Alexander Stewart (d. 1371)

Alexander Stewart
Bishop of Ross
Church	Roman Catholic Church
See	Diocese of Ross
In office	1350–1371
Predecessor	Roger
Successor	Alexander de Kylwos
Orders
Consecration	3 November 1350 × 9 March 1351
Personal details
Born	unknown unknown
Died	4 February 1371 – 9 May 1371
Previous post	Archdeacon of Ross (× 1343–1350)

Alexander Stewart (died 1371) was a 14th-century Scottish bishop. Probably from Menteith, he appears in the sources from the first half of the 1340s, possessing a university degree and holding the position of Archdeacon of Ross. He was active at the papal curia in the second half of the decade as a papal chaplain and administrator, before being provided as Bishop of Ross in 1350, a position he held until his death in 1371.

Alexander Stewart was from the diocese of Dunblane, a diocese which embraced the earldom of Strathearn and the earldom of Menteith; as the Stewart family were better established in Menteith than Strathearn, it is likely that Alexander came from Menteith. It is notable that Stewart's arms, as well as having the Stewart chequy, included the three lion rampants which denoted the earls of Ross, suggesting some connection between Alexander Stewart and the Ross family.

Before Stewart's career as a prelate, he spent many years at university. He held a Licentiate in Decrees (i.e. Canon law) by July 1343, and by March 1348 was being styled Magister ("Master"), indicating completion a Master's degree, though the accuracy of this title is not certain because he is only styled "Master" on one occasion.

He is found as Archdeacon of Ross on 22 July 1343, a position he had probably held for many years previously; it is probable that he was helped into this position by the Bishop of Ross, Roger, also from the diocese of Dunblane.

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