He is best remembered as the unfortunate clergyman struck on the head by a stool thrown by Jenny Geddes after reading from the English Book of Common Prayer.

He was born in the Canongate district of Edinburgh the son of John Hannay (d.1604) a bailie and burgess, and his second wife Maus Smyth.

This symbolic ceremony (Charles had been king for 8 years) apparently partly rebuilt missing elements of the Abbey to make it look appropriate for this regal function.

Probably through this royal connection it was Charles I himself who presented Hannay to Edinburgh Town Council, twice in 1634, for the role of Dean of St Giles.

He was equipped with a new Edinburgh publishing by the King's official printer, Robert Young, fresh off the press: the Scottish Book of Common Prayer.

The service began with three prayers led by Rev Patrick Henderson from the uncontroversial Book of Common Order.

[3] In April 1638 Hannay was one of three senior ministers who met the Bishops of Edinburgh, Dunblane and Argyll to discuss the way forward.

[3] At the Restoration, and the return of a King to the throne (Charles II), his children were granted a pension, reflecting Hannay's continued Royalist support.