William de Lamberton Totally Explained

Everything about William De Lamberton totally explained

William de Lamberton, sometimes modernized as William Lamberton, (died 20 May 1328) was Bishop of St Andrews from 1297 (consecrated 1298) until his death. Lamberton is renowned for his influential role during the Scottish Wars of Independence. He campaigned for the national cause under William Wallace and later Robert the Bruce. Bishop Lamberton is also known for the coronation of Robert the Bruce as King Robert I, breaking a law imposed by Edward I that had reduced Scotland to a land opposed to a Kingdom. Lamberton would go on to have a vital role in the formulation of the Declaration of the Clergy 1310 and the Declaration of Arbroath which would lead to Scottish Independence.
During his tenure Lamberton was excommunicated by Rome for his role in the Wars of Independence along with Robert I and the Clergy of Scotland. However, he was quickly reconciled with the Papacy before his death.

Birth and Early Life

Lamberton is recorded in one source as coming from the ancient Barony of Kilmaurs, Ayrshire and his surname would in this case be Cunninghame, for the Lands of Lambroughton have an ancient origin inextricably linked to the Cunninghame family (McNaught 1912).
William may also have come from the settlement of Lamberton, near Berwick in the Scottish Borders (Logan Mack 1926). The name Lamberton here was derived from the Germanic name Lambert, whilst Lambroughton, sometimes spelt Lamberton, is derived from a corruption of the clan McLamroch.
Details from the National Dictionary of Biography do seem to clarify his origins in the Lamberton family, originally from Berwickshire, but holding lands in north-east Scotland by the late twelfth century and later in Stirlingshire also. Details of his birth, education, and early career are not certain; he'd certainly received a university education by early 1293 and become a canon of Glasgow. By the time of his appearance at King John's (Baliol) first parliament in February 1293 he was chancellor of Glasgow Cathedral. He seems to have been sent abroad for further study by Bishop Robert Wishart of Glasgow, probably in the year or two before July 1295.

Bishop of Saint Andrews

He was appointed Bishop of St Andrews in 1298 by Pope Boniface VIII in succession to William Fraser. Lamberton appears to have been a very odd choice for a Bishop as he was very young at the time. However, according to Scottish historian Geoffrey Barrow Lamberton landed the position of Bishop due to then Guardian William Wallace who saw Lamberton as a potential ally and supporter of Independence, likely due to Lamberton's close ties with Bishop Wishart of Glasgow who was a staunch supporter of Independence. St Andrews was then the wealthiest and most powerful See in Scotland catapulting Lamberton straight into the highest circles in Scotland.
   The English would later charge Wallace with forcing the Chapter of Saint Andrews into electing Lamberton although evidence suggests that Lamberton was a popular candidate amongst the Chapter attracting the support of Nicholas Balmyle and William Comyn. He was consecrated in Rome on 1 June 1298, before joining other Scots on a diplomatic mission to France.
   Bishop Lamberton took a young James Douglas as his squire, Douglas' father having been part of Wallace's raids in Northern England who had been arrested and had his lands confiscated. Lamberton protected Douglas and took him to court to petition unsuccessfully for the return of his estates. James Douglas later became one of the closest friends of Robert the Bruce.
   William Lamberton rebuilt St. Andrew's Cathedral, the castle of St Andrew's, and the fortified manor houses at Inchmurdo, Monimail, Dairsie, Torry, Muckhart, Kettins, Monymusk, Lasswade, and Stow.

Role in War of Independence

Upon becoming Bishop, Lamberton found himself in control of the diocese's vast funds; he used them to fund the war against England. He would also act as an important diplomat and envoy for Scotland. Lamberton remained a supporter of Scotland's independence and was even excommunicated for his role.

