History and genealogy of the family of Wauchope of Niddrie-Merschell

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appointed " visitator " of all the Colleges, an extraordinary office, but which was
deemed necessary, from the spread of the Reformed religion.
His abilities having attracted the notice of the Pope, he was called to Rome
about the year 1535 by Paul III., who employed him as his legate to the
Emperor of Germany and the King of France, in both of which commissions he
exhibited the highest qualifications as an ambassador. Some time afterwards he
was promoted to the Archbishopric of Armagh in Ireland. On proceeding there
he found the natives in great ignorance, and he laboured with incredible pains
for their instruction. Being ignorant of the Irish tongue himself, he employed an
interpreter, and, travelling through his diocese, often preached four or five times
a-week. The Pope finding it necessary, from the spread of a reforming spirit
everywhere, to assemble a General Council, called him to Rome, that he might
benefit by his advice. The wars and troubles in France had hindered such
a convocation, but finding that the Emperor and the King of France were re-
solved to call one, for reforming the abuses complained of by Luther, the Pope
anticipated them, by issuing a Bull for a general meeting at Trent, on the 15th
March, 1544.
Our prelate attended the preliminary meeting of Theologues at Paris, where
it was proposed to re-establish what is called the Pragmatic Sanction, but he
opposed it, and no conclusion having been come to, they resolved to abide by the
twenty-five articles of doctrine which had been agreed to at the Sorbonne two
years before.
Archbishop Wauchope was present during the entire sitting of the Council
of Trent, which continued till the year 1551 ; and not only took part in the pro-
ceedings, but wrote a full account of them. He barely outlived this harassing
and exciting labour, as he died at Paris on his way home immediately afterwards.
His death is thus recorded in Balfour's Annals, 1551 : — "At this same tyme,
Robert Wauchope, archbis: of Armach, in Ireland, returns from Rome, and deyes
at Paris, the 19 day of November, this same zeire." Ware, in his "History of
the Bishops of Armagh," says " he died at Paris, in a convent of Jesuites, the tenth
of November, 1551." It is possible that the figure 9 in Balfour may be a mis-
print.
Mackenzie quotes numerous testimonies of the admiration in which the
Archbishop was held. Lesly says, " such was his judgment in secular affairs,
that few of his age came near him," and in his capacity as legate, he acquitted
" himself so well that every one admired his wit, judgment, and experience."
Sir James Ware, speaking of him in a similar strain, and alluding, like
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