John Lauder - The Church

The Church

He was subsequently ordained and became at different stages of his career Archdeacon of Tweeddale, and of Teviotdale. He was Principal Private Secretary to Secretary to Cardinal David Beaton, and after him, Archbishop Hamilton. In a Feu Charter granted by David, Cardinal Beaton dated 6 October 1539 (RH6/1210), one of the witnesses was "John Lauder, Archdeacon of Tweeddale, the Cardinal's Secretary". "John Lauder, Archdeacon of Teviotdale", had a personal armorial seal, noted from a document in 1539 as: a shield bearing arms:- 1st & 4th: Three piles (charged with as many annulets?). 2nd & 3rd: A griffin segreant contourne.

In the Treasurer's Accounts we find that he was frequently employed in ecclesiastical negotiations and in 1533 was sent to Rome "in the Kingis erandis". In the National Archives of Scotland (CH7/53B) are letters of Pope Clement VII addressed to King James V acknowledging that John Lauder had delivered to him in the city of Marseilles the King's letter (dated at Stirling 10 June 1533) together with the process raised by the bishop of Whithorn and the abbot of the monastery of Holyrood against James, Archbishop of St. Andrews. Although the cause had been committed to Laurence, Cardinal Campegio, he, nevertheless, resolved to despatch a special nuncio to Scotland to settle it, the archbishop until his arrival being detained in custody without prejudice to his spiritual jurisdiction. (dated at Marseilles, 31 October 1533).

King James V had sent Lauder to Rome again the following year, with a letter, dated 5 November 1534, to congratulate Pope Paul III on his election, and "to testify to James's zeal and regard for the papacy."