As Principal Private Secretary to Cardinal David Beaton, Archbishop of St. Andrews,[2] he successfully prosecuted many heretics, who were burnt at the stake, John Knox testifying to his extreme cruelty.
Beaton was eventually murdered by the mob,[3] but Lauder escaped and was later Private Secretary to Archbishop Hamilton (hanged April 1571).
Lauder was a licentiate 'in Pedagogio' (the science of learning) at the University of St Andrews in 1508, and in a Decree Arbitral, dated at St. Andrews on 16 October 1518, he thus designates himself: "Ego sacris Apostolica et Imperiali auctoritatibus notarius, ac in officio Scriptori archivii Romane Curie matriculatus ac descriptus."
"John Lauder, Archdeacon of Teviotdale", had a personal armorial seal, noted from a document in 1539 as: a shield bearing arms:- 1st & 4th: Three piles (charged with as many annulets?
Although the cause had been committed to Laurence, Cardinal Campegio, he, nevertheless, resolved to despatch a special nuncio to Scotland to settle it, the archbishop until his arrival being detained in custody without prejudice to his spiritual jurisdiction, dated at Marseilles, 31 October 1533.
The prosecution of Norman Gourlay (sometimes spelt Gowrlay), described as vicar of Dollar, in Perthshire and David Stratton, a brother of the Laird of Lauriston, both of whom were burnt at the stake in August 1534, was carried out by Lauder.
Calderwood also mentions the "Trial of Adam Wallace, 1550.........at the farther end of the chancellarie wall (in the church of the Blacke Friars in Edinburgh), in the pulpit, was placed Mr. Johne Lawder, Parson of Marbottle Morebattle [- see note above, this fell within his remit as Archdeacon of Teviotdale], accuser, cled in a surplice, and a reid hood."
A Papal confirmation was made by John Lauder, archdeacon of Teviotdale, and John Coldane, Provost of Methven, and John Guillermi, Provost of Seton, of a Feu Charter by Andrew, abbot of Melrose, to Arthur Sinclare of the lands of Lessuden except the lands of Newtoun, Earlston, Maxpeffill, Cammestoun and Plewland, with the mill of Newtoun and thirlage of Newtoun, Lessuden, Earlston, Cammestone, Maxpeffill, Murehouslaw and Plewland except the fishings on the Tuede (Tweed) belonging to said lands of Lessuden, dated 26 February 1541.
An instrument upon the receipt by Robert Lawder of Bass of £80 Scots in redemption of the lands of Kylpallet, constabulary of Haddington and shire of Edinburgh, wadset to him by John Lord Hay of Yester; Done at the instance of the said Lord's procurator, Mr. Thomas Hay, provost of Bothanis Abbey St Bathans, place of Biel, 2 p.m., 21 March 1542.