Chapter XVII: Abbot Robert,
1498-1525
A good deal of “wire-pulling” was needed before this arrangement could be carried into effect. The Earl of Arran had a natural son, John Hamilton, who had entered the Church as a monk of Kilwinning, [33] and whom Magnus speaks of with contempt as “a yonge thing.” The Earl, then in high favour with the Queen,—who really had at the time the disposal of the Church benefices,—wished the Bishopric for this son. The Queen could not pass over old Abbot Robert, and got him appointed to the See of Moray, and Hamilton to the Abbey of Paisley. The Pope's approval had to be obtained to both these appointments, and there seemed some likelihood that Hamilton's at least would come to nothing, as the ratification did not arrive at once from the Pope. Abbot Robert got alarmed at the delay, and wrote to Cardinal Wolsey on 8th May, 1524, a very humble letter, beseeching him to do the best he could for him. [34] He says that the King of England's ambassadors at the Court of Rome had solicited the Pope's Holiness for his promotion to the Bishopric of Moray, according to his humble prayer, “not the less because that the Kingis Hienes, my master, hes writers for the promotion of a son of the Earl of Arran to my Abbasy of Paslay. He being of tender age and bastard, our holy fader the Pope deferris to promise me to the said bishoprick. Howbeit the impediments rising on the part of the said Erle's son ouch not to be reason to differ my cause.” The anxious Abbot then asks the Cardinal's interest with the Pope for “expeditione of his mater.” Apparently this appeal produced no effect, and the summer passed away and the new year opened and Robert was still Abbot of Paisley. Those interested got alarmed,—King James V. himself wrote a letter to the Pope, in which, with very limping latinity, he states how he had ventured to nominate to the See of Moray one “of mature years, exemplary life, and integrity of manners, Robert Schawe, for many years Abbot in the Monastery of Paisley, of the Order of Clugny,” and also “John Hamylton, monk of the Order of the blessed Benedict in the Monastery of Kylwinning, natural son of our dearest cousin, James, Earl of Arran, to the Abbacy of Paisley,” and asks the sanction of these appointments from his Holiness. He also wrote Henry VII., a few days afterwards, a long letter on the same subject, asking him to write to the Pope, [35] and use his influence to further the appointments, which the King immediately did. [36] Perhaps the best friend the Abbot had was Dr. Magnus, who, at the same time; wrote to Cardinal Wolsey. Of the promotion of Hamilton he says nothing, but he pleads very earnestly the cause of Abbot Robert. “In my most humble and lowly manner,” he says, “I beseech your grace to be good and gracious towards the advancement of the said Abbot's causes : At my repairing into these parts, my Lord of Norfolk advised me to lean to his counsail, and so I have done ever since my coming hither, and have found not only gret comfort of him at all times, but also he hath been the most forward of any man to follow the King's high pleasure, and joins in such causes as have concerned the weal and safety of the young King ; wherefore I account myself bound to declare and shew unto your grace the goodness of the said Abbot.” This letter was probably the “best spoke” in the Abbot's wheel. John Clerk, an agent of Wolsey at Rome, acknowledges the King's letters regarding the Bishopric of Moray and the Abbey of Paisley, [37] and the appointments were soon after ratified by the Pope. That of Hamilton was most scandalous, and it is no wonder his Holiness hesitated before giving his approval ; but the interest of two Kings and his faithful Cardinal prevailed, the evil was done, and it bore terrible fruit to the Church that allowed it. Abbot Robert was re¬ceived in the cathedral of his northern diocese on the 19th October, 1525, accompanied by Robert Mortoun, a monk of Paisley, [38] and the mitre of our Abbey was placed on the head of the “yonge thing”—as Magnus calls him—a scandal almost sufficient to have brought from the dead the pious Abbots of former days. It was only one of many similar deeds of shame that were being enacted in the Scottish Church.
[33] See King James V.'s letter in Appendix.
[34] Cot. MSS., Caligula B 1, p. 82. Robert, Abbot of Paisley, to Wolsey, dated 8th May, 1524.
[35] See Appendix.
[36] See King Henry's letter in Appendix.
[37] See Appendix.
[38] Registrum Moraviensis.—Bannatyne Club.