John de Crannach

John de Crannach (c. 1386 – 1453/54) was a 15th-century Scottish scholar, diplomat and prelate. Originating in the north-east of Lowland Scotland, he probably came from a family associated with the burgh of Aberdeen. Like many of his relatives, he flourished in the 15th-century Scottish church. After just over a decade at the University of Paris, Crannach became a servant of the then Dauphin (later king) Charles (VII).

During his period in France he received provision as bishop of Caithness, but within four years was translated and consecrated bishop of Brechin. He was a prominent ambassador of James I and travelled abroad frequently during the 1430s and early 1440s. In the diocese of Brechin Crannach was usually absent until 1445, but was embroiled in a dispute with the archdeacon of Brechin Gilbert Forrester.

Early years He was born around 1386 (or soon before), which is known because he was a Master of Arts in 1406, a requirement of which was being at least 20 years old. The name "de Crannach" comes from the former sheriffdom of Banff, either Crannach in Grange parish or Cranna in Marnoch parish.

Three of his brothers are known; one, William, was a prominent Augustinian canon who became abbot of Inchaffray (1430–1433 or 1435), while another, David de Crannach, was sub-dean of Dunkeld and dean of Brechin. His third brother, Robert de Crannach, was precentor of Brechin from 1440 to sometime between 1453 and 1457, as well as dean of Dunblane (1430–1439 or 1440). His uncle, Adam de Crannach (also "de Aberdeen"), was also a prominent Augustistian, serving as abbot of Scone between 1418 and 1432.

A student of the University of Paris in the early 15th century, he was Bachelor of Arts in February 1405, and a Licentiate and Master of Arts in May 1406. He was regent of the Arts between 1406 and his departure from the university in 1417.

Diplomat and churchman Paris in the following years was subject to occupation and incursions from both Burgundians and English, both enemies of the Franco-Scottish alliance. He travelled to Scotland again soon after this provision, along with John Stewart, Earl of Buchan, and is recorded at Edinburgh in November 1423. Although his kinsmen and other agents were drawing revenue from the see by May 1425, he remained unconsecrated and probably had yet to visit the diocese even in June 1426. By 1424 at the latest Crannach was a priest and rector of Chantenay (in Sarthe department) in the diocese of Le Mans, a canonry gained either through the university of through service to the Dauphin.

It was on 7 June 1426 that Crannach was translated from Caithness to the apparently more appealing see of Brechin, vacant by the death of Walter Forrester. He was in Rome in 1426 as part of an embassy sent by the king of the Scots, James I, who wished, among other things, to secure the appointment of John Cameron as bishop of Glasgow. He was at Bruges in July 1436, and at Rome between February and July 1437, again in 1440, and yet again from September to November 1442. In 1429, he witnessed the foundation of a college of priests at Brechin by Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl and Lord of Brechin.

Although largely absent from his diocese between 1436 and 1445, his presence is on record for January 1439, February 1441, and February 1445. One of his earliest acts in this period was the purchase of land at Keithock (Angus).

The Auchinleck Chronicle placed Crannach's death in 1456, but this is incorrect. Crannach's last appearance in surviving contemporary sources is 17 November 1453. He was dead by 8 March 1454, when his successor George Shoreswood received notice of his provision to the vacant see.