He was provided to the bishopric upon the resignation of his cousin by Pope Pius II at the Apostolic see on 11 December 1461.
He had been consecrated by 21 July 1462, when he rendered an oath of fealty at Copenhagen to Christian I, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
He became tacksman, holding the administration of Orkney and Shetland from 27 August 1472 until 28 July 1478, continuing the role entrusted to him earlier by King Christian.
On 12 February 1477, following the death of David Stewart, he was rewarded for his extensive services by attaining translation to the Bishopric of Moray.
On 21 March, his proctors at Rome, William and John of Paris, paid 642 gold florins and 43 shillings, presumably as payment for the new bishopric.