Several of the bishops of the diocese were men of note, and rendered important services during the War of Independence and in connection with the redemption of David II. from captivity, and, in consequence, obtained privileges to the town. The cathedral was also largely benefited by the Earl of Crawford, and received liberal grants from the Stewarts, Earls of Atholl. There is, however, little to be gathered from the accounts of the lives of the bishops regarding the history of the structure of the cathedral. Almost the only statement bearing on the subject is that the vicar of the parish of Lethnot, in fulfilment of his obligation, “delivered to Patrick, Bishop of Brechin (1354-84), a large white horse, and had also given a cart and horse to lead stones to the building of the belfry of the Church of Brechin in the time of Bishop Patrick.”[72] The gradual declension of the bishopric and the loss of the church property followed the usual course. A precept by James III., in 1463, states that, through the profligacy of the bishop and canons, the revenues of the cathedral had been greatly reduced by frequent alienations of its property, and, in consequence, steps were taken and some of the lands were restored, or an annual feu-duty paid for them. After the Reformation, Alexander Campbell was bishop from 1566 to 1610. By a grant in his favour he was empowered to sell, for his own benefit, all revenues and properties belonging to the see then vacant, or which might become vacant. Of this power the bishop freely availed himself, both for his own interest and also for the benefit of his powerful patron, the Earl of Argyll. His example was speedily followed by the archdeacon, chancellor, and presbyters, who, on various pretexts, disposed of their houses and lands. By these means the property of the cathedral was lost to the church and passed into the hands of laymen. The cathedral continued to be used after the Reformation for Protestant worship, and, according to Mr. Black, the edifice was little interfered with till 1806. Before that period he describes it as a handsome Gothic building, consisting of a nave with two aisles, and a transept formed by an extension of these aisles to the north and south. Mr. Black also states that there is no appearance of there ever having been any pillars or arches in the transepts, and questions whether the choir was ever finished, or if there was anything more than a lady chapel. The appearance of the cathedral in the end of last century is shown in Grose’s view.