 Brown, as "orator regis" ("the king's priest"), had been sent to Rome by King James III of Scotland to press the claims of George Carmichael to the bishopric of Glasgow.According to Alexander Myln, in his 16th century "Vitae Dunkeldensis ecclesiae episcoporum" ("Lives of the Bishops of Dunkeld"), Brown used the opportunity to become friendly with many of the cardinals, including Roderick Borgia, papal vice-chancellor and Bishop of Porto, the future Pope Alexander VI.Myln alleges that it was Borgia's influence that secured Brown's provision and consecration, even though, he alleges, it was against the will of the Scottish king.