William Fraser (bishop)

William Fraser († August 20, 1297 ) was the late 13th century Bishop of St Andrews and Guardian of Scotland. Previously, he was dean of Glasgow and later Lord Chancellor of Scotland under Alexander III.

Life

William Fraser is mentioned by name as dean of Glasgow, on his appointment as Lord Chancellor in 1273 for the first time. The Office of the Dean, he has held since 1271. Presumably he assumed the office of Lord Chancellor true to 1279. During this time he was pastor of Ayr. On August 4, 1279, he was elected Bishop of St Andrews and the following year by Pope Nicholas III. confirmed it. It was during the crisis, on the death of Alexander III. followed one of the leading political figures of Scotland and belonged from 1286 to 1291 the College of Guardians of Scotland at that until a year ago to power of John Balliol exercised the regency. Even after Balliol appointment as king of Scotland by Edward I. in 1292 he remained one of the leading figures of the Scottish policy. In 1295 he was sent to France to negotiate the alliance with the French king. He stayed for two years, until his death, in France, where he died in " Artuyl " on August 20, 1297. His remains were buried in Paris. His heart was sent to Scotland and buried there in St Andrews by his successor William de Lamberton in one of the church walls near the grave of Bishop Gamelin.