William de Lauder

Who was William de Lauder?

William de Lauder [Lawedre] was bishop of Glasgow and Lord Chancellor of Scotland.

The son of Sir Robert de Lawedre of Edrington, and The Bass, by his spouse Annabella, William was uterine brother to Alexander de Lawedre, bishop of Dunkeld.

William Lauder held a Doctorate in Canon Law was educated at the University of Paris where he took a great interest in its affairs and eventually became Rector. In 1392, while still at university, he was given the parish church of St. Eligius, a benefice in the gift of the Bishop, dean and chapter of St. Malo. He also appears on the Roll of the University of Angers where he spent some time studying and lecturing.

Before 1404, William Lauder had the Archdeaconry of Lothian conferred on him by Bishop Wardlaw of St.Andrews, as well as holding a canonry and prebend in Moray. In 1405 Lauder unsuccessfully sued in the Curia for the Precentorship of Glasgow. "Willielmus de Lawadir, Archdeacon of Lothian, accompanied by Alanus de Lawedir de Scotia" had a safe-conduct from King Henry IV dated 18 September 1404 with another the following year.