James Kennedy

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For other men named James Kennedy, see James Kennedy (disambiguation).

The seal of Bishop Kennedy. It reads jacobi dei gracia episcopi sancti andree, of James by God's grace bishop of St Andrew.

James Kennedy (Scottish Gaelic: Seumas Ceanadach; † 1465) was a 15th century Bishop of Dunkeld and Bishop of St. Andrews, who participated in the Council of Florence and was the last man to govern the diocese of St. Andrews purely as bishop.

He was the son of Sir James Kennedy of Dunure and Mary, Countess of Angus and second daughter of King Robert II of Scotland. He was a canon and sub-deacon of Dunkeld until his provision and election to that see on July 1, 1437, after the death of Domhnall MacNeachdainn, the last elected bishop who died on his way to obtain consecration from the Pope. He received consecration in 1438, the following year.

Bishop James, however, was not Bishop of Dunkeld for long. The death of Henry Wardlaw left the bishopric of St Andrews, the most prestigious Scottish see, vacant, and it was James who was postulated to the vacancy. This occurred while James was at the court of Pope Eugenius IV, busy at Florence on the historical Council of Florence. However, before royal letters arrived bearing news of James' election, the Pope had already provided his translation to the see. Formal translation took place on June 8, 1440. He was an active and successful bishop.

He died sometime in the year 1465, and was succeeded to St. Andrews by Patrick Graham, Bishop of Brechin.

[edit] Reference

• Dowden, John, The Bishops of Scotland, ed. J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912)