[3] He was minister of Leslie before translating to North Leith Parish Church in 1636 (being formally presented by King Charles I in 1641).
[4] He was nominated for the Archbishopric by King Charles II and consecrated in London on 15 December 1661.
The university's historian James Coutts refers to him as "a man of boisterous mirth and careless life", but quotes the recollection of Principal Robert Baillie that Fairfoul preached "soberly and well" on his first Sunday in the city.
The earl, the archbishop and their entourage dined at the university the day after this first sermon, and the meal is said to have cost more than £200.
The Archbishop was heavily involved in energetic attempts by the Episcopalian authorities to root out Covenanters and other dissenters.