Whilst carrying out research into the connection between the medieval barony and parish church of Rothes in Morayshire and the ancient family of Pollok, a question arose regarding one family member in particular - Helya de Partik. It was regularly asserted by a number of writers that Helya (Elias), who lived in the latter half of the 12th Century, had been ordained into Holy Orders and had eventually risen to the position of a Canon of Glasgow Cathedral with a prebend.
It has always been suggested that the Pollok family resulted from a Norman called Fulbert who had found favour with Walter FitzAlan, the Royal dapifer. Walter gave the substantial barony of Nether Pollok to Fulbert who, in turn, passed it on to his eldest son Peter, with the result that he became known as Peter de Pollok. Peter is said to have had two brothers - Helya (Elias) and Robert. At a date which has yet to be determined, Peter de Pollok also obtained the considerable barony of Rothes in Morayshire. Whether he inherited this property from his father, or as the direct result of a gift from the King, or Walter FitzAlan, is also, as yet unknown.
The research which is summarized in the following paper was aimed at determining the truth, or otherwise, of Helya's possession of a Gasgow canonry.
