called nicholas scottish administrator late 13th century early 14th century graduate unknown university served earliest years clergyman moving hold churches official late summer autumn death bishop arrival new nicholas placed charge diocese official nicholas found exercising senior role scottish affairs early chancellor scotland late 60s probably 70s stage nicholas extremely old man held position death background early life highly unlikely nicholas born later styled indicating date possessed master degree rare years old older qualification period university universities attended known nicholas referred nicholas february year began called source referring called probable adopted finished training went dropped moved nicholas apparent surname points association near region angus border possible locations early career graduate nicholas found active entourage appear witness lists following decades appear witnessing charter william earl january disappeared records found official possible period left scotland study position official held probably held post vicar definitely held nicholas found official document dating certainly document probably precisely dated pastor church september churches indirectly patronage rector cathedral church normally patronage point time young lands held november acted substitute behalf legal process edward king english succession dispute scottish throne end result selected king edward king condition open nicholas attended king john parliament february found witnessing charter abbey november official december mentioned official diocese appointed january case involving witnessed charter february nicholas wars scottish independence agreement followed king edward king scots broke king edward resolved king john invading kingdom beginning wars scottish independence nicholas pastor swore king edward august lands restored september edward having confiscated lands scottish clergy earlier year pending homage following year died nicholas chosen official diocese administer vacancy performed function return scotland france new bishop return august guardian scotland nicholas close associate nicholas seen benefited result chancellor scotland january pension chancellor paid abbey later fell later year april scottish envoys sent canterbury abortive talks english french years nicholas activities difficult trace probably involved diplomatic activity including having hand drawing brief later deliver pope interests scottish independence probably time nicholas clerk abbey canon nicholas remained chancellor accession chancellor corresponded renewed emphasis authority king john government documents chancellor words meant handful key men directed national struggle episcopal election following death namesake abbot responsibility selecting successor died january late election short list delegated perform election john abbot excluded vote known pro english tendencies seven dean known abbot william abbot michael abbot instructed elect decision promotion nicholas bishop elect travelled cathedral chapter election confirmed pope nicholas consecrated december belief supported decision result pressure new scottish king valued experience trusted political record usual secular patron diocese incumbent stage prisoner exile allowing robert place nicholas returned scotland exact nature activities years remain unclear matters episcopal rank makes likely attended took affairs kingdom early years direct proof lacking witnessed charter bishop september found witnessing ecclesiastical royal documents witnessed royal acts april edinburgh march june year july december february october came agreement resolved nicholas complaints concerning non payment pension official disputes abbey following year dispute church dispute resolved nicholas found perth assisting judgment march named papal mandatory oversee provision italian florence known exactly died known vacant january appearance records witnessing charter february death fell points
Nicholas de Balmyle