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.

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. John's father was probably Laurence de Crannach (fl. 1398), burgess of Aberdeen, whose wife was named Christiana.

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. The famous archdeacon of Aberdeen and poet, John Barbour, stood surety for him in 1406 and 1407. For some time, John was a student of theology, having become a Bachelor of Theology by autumn of 1416.

He was also a participant in student and school affairs, being variously a key holder of the University of Paris' "English nation" (the nation at the university for all non-Romance speakers) and head of the Scottish province therein. He served as representative of the university at a Paris ecclesiastical council, 30 November 1413, which debated and denounced the arguments of theologian Jean Petit. During the same period, Crannach was a popular teacher of Scottish and other students at the university, but did not return there after January 1418 when he left for the papal court at Constance.

Paris in the following years was subject to occupation and incursions from both Burgundians and English, both enemies of the Franco-Scottish alliance. In this era Crannach served the Dauphin Charles as a diplomat, counsellor and "household master of requests" [Watt]. He headed an embassy to Scotland in 1419 that resulted in a Scottish army being brought to France. He was still in the service of Charles, now king, when Pope Martin V provided Crannach bishop of Caithness on 4 December 1422. He travelled to Scotland again soon after this provision, along with John Stewart, Earl of Buchan, and is recorded at Edinburgh in November 1423.

Crannach was in Rome in 1424, probably in relation to his bishopric, provision to which was renewed in Crannach's presence on 11 December 1424. 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.