late 14th century scottish papal bishop theologian unknown unclear origin embarked religious career early years entering studying england preached conception rose patronage scotland hold scottish staunch advocate vii english backed engaged partisan preaching writing famously challenging english bishop settle issue single combat early years evidence detail early life career indicates family origin locations including angus october following request king charles france scotland received papal permission degree appearance contemporary records provides information earlier life scottish entered order minor studied seven liberal arts theology locations including preached paris likely thomas returned home country preach teach custom later writings claimed studied paris lived english seven years obtaining good understanding character pre episcopal career thomas papal court acting making payment papal chamber having obtained theology degree thomas conception virgin paris previously appointed chancellor university deliver summer lectures sentences thomas vicar general scotland running money completion studies jeopardy reason pope gregory wrote walter renowned scholar doctors grant thomas found fit doctorate theology grant enable thomas teach legally allowing burden financial problems thomas returned scotland march april received gift king scots june thomas papal court present recently elected anti pope appointed papal english irish languages july vii provided mandate wish resign right day thomas hugh sent scotland documentary evidence events leading western events allegedly election pope urban vacant death death occurred vacancy papal prior elected succeed adam election april supported election supported scottish backed vii instead appointed unwilling raised objections appointment refusal allowed consecrated july launched appeal letter thomas dated october confirmed rejected letter sent follows bishops mandate claim advanced prior diocese true bishop virtue election chapter subsequent provision impose silence provided vii duly consecrated peaceful possession cancellation appointment appear appears active england kingdom supported urban vii bishop remained close highly active supporter preached cause february military attack planned related commission granted scottish bishop lead crusade behalf england bishop certainly thomas preached english marches attempting win supporters cause authored attacking cause english support crusade took place thomas sent letter bishops england letter invited english bishop come debate preferred wrote settle matter countries single combat probably addressed known love fighting led short expedition france summer despite fight bishop apparently refused offer combat given english priest lower status thomas bishop scottish diocese records day day activities thomas thin charter survives dated july confirming grant church charter issued parish confirmed pope october present papal court december presented pope vii roll petitions series requests granted death king scottish kingdom attended coronation new king august days coronation scotland gave sermon according thomas death succession attested record series mundane transactions conducted september granted administer deputy known returned scotland appeared sources time september exact date died mystery successor appointed meaning death occurred dates bishop thomas father legitimate offspring partners known family background likewise unknown nephew obtained papal theology writings theologian known extant writings dominated political authored extant probably extant arguments scholars written including rome alexander gregory thomas focus conception stemmed days paris preached favour suggested thomas minor particularly noted paris treatment second work defense vii attack legitimacy urban contains long detailed account events preceding account partially derived work cardinal extensive use prophecy especially attributed work mentioned letter bishops england accused english supporting urban solely hatred french
Thomas de Rossy