Alexander Stewart (c. 1490 – 1513 September 9) was an illegitimate son of King James IV of Scotland and his mistress Marion Boyd. He was a pupil of Erasmus of Rotterdam. Despite being appointed Archbishop of St Andrews at an age of no more than fifteen, his educational qualifications for the job may therefore have been exceptional. He is said to have been extremely short-sighted, possibly from excessive study. The possibility that, following his teacher's attitude to corruption in the late-medieval church, he might have instituted a policy of reform rendering the uniquely destructive Scottish Reformation unnecessary, is one of the tantalising possibilities of Scottish hisotry.
His father had him appointed Archbishop of St Andrews. He held office as Lord Chancellor of Scotland from 1510 until his death. In 1511 he co-founded St Leonard's College in St Andrews. A gateway with his coat of arms above the arch survives in St Andrews.
He was killed along with his father at the Battle of Flodden Field.
| Religious titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Stewart |
Archbishop of St.
Andrews 1504–1513 |
Succeeded by Andrew Forman |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Vacant (James Stewart to 1504) |
Lord Chancellor of
Scotland 1510–1513 |
Succeeded by James Beaton |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by James Stewart, Duke of Ross Archbishop of St Andrews |
Chancellor of the University of St Andrews 1504 - 1513 |
Succeeded by Andrew Forman Archbishop of St Andrews |
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