Born about 1477, son of Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany, son of James II. His mother was Catherine Sinclair who had married the Duke of Albany but was divorced in March 1477/78 due to propinquity of blood (close degree of kinship).[1] His father re-married and had issue. With Alexander's consent he was declared to be illegitimate by the Act of Parliament on 13 Nov 1516 and thus not able to inherit the title of Duke of Albany, that going to the eldest son of the second marriage. [2]
He was proprietor of Pitcairn. He took church orders and by the Royal Family kinship he was appointed to various high offices. About 1500 he was Dean of Dunbar Collegiate Church. He was given the benefices of Abbot of Inchafray, and was elected Commendator of the Abbey of Scone in 1514 and in the same year Commendator of Whithorn. He was also Dean of Brechin about this time. In 1532 he was consecrated Bishop of Moray after receiving Papal provision 13 Sep 1529.
On 4 Jan 1528/29 King James V confirmed a charter by his cousin and councellor, Alexander Stewart of Pitcairn Commendator of Scone and Inchaffray. [3]
The Crown nominated him to the bishopric of Moray and papal provision was granted on 13 Sep 1529. He was recorded as Bishop of Moray and still Commendator of Scone and Inchaffray on 4 August 1531.[4]
John Stirling of Keir sold to Alexander the four merk lands of Pitcairn on 21 Sep 1532. [5] On 16 October 1532, Alexander described as son of the late Duke of Albany resigned his lands of Pitcairn into the hands of the king who then granted them to Alexander Stewart jnr natural son of Alexander the Duke's son.[6]
He was described as Alexander Bishop of Murray and Commendator of Scone and Inchaffray when he and the convent of the abbey of Scone, sett a tack on 4 Aug 1536 in favour of William Smyth alias Cheaman and his subtenants, for the lifetime of said William, of the lands of Braco and Warkland in lordship of Scone and sheriffdom of Perth, on payment of 46s. 8d. yearly with teinds.[7] Likewise description when he gifted the Patronage of the Altar of Katharine the Virgin & Martyr in the Church of Inverness to the Provost and Bailies of Inverness on 25 Sep 1536.[8]
About 1518 he had intention of marriage with Margaret Stewart Lady Gordon, widow of John, Lord Gordon but this did not occur. Margaret Stewart bore him a natural daughter also named Margaret Stewart. He also had other natural children including Alexander jnr mentioned above.
At Elgin on 4 Jan 1534/35 Bishop Alexander set a nineteen year tack of the lands of Greater Dranie in the barony of Kinnedor county of Elgin and Forres to his servant James Innes and his wife Elizabeth Gordon and lawful son James Innes . [9]
He was killed during a riot at Scone in 1538 and was buried in the Monastery of Scone.
The Crown had the right of the escheat of all moveable goods of bastards whether lay or cleric and thus on the death of Alexander, Bishop of Moray in 1538 King James V exercised his rights.[10]
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