Robert de Keldeleth
Robert de Keldeleth (also: Robert Kenleith, † 1273) was first a Benedictine, later Cistercian monk in the 13th century. He was abbot of Dunfermline ( 1240-52 ) and became the Lord Chancellor of Scotland in the late 1240er years. During the time the minority of Alexander III. He was Guardian of Scotland. Since he seems to have been a staunch supporter of Alan Durward, he lost these offices 1251/52. After he had resigned as abbot of Dunfermline, it was a simple monk in the Cistercian monastery of Newbattle Abbey. From 1269 to his death he was abbot of Melrose, the mother house of Newbattle.
Work in Dunfermline
The nickname of Robert suggests that he came from or near Kinleith, in the parish of Currie, Midlothian. He initially joined as a monk in the Benedictine monastery in Dunfermline in Fife. After the death of Abbot Geoffrey III. on October 5, 1240, he was elected to succeed him. He was wearing one of the most successful abbots of the monastery and maintained close contact with Alexander II granted At the request of the Scottish king Pope Innocent IV Robert de Keldeleth on May 3, 1345 the right to a miter and a ring, which the reputation of the abbey increased. Robert was able to continue Margaret of Scotland, which is considered the founder of the Abbey of Dunfermline, to be canonized. Her shrine was in the city, and the bones were transferred in June 1250 in the Abbey. The good relationship that Robert was entertaining himself with the Pope this certainly helpful. Robert was beyond the honorary title of Papal chaplain. Furthermore, the Pope asked him regarding a benefice, which he wanted to see awarded a Florentine followers to mediate in a dispute with the bishop of St Andrews.
Work in the Scottish policy
Roberts 's political rise continued when he was appointed at an unknown date 1247-1251 Lord Chancellor of Scotland. He also was a member of the Quorum of the Guardians of Scotland that was formed after the death of Alexander II on July 6, 1249 and for the still underage Alexander III. the regency exercised. As a result, formed two Mach fractions at Scotland yard, on the one hand made by Walter Comyn and the other part to Alan Durward. Robert seems - the only one of the former Guardians of Scotland - to have been a strong supporter Durwards. 1251, he was accused of abusing the seal of the Lord Chancellor for the trial, the woman Alan Durwards - a bastard daughter of Alexander II - to legitimize. Durward would have made a legitimate heir to the Scottish crown iure uxoris. Against the backdrop of rising political influence of Walter Comyn, Robert de Keldeleth 1251 first had his title as Guardian of Scotland to give up the following year, the office of Lord Chancellor of Scotland.
Work as a Cistercian monk
Yet 1252 was Robert on the office of abbot of Dunfermline and appeared as a simple monk in the Cistercian monastery of Newbattle. Nevertheless, Robert still made a statement on Scottish politics and its replacement with the Pope put it away. In August and September 1260, Robert worked as an envoy between Alexander III. and the English King Henry III. Following the resignation of John de Ederham Robert was elected as his successor, and thus increased during the late 1260er again abbot, this time of Melrose, the mother house of Newbattle. He had thus held the highest office of the Cistercian Order in Scotland. Robert filled this position four years until he finally retired in 1273 and died in the same year. His remains were probably buried in Melrose Abbey.