Andrew Forman

Who was Andrew Forman?

Andrew Forman was a Scottish diplomat and prelate who became Bishop of Moray in 1501, Archbishop of Bourges in France, in 1513, Archbishop of St Andrews in 1514 as well as being Commendator of several monasteries. He was probably the son of Nicholas Forman of Hutton in Berwickshire, and Jonet Blackadder. Forman had three brothers, John and Adam who were both knights—Adam was the standard-bearer to King James IV at the Battle of Flodden Field and John was the king's serjeant-porter who was captured at the battle—and Robert who was dean of Glasgow cathedral. He also had two known sisters—Isabel, the second wife of Sir Patrick Home of Fast Castle and an unnamed sister whose son, John Roul, became commendator of May after Forman's death. A possible third sister, Jonet Forman the Prioress of Eklis, is the first named in a letter of protection and respite dated 28 March 1513, when Forman lists a number of his kith and kin. Like many senior churchmen of his day, his vow of celibacy was not one that he kept and was known to have had a daughter Jane who married Sir Alexander Oliphant of Kellie. He was educated at the University of St Andrews graduating as a Licentiate of the Arts in 1483.