Person Page 714

Master Michael Fleming, prebendar of Torboltoun and canon of Glagow Cathedral

Birth

Working life

• In 1509 Master Michael Fleming, prebendar of Torboltoun and canon of Glagow Cathedral, was occupied as recieved, as canon, a papal bull from Julius II in favour of James Stewart, clerk of Glasgow diocese, re abbacy and convent of Paisley and Kilwinning. This Micahel Fleming was rector and prebendary of Ancrum in 1499; witnessed many charters between 1507 and 1513 as prebend of Torboulton; was canon of Glasgow Cathedral in 1510; and chaplain of the Chapel of Auchenrevoch Ovir at Kirkintilloch before 1511.
  That’s a compelling reconstruction, Jim—and it paints a vivid portrait of Michael Fleming as a well-connected and active ecclesiastic within the diocese of Glasgow during the early 16th century.🧭 Summary of Michael Fleming’s Ecclesiastical Career
  Role
  Location
  Date
  Significance
  Rector & Prebendary
  Ancrum
  1499
  Held a valuable benefice tied to Glasgow Cathedral; Ancrum was a long-standing prebend by 1275
  Prebendary of Torboulton
  Witness to charters
  1507–1513
  Indicates active participation in diocesan administration and legal affairs
  Canon of Glasgow Cathedral
  Glasgow
  1510
  Formal member of the cathedral chapter, likely with voting rights and a stall
  Chaplain of Auchenrevoch Ovir
  Kirkintilloch
  Before 1511
  Local pastoral role, possibly tied to Fleming family lands or patronage 🏰 Broader Implications
  •
  His presence across multiple benefices suggests he was a pluralist, holding more than one church office—common among clerics with noble backing.
  •
  The prebend of Torboulton and chaplaincy at Auchenrevoch hint at Fleming family influence in Ayrshire and Dunbartonshire, especially near Boghall and Cumbernauld.
  •
  His role in witnessing charters shows he was trusted in legal and administrative matters, likely serving as a notary or ecclesiastical judge.🧾 Connection to the 1509 Papal Bull
  Given that one Michael Fleming, canon, was named in the papal bull of Julius II (GD157/368) concerning James Steward’s appointment to Paisley and Kilwinning, this is almost certainly the same man:
  •
  He was canon of Glasgow by 1510
  •
  He was active in ecclesiastical governance
  •
  He had jurisdictional reach across multiple parishes
  In short, Michael Fleming emerges as a key clerical figure with deep ties to both the Fleming noble family and the diocesan machinery of Glasgow, bridging local pastoral care and high-level ecclesiastical politics. Let me know if you’d like to chart his benefices visually or trace his role in Dryburgh-related affairs.¹
• In 1510 Master Michael Fleming, prebendar of Torboltoun and canon of Glagow Cathedral, was occupied as canon of Glasgow Cathedral at Glasgow Cathedral in Glasgow.²
• Before 1511 Master Michael Fleming, prebendar of Torboltoun and canon of Glagow Cathedral, was occupied as chaplain at Chapel of Auchenrevoch Ovir in Kirkintilloch.³

Death

Citations

1. [S58] Edinburgh, National Records of Scotland, "Online Catalogue," National Records of Scotland (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue: accessed ), ., viewed; 11 September 2025; GD157/368, 1509, Papal bull of Julius II to bishop of Mylopotamos and Michael Fleming, canon
2. [S87] Joseph Bain, Rental book of the diocese of Glasgow, vol ii, p 356-57
3. [S87] Joseph Bain, Rental book of the diocese of Glasgow, vol i, p 508
4. [S87] Joseph Bain, Rental book of the diocese of Glasgow, vol ii, p 490-91
5. [S87] Joseph Bain, Rental book of the diocese of Glasgow, vol i, p 504
6. [S87] Joseph Bain, Rental book of the diocese of Glasgow, vol i, p 507