# Gamelin (bishop) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gamelin_(bishop) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gamelin_(bishop).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamelin_(bishop) > Source revision: 1315931986 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Gamelin Bishop of St Andrews Seal of bishop Gamelin. Diocese St Andrews Appointed 1255 Predecessor Abel de Golynn Successor William Wishart Orders Consecration 26 December 1255 by William de Bondington Personal details Died (1271-04-29)29 April 1271 Inchmurdo Palace, Fife **Gamelin** (died 29 April 1271) was a 13th-century [Bishop of St Andrews](/source/Bishop_of_St_Andrews) and a key political figure aligned with the [Comyn family](/source/Comyn_family). He served as [Chancellor of Scotland](/source/Lord_Chancellor_of_Scotland) under King [Alexander III of Scotland](/source/Alexander_III_of_Scotland) and was also a [Papal](/source/Pope) [chaplain](/source/Chaplain). His career was deeply intertwined with both ecclesiastical duties and the political struggles of his time, particularly through his strong association with the Comyns. ## Early life and rise to power Gamelin's career began during the reign of [Alexander II](/source/Alexander_II_of_Scotland), when he became a [Papal](/source/Papal) chaplain by 1245. He held the church of [Kilbucho](/source/Kilbucho) in Peeblesshire and was connected to important political families like the Comyns and Fitz Gilberts, who played major roles in Scottish politics. By April 1245, he had become a canon of [Glasgow](/source/Glasgow_Cathedral), and by the early 1250s, he succeeded Robert, Abbot of Dunfermline, as Chancellor of Scotland.[1] Gamelin, Bishop of St Andrews, had a brother named Master John, who is recorded as a witness to one of the bishop’s official acts.[2] It is possible that this Master John was the same individual as [John de Glasgu](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_de_Glasgu&action=edit&redlink=1), Gamelin’s chaplain and potentially the earliest documented bearer of the [Glasgow surname](/source/Glasgow_(surname)).[3] ## Bishop of St Andrews and political struggles Gamelin was [postulated](/source/Postulate) to the bishopric of [St Andrews](/source/St_Andrews) in Lent 1255, and his election was confirmed by [Pope Alexander IV](/source/Pope_Alexander_IV) on 1 July 1255, despite his apparent "defect of birth." He was consecrated by [William de Bondington](/source/William_de_Bondington), Bishop of Glasgow, on 26 December 1255.[4] Gamelin’s political alliance with the Comyn family placed him at odds with the rival Durward faction, led by [Alan Durward](/source/Alan_Durward). In 1256, a year after the Durwards seized control, Gamelin was exiled from Scotland. He sought refuge at the [papal court](/source/Curia), where Pope Alexander IV issued an excommunication against those responsible for his expulsion.[5] ## Return to Scotland and later years In 1258, after the Comyns regained power, Gamelin returned to Scotland and resumed his duties as Bishop of St Andrews. His return was enabled by papal support, and he continued to support the Comyn faction in their political struggles. He remained Bishop of St Andrews until his death at Inchmurdo Palace, Fife, on 29 April 1271.[6] ## Political alliances and the Comyn Family Gamelin’s political career was deeply tied to his support for the Comyn family, who were one of the most influential noble families in 13th-century Scotland. His early connections to the church of Kilbucho linked him to figures like [Gilbert Fitz Richer](/source/Gilbert_Fitz_Richard) and Adam Fitz Gilbert, further cementing his association with the Comyns.[7] The Comyns’ political dominance has often been downplayed by chroniclers sympathetic to later figures like [Robert the Bruce](/source/Robert_the_Bruce). However, contemporary sources suggest that the Comyns were a formidable force, and Gamelin’s career was inextricably linked with their political fortunes.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Death and legacy Gamelin died on 29 April 1271 at Inchmurdo Palace. He was succeeded by [William Wishart](/source/William_Wishart) as Bishop of St Andrews. Gamelin’s legacy is marked by his involvement in both the ecclesiastical hierarchy and the political struggles of medieval Scotland, as well as his steadfast loyalty to the Comyn family.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Dowden, John, *The Bishops of Scotland*, ed. J. Maitland Thomson, Glasgow, 1912. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Gamelin, Bishop of St Andrews, People of Medieval Scotland"](https://poms.ac.uk/record/person/456/). Retrieved 9 September 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Watt, D.E.R., *Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638*, Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh, 1969. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Dowden, John, *The Bishops of Scotland*, ed. J. Maitland Thomson, Glasgow, 1912. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Campbell, Marion, *Alexander III: King of Scots*, House of Lochar, Colonsay, 1999. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Young, Alan & Cumming, George, *The Real Patriots of Early Scottish Independence*, Birlinn, Edinburgh, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Brankstone_7-0)** Brankstone, J., Sharp, J.C.B., & Guido, M.A., "A Cumberland Family with Roots in Medieval Scotland and Northern England: A Study of Gilbert Fitz Richer and His Descendants," *Foundations*, 2008, vol. 2 (5), pp. 358-372. - Dowden, John, *The Bishops of Scotland*, ed. J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912) - Campbell, Marion, *Alexander III: King of Scots*, House of Lochar, (Colonsay, 1999) - Young, Alan & Cumming, George, *The Real Patriots of Early Scottish Independence*, Birlinn, (Edinburgh, 2014) - Brankstone, J., Sharp, J.C.B., & Guido, M.A., "A Cumberland Family with Roots in Medieval Scotland and Northern England: A Study of Gilbert Fitz Richer and His Descendants," *Foundations*, 2008, vol. 2 (5), pp. 358-372 - Watt, D.E.R., *Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638*, Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh, 1969 Religious titles Preceded by Abel de Golynn Bishop of St Andrews (Cell Rígmonaid) 1255–1271 Succeeded by William Wishart v t e Bishops and archbishops of St Andrews Known pre-Norman era bishops Cellach I Fothad I Máel Ísu I Cellach II Máel Muire Máel Ísu II Ailín Máel Dúin Túathal Fothad II Giric Cathróe Scoto-Norman era bishops Turgot of Durham Eadmer Robert of Scone Ernald Richard the Chaplain Hugh the Chaplain John Scotus Roger de Beaumont Geoffrey de Liberatione William de Malveisin David de Bernham Robert de Stuteville Abel de Gullane Gamelin William Wishart William Fraser William de Lamberton James Bane William Bell William de Landallis Stephen de Pa Walter Trail Thomas Stewart Walter de Danielston Gilbert de Greenlaw Henry Wardlaw James Kennedy Patrick Graham Pre-Reformation archbishops Patrick Graham William Scheves James Stewart, Duke of Ross Alexander Stewart John Hepburn Cardinal Innocenzo Cybo Andrew Forman James Beaton Cardinal David Beaton John Hamilton Gavin Hamilton Post-Reformation archbishops John Douglas Patrick Adamson George Gledstanes John Spottiswoode James Sharp Alexander Burnet Arthur Rose Afterwards, see also: Episcopal Archbishops of St Andrews, Bishops of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane (etc.) & Roman Catholic Archbishops of St Andrews and Edinburgh (etc.) This article about a Catholic bishop from Scotland is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. - [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Scotland-RC-bishop-stub) - [t](/source/Template_talk%3AScotland-RC-bishop-stub) - [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Scotland-RC-bishop-stub) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gamelin (bishop)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamelin_(bishop)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamelin_(bishop)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.