William de Lamberton

When being consecrated as bishop, Lamberton went to France to build support for Scotland in the French Court and Papal Curia. As early as June 1298 Lamberton had won victories for the Scottish cause; his activities led both the King of France Philip IV and Pope Boniface VIII to pressure Edward I to halt his attacks on Scotland. It led to Scotland's deposed king John Balliol being handed over into papal custody in 1299.

In a letter to Scottish leaders dated 6 April 1299 Philip IV commended Lamberton's efforts and declared he would assist Scotland. Despite the Bishop's pleas, he did not send a military force to Scotland. Lamberton returned to France in 1301, and then in 1302, to keep pressing for France's support in the war. Lamberton clearly formed a bond with Philip - the French king intervened several times for Scotland.

Bishop Lamberton's diplomatic abilities were later recognised by the Scottish Magnates when he was chosen as a third Guardian, alongside Robert Bruce and John Comyn in 1299.[1] His role was to act as a third, senior, but neutral party between the two enemies. He would hold the position until 1301 and during his term he formed a close friendship with Bruce.

Lamberton owed his position largely to the efforts of William Wallace who had been made sole Guardian of Scotland after the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and as such Lamberton supported Wallace. Lamberton's clergy publicly denounced the English and supported Wallace. Lamberton ordered his Diocese's officials to divert Church funds to Wallace's campaign and urged Wallace to continue to fight England. After the defeat at Falkirk Wallace resigned the guardianship. Lamberton continued to support Scottish Independence.

After forming close ties with Bruce during his time as Guardian, Lamberton saw him as a potential leader of a fight for independence. On 11 June 1304 Lamberton and Bruce formed a band "to resist prudently attacks by rivals...to be of one another's council in all their business and affairs at all times...without any deceit" This bond marked Bishop William's switch from supporting Balliol to Bruce.[3]

Both Lamberton and Bishop Wishart of Glasgow are said to have assured Bruce that should he make a move for Kingship they would not try to stop him. Bruce murdered the Red Comyn in the Greyfriars Church on 10 February 1306. Less than seven weeks later Bruce was crowned King of Scotland in Scone Abbey on 25 March 1306. Lamberton and Wishart jointly conducted the coronation. Bruce was crowned again a few days later by Isabella MacDuff. Lamberton and Wishart were arrested and put in irons for their roles in Bruce's coronation and transported to London where they were imprisoned. "Only their Orders saved them from hanging."[4] Lamberton was later charged with treason against Edward.

After Edward I's death Lamberton later swore fealty to his son Edward II promising to pursue the King's enemies, pay a ransom of £6000 in instalments and remain within the boundaries of the See of Durham. Lamberton saw his oath to Edward II as a necessity and extorted from him under duress, and therefore invalid. During his time in England, Lamberton stayed near the Tweed so that he could maintain connections with the parts of his diocese under English rule. Lamberton also wrote a letter to Philip of France asking for the King to help him gain freedom from England. Lamberton attended negotiations in 1309 as an "English" envoy, and his skill as a diplomat helped him to keep on good terms with both Edward and Robert. Lamberton would never again collaborate with the English and Edward even attempted to have him ousted from the See of St Andrews in 1318 by writing letters to the Pope charging Lamberton with treason. However, Edward's efforts failed.

Lamberton and three other bishops were summoned to Avignon to explain their actions, but chose to ignore by letters the summonses. Lamberton was excommunicated on 16 June 1320. King Robert, Lamberton and the Community of the Realm sent three separate replies to Pope John XXII; the last group's letter, now known as the Declaration of Arbroath, is the most famous, but it was a reply to Lamberton's letter which carried the news that any excommunication would be delayed until April 1321, giving Lamberton and the Scots time to reconcile themselves with the Papacy. Indeed, the letter did result in Scotland's reconciliation with Rome. Lamberton's and Robert I's bans of excommunication were lifted.