Richard de Potton
Encyclopedia
Richard de Potton [de Poiton, de Pottock, de Poito] was a 13th century English
bishop
. His name was likely derived his name from the town of Potton
in Bedfordshire
, England
.
He was chosen in 1256 to succeed Peter de Ramsay
, who had just died, as Bishop of Aberdeen
. John of Fordun
noted that, although an Englishman, he took an oath of fidelity to King Alexander III of Scotland
before taking up his bishopric
. There are no details of how Potton had managed to get himself in a position to take up such a prestigious post.
Potton's episcopate is rather obscure, though his few years in charge seem to have been very significant ones for the history of the bishopric. He is said in one account to have united the churches of St Mary's and St Machar's into one cathedral
, and he is also credited with making the parish church of Crimond
into Aberdeen's fourteenth prebend.
Two different dates have been given for his death. Walter Bower
states that it was 1270, and the Aberdeen Registrum gives 26 April 1272. His successor Hugh de Benin
was consecrated in the summer of the latter year.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
. His name was likely derived his name from the town of Potton
Potton
Potton is a town and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England. It is 10 miles from Bedford and the population in 2001 was 4,473 people. In 1783 the 'Great Fire of Potton' destroyed a large part of the town. The parish church dates from the 13th Century and is dedicated to St Mary...
in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
He was chosen in 1256 to succeed Peter de Ramsay
Peter de Ramsay
Peter de Ramsay [Ramsey] was a 13th century cleric based in Scotland. His background and origins are obscure. He was the son of a "cleric in minor orders" and an unmarried girl and, according to John of Fordun, he was of "noble birth"...
, who had just died, as Bishop of Aberdeen
Bishop of Aberdeen
The Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan...
. John of Fordun
John of Fordun
John of Fordun was a Scottish chronicler. It is generally stated that he was born at Fordoun, Mearns. It is certain that he was a secular priest, and that he composed his history in the latter part of the 14th century; and it is probable that he was a chaplain in the St Machar's Cathedral of...
noted that, although an Englishman, he took an oath of fidelity to King Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
before taking up his bishopric
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
. There are no details of how Potton had managed to get himself in a position to take up such a prestigious post.
Potton's episcopate is rather obscure, though his few years in charge seem to have been very significant ones for the history of the bishopric. He is said in one account to have united the churches of St Mary's and St Machar's into one cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
, and he is also credited with making the parish church of Crimond
Crimond
Crimond is a village in the northeast of Scotland, located nine miles northwest of the port of Peterhead and just over two miles from the coast.- Local area :...
into Aberdeen's fourteenth prebend.
Two different dates have been given for his death. Walter Bower
Walter Bower
Walter Bower , Scottish chronicler, was born about 1385 at Haddington, East Lothian.He was abbot of Inchcolm Abbey from 1418, was one of the commissioners for the collection of the ransom of James I, King of Scots, in 1423 and 1424, and in 1433 one of the embassy to Paris on the business of the...
states that it was 1270, and the Aberdeen Registrum gives 26 April 1272. His successor Hugh de Benin
Hugh de Benin
Hugh de Benin [Benham] was a 13th century bishop. If his name represents Benholm, then he may have come from an English or Anglo-Norman family recently settled in the Mearns Hugh de Benin [Benham] (died 1282) was a 13th century bishop. If his name represents Benholm, then he may have come from an...
was consecrated in the summer of the latter year.