, he also became a Doctor of Canon Law. Canon Law is the set of rules and laws that govern the Christian Church.

Becoming a Bishop

Before becoming a bishop, Walter de Baltrodin held positions called "canonries." These were important roles within the church in the dioceses of Aberdeen and Caithness. A diocese is an area managed by a bishop.

In 1263, Walter was chosen to be the Bishop of Caithness. This was a very important job. The decision to elect him was sent to Pope Urban IV. Roger de Castello, another church official, presented the election results to the Pope.

A Pope's Decision

The Pope found that Walter's election did not follow all the church's rules, known as canon law. However, the Pope understood that the Diocese of Caithness was not very rich. It would be expensive for people from such a far-off place to travel to Rome. So, instead of canceling the election, the Pope asked three other bishops to decide. These were the Bishop of Dunkeld, the Bishop of Brechin, and the Bishop of Ross. They were given the power to judge if Walter was fit for the role.

Life as a Bishop

Not much is known about Walter's time as Bishop of Caithness. This is common for many bishops from that period. However, we do know a few things.

Helping the Community

Bishop Walter received money from the king. This money came from the "profits of justice" in the area. This means he got a share of the money collected from fines or legal fees. This money likely helped him manage the diocese and support its people.

Family Connections

There is an old story from the Clan Mackay. It says that Aodh Mór MacAoidh (also known as Iye Mackay) married one of Bishop Walter's daughters. Through this marriage, he gained control of 12 "davochs" of land in Durness. A davoch was a measure of land in Scotland. This shows that Bishop Walter had important family connections.

His Final Years

Bishop Walter died in the year 1270. After his death, there was a delay before a new bishop was chosen. Eventually, Nicholas, who was the Abbot of Scone, became the next Bishop of Caithness.