Williamson, Eila (1998) Scottish benefices and clergy during the Pontificate of Sixtus IV (1471-84): the evidence in the Registra Supplicationum. PhD thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2540/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Scottish Benefices and Clergy during the Pontificate of Sixtus IV (1471-84): the evidence in the Registra Supplication um Volume I Submitted by Eila Williamson for the degree of Ph. D. to the University of Glasgow January 1998 Research conducted within the Department of Scottish History, University of Glasgow © Eila Williamson 1998 BEST COPY AVAILABLE Variable print quality -ý. Abstract In last the years of the pontificate of Paul II and for the whole of the pontificate of Sixtus IV, hundred nearly six Scottish clerics supplicated to the pope for a variety of reasons, although the majority concerned their holding of benefices. The clerics from ranged those who were unbeneficed to those who were of prelatial rank and also included a small group who were familiars of the pope and of cardinals. Their supplications are contained within the Registra Supplicationuni, a Vatican Archive has source, which long been regarded as an important source for the study of the late medieval Scottish Church in light of the paucity of native ecclesiastical source material. In order to analyse almost 1,200 supplications (for the period January 1470 to August 1484) to the best effect, the study has employed the use of a relational database. Methodological issues such as record linkage are therefore discussed in detail, in addition to results of analysis. In essencethe research has been conducted as much to determine what issues can, and should be addressed as to provide definitive conclusions. Nevertheless, use of such methodology has imparted greater clarity to results of analysis than has hitherto been possible. The study reveals, for example, that a disproportionate number of supplications were made by, or on behalf of a distinct group of papal or cardinal familiars. Furthermore, in terms of relations to the papacy, a marked variation from diocese to diocese can be noted. The dioceses of St Andrews, Glasgow, and, to a lesser degree, Aberdeen were not only the most popular dioceses in which aspiring clerics sought benefices, but clergy from these dioceses were more likely to seek favour from the pope. Table of Contents Volume I List of Tables and Figures iv Preface v Acknowledgements viii Conventions and abbreviations x Introduction Chapter I- Source and Methodology 20 Clergy Chapter II - 71 Chapter III - Benefices 163 Conclusion 224 Appendix I- Examples of contents of database tables 238 Appendix II - Index of names of supplicants 241 Bibliography 253 Volume II Appendix III - Calendar of Scottish Supplications (1470-1484) 269 List of Tables and Figures Table I Numbers of Scottish supplications 1470-84 26 Table 2 Number of Scottish supplications and register folios during the pontificates of Sixtus IV and Eugenius IV 39 Table 3 Outline of Database Structure 53 Table 4 Relationship Codes in the Relatio Table 59 Figure 1 Number of registers per annum 32 Figure 2 Number of Scottish supplications per annum 34 Figure 3 Number of Scottish supplications and register folios during the pontificate of Sixtus IV 36 Figure 4 Number of Scottish supplications and register folios during the pontificate of Eugenius IV 37 Figure 5 Social Origins of Illegitimate Clerical Supplicants 140 Figure 6 Diocesan distribution of benefices gained through expectative graces 171 Figure 7 Diocesan distribution of benefices for which provision is being supplicated for or verified in supplications of the Nova Provisio category 174 Figure 8 Diocesan distribution of benfices associated with clerics seeking dispensation to hold incompatibles 180 Figure 9 Diocesan distribution of benefices affected by litigation 186 Figure 10 Diocesan distribution of benefices with pensions 196 IV Preface The thesis attempts to highlight a number of features relating to clergy and benefices within the late medieval Scottish Church as revealed by 1,194 Scottish supplications to the papacy in the 1470-84 period. In essence these supplications, extracted from the Regisira Supplication urn series in the Vatican Archives (and subsequently calendared by the late Dr Annie I Dunlop and Dr Alan Macquarrie)', have been examined as much to ascertain what issues can, and should be addressed as to provide definitive conclusions. The introduction, after a brief examination of relevant background details of the Scottish Church in this period, discusses historiographical approaches to the late medieval Church in Scotland. There then follows a brief survey of the pontificate of Sixtus IV (1471-84), during which the bulk of the supplications under