Harald (Argyll)

Harald (also Haraldus and Heraldus († around 1230)) was a Scottish clergyman. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Argyll .

When exactly the Diocese of Argyll was formed is controversial. According to Walter Bower's chronicle from the 15th century, the diocese was formed from the western part of the Dunkeld diocese between 1183 and 1203 at the instigation of Bishop John von Dunkeld , because the bishop did not understand the language of the inhabitants of the remote region. John appointed his chaplain Harald as the first bishop. Since Bower has already confused Bishop John with another Bishop John von Dunkeld elsewhere in his reports , it is likely that only the second Bishop John initiated the foundation of the Diocese of Argyll between 1211 and 1214. According to this, Harald would have been a chaplain of the second Bishop John. This is supported by the fact that Harald did not die until 1230. The diocese of Argyll is also not listed in the bull Cum universi issued in 1193 , which speaks for a later foundation of Argyll. Certainly the Bishop of Dunkeld received the right to appoint the first Bishop of Argyll as compensation for the assignment of territory.

The diocese was initially heavily influenced by Duncan MacDougall , Lord of Argyll. Argyll's first cathedral was on the island of Lismore, not far from Dunstaffnage Castle , the headquarters of the Lords of Argyll. After Harald's death, the Diocese of Argyll remained vacant for several years and the income from the Diocese went to the Lord of Argyll.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Archibald AM Duncan: Scotland. The Making of the Kingdom (The Edinburgh History of Scotland; Vol. I ). Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh 1975. ISBN 0-05-00203-7-4 , p. 276.
2. ^ Archibald AM Duncan: Scotland. The Making of the Kingdom (The Edinburgh History of Scotland; Vol. I ). Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh 1975. ISBN 0-05-00203-7-4 , p. 549.

predecessor	Office	successor
–––––	Bishop of Argyll 1192/1193 - about 1230	William