Before he became a cardinal, he was sent by Pope Lucius III as his representative to Scotland to attempt to resolve a dispute over episcopal elections, involving the king.

[6] Pope Lucius III named him a subdeacon of the Holy Roman Church, and, in 1181, sent him to Scotland ex parte papae to bring about a reconciliation between William the Lion and Bishop Joannes of Saint Andrews.

[7] Joannes had been elected by the chapter of St. Andrews, but without the knowledge or consent of the king, who intruded his own chaplain, Hugh, as the bishop instead.

[9] Rolandus was named a cardinal deacon at Verona on 15 March 1185 by Pope Lucius III, and assigned the deaconry of S. Maria in Porticu.

[14] The successful candidate was Humbertus Crivelli, the Archbishop of Milan and Cardinal of S. Lorenzo in Damaso, " a violent and unyielding spirit, and a strong opponent of Frederick (Barbarossa)," in the words of Ferdinand Gregorovius.

[18] Rolandus and Cardinal Soffredus of S. Maria in Via lata, with the authority of Pope Urban III and with his mandate, defined the parish boundaries between the churches of S. Paolo and S. Vitale in Verona on 16 August 1186.

[23] His successor as Cardinal deacon of S. Maria in Porticu, Gregorius de S. Apostolo, subscribed as early as 12 April 1188.