Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Panter, David

671627Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 43 — Panter, David1895George Gregory Smith

PANTER, DAVID (d. 1558), bishop of Ross, son of David Panter, who was brother of Patrick Panter [q. v.] His mother was Margaret Crichtoun, widow countess of Rothes. He first appears as vicar of Carstairs, and subsequently as prior of St. Mary's in Galloway, and as commendator of the abbey of Cambuskenneth. He was in France in February 1541–2 on some unknown errand, and on 31 March 1543 was sent thither with Sir John Campbell of Lundie on a mission to the French king. He had already acted for some time as secretary to James V. He returned in June with John Hamilton, abbot of Paisley, in time to assist Cardinal Beaton's opposition to the English matrimonial schemes of the English court. The letters of the English ambassadors, preserved in Sadler's 'Papers,' and Buchanan's bitter criticism testify to the strength of his influence on behalf of France. In December he was ordered by the governor to deliver back, according to custom, the badge of knighthood of the Golden Fleece to the Emperor Charles V. In 1545 he was elected bishop of Ross, and in May of that year was sent on a mission to the king of France, the emperor, and Mary of Hungary. He was abroad for seven years. On his return he received consecration to his bishopric at Jedburgh, before a brilliant assembly of the Scots nobles. He died, according to Holinshed, at Stirling on 1 Oct. 1558, and was succeeded in the bishopric by Henry Sinclair [q. v.] Some of his official letters are printed in Ruddiman's 'Epistolæ,' 1724, vol. ii.

[Preface to vol. ii. of Ruddiman's Epistolæ; Lesley's History; Holinshed's Chronicles; Buchanan's History; Sadler Papers, i. 221 et seq.; Keith's Catalogue of Bishops.]

G. G. S.

Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.214
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line

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184 i 14 Panter, David: after 1558 insert and was succeeded in the bishopric by Henry Sinclair [q. v.]