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Nicholas of Arbroath

1201 – 1306

Roman Catholic bishop

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About Nicholas of Arbroath

Lived 1201 – 1306 (aged 104–105). Nicholas of Arbroath was a catholic priest.

Nicholas O. Tiron (died 1306 × 1307), Abbot of Arbroath and Bishop of Dunblane, was a late 13th-century and early 14th-century churchman in the Kingdom of Scotland. Little is known about Nicholas until he appeared on 21 November 1299, holding the position of Abbot of Arbroath in a charter of that abbey; the last attestation of his predecessor Henry can be dated to 16 October 1296, so that Nicholas must have become abbot sometime in between these two dates.

As Abbot of Arbroath, he was a canon of Dunblane Cathedral, and entitled to participate in episcopal elections. Bishop Alpín had died sometime between 1 October 1299 and 15 October 1301, and the new election to the bishopric became deadlocked.

Several canons had emerged as candidates, and it seems to have been decided that all candidates should proceed to the papal see to request judgment from the Pope. As it happened, Abbot Nicholas was the only candidate to travel to the papacy; as Cockburn commented, "An abbot could face the heavy expense; no poor canon of the Cathedral could". When no other turned up, the Pope authorised Nicholas' provision, and he was consecrated by Theodoric, Bishop of Palestrina, on 13 November 1301.

Nicholas' short career as bishop is not well recorded. In the events of the early Wars of Scottish Independence, Nicholas' role is unclear and aside from some appearances in the charters of Coupar Angus Abbey, his name is largely absent from the evidence.

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Important facts

Born
1201
Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Abbot

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Nicholas of Arbroath's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Nicholas of Arbroath?

Roman Catholic bishop

When was Nicholas of Arbroath born?

Nicholas of Arbroath was born in 1201.

When did Nicholas of Arbroath die?

Nicholas of Arbroath died on 26 January 1306.

What was Nicholas of Arbroath's occupation?

Nicholas of Arbroath was a catholic priest.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Nicholas of Arbroath

· Wikidata: Q7026482

· DBpedia: Nicholas of Arbroath

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Nicholas of Arbroath. https://biography.guide/nicholas-of-arbroath/

MLA: "Nicholas of Arbroath." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/nicholas-of-arbroath/.

Chicago: "Nicholas of Arbroath." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/nicholas-of-arbroath/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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