review were made. Chapter I on Source and Methodology is divided into two main parts. In the first part the Registra Supplicalionum is explored in detail, focussing on the significance and nature of the source. Numbers and types of Scottish supplications per annum are considered together with the way in which the trend of the Scottish material relates to the general trend of supplications in the registers. In the second part of Chapter I the methodology which has been employed in the study is described. Attention is largely devoted to discussing the construction and use of a relational This calendar of supplications forms Appendix III of the thesis (Volume II). V database of the supplications, with respect to current methodological debate in the field of historical computing. body The main of the thesis is divided into two chapters - Clergy and Benefices - although these sections are by no means mutually exclusive. The overriding theme of the clergy chapter is that of patronage and social networking. The type of patronage falls largely into two distinct categories: patronage at the curia bestowed by the pope and cardinals, and Scottish patronage provided by the king and members of the nobility. Papal and cardinal familiars have received especial consideration due to the disproportionate amount of information which exists and the fact that, being largely resident in Rome, there is a reduced likelihood of native material relating to them. The chapter on Clergy concludes with more personal information relating to social origins, age, qualifications, and finally the subject of ordinations. The last of these subjects is particularly important in view of the fact that no ordination lists exist among the native material for this period. The Benefices chapter examines a number of issues relating to benefice-holding. Topics involving the acquisition and deposition of benefices (for example, expectative graces, resignations and exchanges) are discussed in addition to the subject of disputes and litigation. Throughout this chapter an attempt is made to reflect on the diocesan distribution of the benefices which feature in each section, and the problems posed in interpreting the results of analysis. vi Finally, the conclusion not only draws together the analysis contained within the main body of the thesis, but also points to ways in which the analysis could be further developed. vii Acknowledgements The primary record of thanks must go to the Ross Fund Committee of the University of Glasgow for allowing me to use material from the Vatican Archive collection. Without the tremendous efforts of the late Dr Annie I Dunlop and Dr Alan Macquarrie, whose respective work on the calendar has been used in the analysis, the research would not have been possible. Furthermore, had it not been for the training in palaeography which Professor AAM Duncan of the Department of Scottish History, University of Glasgow, gave to me in the early stages of the research, the task would have been substantially more difficult. Thanks are due to the staff of the Vatican Archives, in particular Monsignor Charles Burns, whose assistance was given during a study visit to Rome in April-May 1995. Mr James J Robertson of the Faculty of Law, University of Dundee, was kind enough to provide me with an index to Rota material and advice on judicial aspects. Similarly Dr Leslie J Macfarlane of the Department of History, University of Aberdeen, willingly shared his thoughts on the late medieval papacy. Dr John Durkan of the Department of Scottish History, University of Glasgow, has taken an interest in the research throughout and has been happy to discuss various aspects. There has also been fruitful discussion with Janet former Foggie, a postgraduate in the Department of Scottish History, University of Edinburgh, whose research into Dominican friars (1450-1560) has also involved Vatican sources. The computing element to the research would not have been possible without the training which I received as an undergraduate of the University of Glasgow, from the staff who enthusiastically taught the Historical Computing honours course. In particular, thanks are expressed to Dr Daniel I Greenstein who helped with the creation of the initial database design. Ms Christelle Le Riguer provided assistance with Figures 1-4. Without the support of family and friends, though, the thesis would never have been completed. My former colleagues and friends at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall deserve special mention as does Gayle Wiggett, Mhairi Dewar, and my mum, Mrs Marjory JB Williamson. Last, but by no means least, gratitude is expressed to my supervisor, Dr David Brown, who has cheerfully endured the process of supervision, providing encouragement throughout.