John Bullock
Encyclopedia
John Bullock O.S.A. was an Augustinian canon
and prelate
active in the 15th century Kingdom of Scotland
. While earning a university degree between 1409 and 1417, Bullock gained several benefices in Scotland, and claimed the headship of St Andrews Cathedral Priory
before becoming Bishop of Ross
in 1418. He held the latter position until his death, which occurred in either 1439 or 1440.
); he did not hold that degree in 1409, but did by 1417.
Bullock was a canon regular in the diocese of St. Andrews, and on 23 March 1409, is recorded as holding the vicarage of Dull
in the diocese of Dunkeld
when Avignon Pope Benedict XIII granted his petition to hold the vicarage of Tranent
in the diocese of St Andrews.
A letter of Benedict XIII, dated 5 June 1417, reveals that John Bullock was one of three clergymen claiming the title Prior of St Andrews
, a claim which he seems to have given up in the following year when he had the chance to become Bishop of Ross
.
On 11 March, an indult was issued to John allowing him to be consecrated by any bishop of his choice, assisted by two other bishops. Another papal letter, issued on 15 March, granted one John Begiert, OSA, B. Dec., canon of St Andrews, the vicarage of Dull, "vacant by the promotion of John Bullock, former vicar, to the bishopric of Ross".
The pope has reserved the bishopric of Ross for his own appointment and, on 16 March, Thomas Lyell
, who had been elected by the cathedral chapter
of Fortrose
"in ignorance of the reservation", was granted 40 crowns in compensation for his expenses, and two days later, he was granted a canonry in the diocese of Aberdeen
allowed to be held alongside his other benefices.
Bullock was in possession of the temporalities of the bishopric by 1 August 1419. He was consecrated between 16 July, when as "elect and confirmed" he sent a proctor
to the Provincial Synod, and 16 August 1420, when he as "through the grace of Gode Byschop of Rosse", sealed a charter
.
As a sign of reconciliation and the ending of the Western Schism
, Pope Martin V
confirmed Benedict XIII's provision and retrospectively confirmed Bullock's acts as bishop on 1 February 1423, after the translation of Gruffydd Young
to the titular bishopric of Hippo
.
Most of the details of Bullock's episcopate are obscure. On 4 September 1439, Bishop Bullock appended his seal
to the contract between Joan Beaufort
, Queen Dowager
, and Sir Alexander Livingstone of Callendar, a contract that made Livingstone guardian of the boy king, James II of Scotland
.
He is dead by 26 September 1440, when a papal mandate rejected the postulation of Andrew Munro
and provided Thomas de Tulloch
to the bishopric, explicitly vacant because of Bullock's death.
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
and prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
active in the 15th century Kingdom of Scotland
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
. While earning a university degree between 1409 and 1417, Bullock gained several benefices in Scotland, and claimed the headship of St Andrews Cathedral Priory
St Andrews Cathedral Priory
St Andrews Cathedral Priory was a priory of Augustinian canons in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Plans were made for its foundation in the reign of Alaxandair mac Maíl Choluim , who set aside some land for that purpose. It was finally established by King David I and his son in 1140 with canons from...
before becoming Bishop of Ross
Bishop of Ross
The Bishop of Ross was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Ross, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. The first recorded bishop appears in the late 7th century as a witness to Adomnán of Iona's Cáin Adomnáin. The bishopric was based at the settlement of Rosemarkie until the mid-13th...
in 1418. He held the latter position until his death, which occurred in either 1439 or 1440.
Early career
Though his career has not been elaborated by modern historians, Bullock is known to have been a university graduate, having a B. Dec., i.e. a Bachelorate in Decrees (canon lawCanon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
); he did not hold that degree in 1409, but did by 1417.
Bullock was a canon regular in the diocese of St. Andrews, and on 23 March 1409, is recorded as holding the vicarage of Dull
Dull, Perth and Kinross
Dull is a village located in the county of Perth & Kinross in Scotland. Situated in the Highland part of the county, Dull consists of a single street of houses on the north side of the valley of the River Tay. The place-name may mean 'meadow' in Gaelic...
in the diocese of Dunkeld
Diocese of Dunkeld
The Diocese of Dunkeld was one of the 13 historical dioceses of Scotland preceding the abolition of Episcopacy in 1689.-History:It is thought that the diocese was constituted as far back as the middle of the ninth century. The first occupant was styled Bishop of Fortriu, the name by which the...
when Avignon Pope Benedict XIII granted his petition to hold the vicarage of Tranent
Tranent
Tranent is a town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the A1 road and approximately east of Edinburgh. It is one of the oldest towns in East Lothian, and built on a gentle slope, about 300 feet above sea level.Population of the town is 9,917....
in the diocese of St Andrews.
A letter of Benedict XIII, dated 5 June 1417, reveals that John Bullock was one of three clergymen claiming the title Prior of St Andrews
Prior of St Andrews
The Prior of St Andrews was the head of the property and community of Augustinian canons of St Andrews Cathedral Priory, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. It was established by King David I in 1140 with canons from Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire...