Diplomacy

When being consecrated as Bishop, Lamberton went to France to build support for Scotland in the French Court and Papal Curia. As early as June 1298 Lamberton had won victories for the Scottish cause; his activities led both the King of France Philip IV and Pope Boniface VII to pressure Edward I to halt his attacks on Scotland. It led to Scotland's deposed king John Balliol bring handed over into papal custody in 1299.
In a letter to Scottish leaders dated 6 April 1299 Philip IV commended Lamberton's efforts and declared he'd assist Scotland. Despite the Bishop's pleas, he didn't send a military force to Scotland. Lamberton returned to France in 1301, and then in 1302, to keep pressing for France's support in the war. Lamberton clearly formed a bond with Philip - the French king intervened several times for Scotland.
Bishop Lamberton's diplomatic abilities were later recognised by the Scottish Magnates when he was chosen as a third Guardian, alongside Robert Bruce and John Comyn in 1299. His role was to act as a third, senior, but neutral party between the two enemies. He would hold the position until 1301 and during his term he formed a close friendship with Bruce.

Wallace's man

Lamberton owed his position largely to the efforts of William Wallace who had been made sole Guardian of Scotland after the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 (Wallace was originally joint-guardian with Andrew Murray who died soon after Stirling) and as such Lamberton supported Wallace's campaigns with both money and spiritual support. Spiritual in the sense that Lamberton's clergy publicly denounced the English and supported Wallace. Financially Lamberton ordered his Diocese's officials to divert Church funds to Wallace's campaign and urged Wallace to continue to fight England.
However, after Wallace was defeated at Falkirk he resigned the guardianship. Nonetheless, Lamberton continued to support Scottish Independence.

Ties with Robert the Bruce

After forming close ties with Bruce during his time as Guardian Lamberton saw him as a potential leader of a fight for independence.
   On 11 June 1204 Lamberton and Bruce formed a band "to resist prudently attacks by rivals...to be of one anothers council in all their business and affairs at all times...without any deceit" This bond marked Bishop William's leap from support of Balliol to Bruce.
   Both Lamberton and Bishop Wishart of Glasgow are said to have assured Bruce that should he make a move for Kingship they wouldn't try to stop him. In fact, quite the opposite happened. After Bruce murdered the Red Comyn in the Grayfriars Church, Dumfries he made an immediate grab for the throne having himself crowned King of Scotland in Scone Abbey on 25 March 1306. Lamberton played a n unknown role in the coronation but celebrated Palm Sunday Mass for the new King following his crowning. Bishop Lamberton was arrested and put in irons for their roles in Bruce's coronation. "Only their Orders saved them from hanging." writes Barrow. Lamberton was later charged with treason against Edward.
   After Edward I's death Lamberton later swore fealty to his son Edward II swearing to pursue the King's enemies, pay a ransom of £6000 in installments and remain within the boundaries of the See of Durham. Lamberton saw his oath to Edward II as a necessity and exhorted from him under duress- therefore invalid. During his holding in England Lamberton positioned himself on the Tweed so that he could maintain connections with the parts of his diocese under English rule. Lamberton also wrote a letter to Philip of France asking for the King to help him gain freedom from England. Interestingly Lamberton attended negotiations in 1309 as an "English" envoy, and would continue to appear to be on both Edward's side and Robert's. However, when Lamberton was received back into Robert's favour in 1312 there's no indication that Robert felt betrayed. Lamberton would never again collaborate with the English and Edward even attempted to have him ousted from the See of St Andrews in 1218 by writing letters to the Pope charging Lamberton with treason. However, Edward's efforts failed.

Excommunication and Reconciliation

Lamberton spent the remainder of his life administering his great See and continuing to advise, and supporting Robert I. Lamberton and three other bishops were summoned to Avignon by letters dated 18 November. However, the summonses were ignored and Lamberton was excommunicated on 16 June 1320. King Robert, Lamberton and the Community of the Realm sent three separate replies to Pope John XXII; the last group's letter, now known as the Declaration of Arbroath, is the most famous, but it was a reply to Lamberton's letter which carried the news that any excommunication would be delayed until April 1321, giving Lamberton and the Scots time to reconcile themselves with the Papacy. Indeed, the letter did result in Scotland's reconciliation with Rome. Lamberton's and Robert I's bans of excommunication were lifted.

Death

Bishop William de Lamberton died on 20 May 1328, two months after Edward III of England and 18 days after England officially recognized that Scotland was a free, separate and independent state from England forever. He was buried on the north side of the high altar of his cathedral on 7 June 1328.

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