Thomas de Rossy - Early Years

Early Years

There is not enough evidence to detail Rossy's early life and career. His name indicates a family origin from Rossie, but many locations have this name, including Rossie in Gowrie, Rossie in Angus and Rossie in Strathearn. On 3 October 1371, following a request from King Charles V of France and Robert II of Scotland, he received papal permission to take the Bachelor of Theology degree at the University of Paris; this is his first appearance in contemporary records.

This Papal Bull provides information about his earlier life. He was Scottish, had entered the Order of the Friars Minor (Franciscans), he had studied the Seven Liberal Arts and Theology at various locations — including the University of Paris — and had preached in Paris. It is likely that Thomas had returned to his home country to preach and teach, a custom in the Franciscan Order. In his later writings he claimed to have studied in Paris and to have lived among the English for seven years, obtaining a good "understanding of their character".