, a claim which he seems to have given up in the following year when he had the chance to become Bishop of Ross
Bishop of Ross
The Bishop of Ross was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Ross, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. The first recorded bishop appears in the late 7th century as a witness to Adomnán of Iona's Cáin Adomnáin. The bishopric was based at the settlement of Rosemarkie until the mid-13th...
.
Bishop of Ross
A papal mandate dated 9 March 1418, provided John, "elect of Ross", to "the bishopric of Ross, vacant by the death outside the curia of Alexander, late bishop under whom the bishopric was reserved to papal provision.On 11 March, an indult was issued to John allowing him to be consecrated by any bishop of his choice, assisted by two other bishops. Another papal letter, issued on 15 March, granted one John Begiert, OSA, B. Dec., canon of St Andrews, the vicarage of Dull, "vacant by the promotion of John Bullock, former vicar, to the bishopric of Ross".
The pope has reserved the bishopric of Ross for his own appointment and, on 16 March, Thomas Lyell
Thomas Lyell
Thomas Lyell [or Lyel] was a Scottish clergyman associated with the diocese of Ross in the late 14th century and early 15th century. After William de Tarbat, Subdean of Ross, was elected Dean of Ross, on 1 May 1395, Thomas was provided as William's successor...
, who had been elected by the cathedral chapter
Cathedral chapter
In accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
of Fortrose
Fortrose
Fortrose is a burgh in the Scottish Highlands, located on the Moray Firth, approximately ten kilometres north east of Inverness. The town is known for its ruined 13th century cathedral, and as the home of the Brahan Seer. In the Middle Ages it was the seat of the bishopric of Ross...
"in ignorance of the reservation", was granted 40 crowns in compensation for his expenses, and two days later, he was granted a canonry in the diocese of Aberdeen
Diocese of Aberdeen
Diocese of Aberdeen was one of the 13 dioceses of the Scottish church, before the abolition of the episcopacy in 1689.-Early history:...
allowed to be held alongside his other benefices.
Bullock was in possession of the temporalities of the bishopric by 1 August 1419. He was consecrated between 16 July, when as "elect and confirmed" he sent a proctor
Proctor
Proctor, a variant of the word procurator, is a person who takes charge of, or acts for, another. The word proctor is frequently used to describe someone who oversees an exam or dormitory.The title is used in England in three principal senses:...
to the Provincial Synod, and 16 August 1420, when he as "through the grace of Gode Byschop of Rosse", sealed a charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
.
As a sign of reconciliation and the ending of the Western Schism
Western Schism
The Western Schism or Papal Schism was a split within the Catholic Church from 1378 to 1417. Two men simultaneously claimed to be the true pope. Driven by politics rather than any theological disagreement, the schism was ended by the Council of Constance . The simultaneous claims to the papal chair...
, Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:...
confirmed Benedict XIII's provision and retrospectively confirmed Bullock's acts as bishop on 1 February 1423, after the translation of Gruffydd Young
Gruffydd Young
Gruffydd Young was a cleric and a close supporter of Owain Glyndwr during his Welsh rebellion against the English King Henry IV between 1400 and 1412.- Winning favour :...
to the titular bishopric of Hippo
Hippo Regius
Hippo Regius is the ancient name of the modern city of Annaba, in Algeria. Under this name, it was a major city in Roman Africa, hosting several early Christian councils, and was the home of the philosopher and theologian Augustine of Hippo...
.
Most of the details of Bullock's episcopate are obscure. On 4 September 1439, Bishop Bullock appended his seal
Seal (device)
A seal can be a figure impressed in wax, clay, or some other medium, or embossed on paper, with the purpose of authenticating a document ; but the term can also mean the device for making such impressions, being essentially a mould with the mirror image of the design carved in sunken- relief or...
to the contract between Joan Beaufort
Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scotland
Joan Beaufort was the Queen Consort of Scotland from 1424 to 1437 as the spouse of King James I of Scotland. During part of the minority of her son James II , she served as the Regent of Scotland....
, Queen Dowager
Queen Dowager
A queen dowager or dowager queen is a title or status generally held by the widow of a deceased king. In the case of the widow of a deceased emperor, the title of empress dowager is used...
, and Sir Alexander Livingstone of Callendar, a contract that made Livingstone guardian of the boy king, James II of Scotland
James II of Scotland
James II reigned as King of Scots from 1437 to his death.He was the son of James I, King of Scots, and Joan Beaufort...
.
He is dead by 26 September 1440, when a papal mandate rejected the postulation of Andrew Munro
Andrew Munro
Andrew Munro [de Munro, de Munroy], or Aindréas Mac an Rothaich as his Gaelic kindred name, was a Scottish churchman active in the 15th century, undoubtedly given his surname a native of Ross of Clan Munro....
and provided Thomas de Tulloch
Thomas Tulloch (Bishop of Ross)
Thomas Tulloch [de Tulloch] was a prelate active in the Kingdom of Scotland in the 15th century. A letter of Pope Martin V in 1429 claimed that he was "of a great noble race by both parents"...
to the bishopric, explicitly vacant because of Bullock's death.