GORDON, William last Pre-Reformation Bishop of Aberdeen, Right Reverend Dr ^{1 2}

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  General Notes:

".... the said Alexander third Earl of Huntly had only four Sons, viz. George the Eldest who died without succession and of whom there is no memory, John the Second Lord Gordon of whom is come the Family of Huntly, Alexander the third Son who was Laird of Strathawn and thereafter of Cluny of whom is come the Family of Cluny, and the 4th son William Gordon who was Bishop of Aberdeen." (page 20)

"The cadents of William Gordon, bishop of Aberdeen, fourth son to Alexander 3d Earl of Huntly. This William Gordon Bishop of Aberdeen had two natural Sons, viz. Mr John Gordon who coft some Houses in the Old town of Aberdeen, and Mr Walter Gordon ; the said Mr John Gordon dyed without Succession, his brother Mr Walter succeeded to his Houses and Lands and married and begat a son called Wm Gordon." (page 22)

from Balbithan MS




"Opposite to this building (town house of Old Aberdeen) stood, in ancient times, the cross, which was formed of an upright stone, raised, upon a pedestal of a few steps, above the level of the street. On the top of the stone was engraved the effigy of the Virgin Mary ; under which were the armorial bearings of Bishops Dunbar, Stuart, and Gordon. The date of its erection, therefore, could not have been earlier than the year 1545, at which time Bishop Gordon succeeded to the episcopal see, on the death of Bishop Stuart. It was removed about the time of rebuilding the town house." (page 311)

"About the dawn of the Reformation, all these articles (sacred altar ornaments), with the other sacred property belonging to the cathedral, appear to have been of considerable value. When intelligence was brought of the progress made by the reformers in Aberdeen, Bishop William Gordon delivered to the prebendaries of the church, chalices, and other plate, to the amount of 53 libs. 12 oz. 8ds. in weight, for preservation; and to the Earl of Huntly the bishop's mitres, with the sacred vestments, and the remainder of the gold and silver work, weighing 54 libs. 12 oz. 4ds. on receiving his Lordship's bond, by which he obliged himself to restore them when he should be required by the bishop and chapter. What became of the ornaments and plate received by the canons cannot now be known." (page 335)

from Annals of Aberdeen




"William. He took the degree of Doctor in Paris, where Ferrerius says he lived with him, was nominated to the canonry of Arbuthnot, was Chancellor of Moray, and became Bishop of Aberdeen, of which he is styled Bishop-elect 14 October 1545.10 He died 6 August 1577."

from Scots Peerage (vol 4)




"The Bishop of Aberdeen had at first held out promise of 'leading an honourable and vertuous life.' Indeed, so marked was the change in his conduct that more than one historian has been led to suppose that there were two bishops of the same name - 'ane a prelate of guid living,' according to Leslie ; and the other, according to Spottiswood, 'a man not worthy to be placed In this catalogue.' In the Registruin Episcopatis Aberdonense Is published a curious Memorial of Advice by the Chapter to the Bishop, at his own request,wherein he is directed as to the proper ordering of his house, because 'diverse sayis they cannot accept correctioun of him quhilk will nocht correct himself.' The memorial is full of good advice, and the Bishop is enjoined that when he goes out to the fields to repose himself to be careful in the selection of his compannions."

from Records of Aboyne ^{1 2 4 5}

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Bishop, 1545-1577, of Aberdeen. ¹ "(list of Bishops of) ABERDEEN

1545 William Gordon son to the Earl of Huntly, the last Roman catholic prelate of Aberdeen, who died in the year 1577

After the Reformation,

1577 David Cunningham subdean of Glasgow, the first protestant bishop, and minister of Saint Nicholas church"

from Annals of Aberdeen

2. Chancellor: of King's College, 1546, Aberdeen, Scotland. ¹ "(list of) CHANCELLORS (of King's College Aberdeen)

1546 William Gordon, Bishop of Aberdeen"

from Annals of Aberdeen

William had a relationship with Janet KNOWLES, daughter of Alexander KNOWLES Burgess of Aberdeen and Unknown. (Janet KNOWLES was born about 1520.)

  Marriage Notes:

"About the dawn of the Reformation, the patrimony of the hospital was dilapidated by Bishop William Gordon, the last Roman catholic prelate of Aberdeen, who, with Sir John Collison, the rector and subchantor of the church, alienated the lands, by way of feu, to different persons. Among these we find Andrew Brebner, burgess of Aberdeen, feuer or vassal of South Spittal and Wester Peter, afterwards distinguished by tlie name of Froghall. On the 20th of October, 1565, the same bishop, with concurrence of the chapter, in consideration of L.15, Scottish money, of annual feu duty, and Ss. 4d. of augmentation, conveyed, by a feu charter, the lands of North Spittal to Janet Knowles, his concubine [*Keith's History of Scotland, Appendix], in life rent, and to George Gordon, her son, in fee, whom failing, to his brothers John and William, and to his sisters, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Mathia, successively."

from Annals of Aberdeen




"On 20th October 1565, Bishop Gordon granted a charter of the lands of North Spittal to 'Janet Knowles [probably "the gentilwoman who slandered him"] in life rent and to George, John, William, Elizabeth, Margaret and Martha Gordons in fee.' Janet Knowles, Knowis, or Knollis was the daughter of Alexander Knowles, burgess of Aberdeen, and the foregoing were her children by the Bishop. Of the above children, Margaret married George Knowles. John and George possessed property in Aberdeen. William Gordon possessed the half lands of Boghole and Mill thereof, which he sold to William Menzies and Elizabeth Cocklaw, his spouse, in 1562. He also possessed the lands of Corthymure, which he resigned on 14th April 1562, when his father granted them to Andrew Buk and Meit Menzies, his spouse (Reg. Mag. Stg., xxxii., 125). John Gordon died without issue, and he was succeeded by another brother, 'Mr. Walter who married and had a son, William Gordon' (M. S. Pedigree). Marjory, another daughter, married Mr. John Fraser, and they had a charter of the lands of Towie from Bishop Gordon, 4th February 1556. She died on 14th January 1581."

from Records of Aboyne ^{1 5}