(This Month's Feature)
(This Month's Feature)
The preeminent events of the 16th Century were centered around the coming Protestant Reformation. Wishart, Knox and many other Protestant preachers were working in the Highlands and many political, clan and regional disputes were resolved along Protestant or Catholic lines. James V, having alienated many of his nobles and distrusting them, as he had Argyll and the island chiefs, turned to the Catholic clergy for support. This proved to be his undoing because the policy they advised was contrary to the popular will. As demonstrated by the final blow of his shameful defeat at Solway Moss, James’ support was lukewarm.
Lord Lovat, chief of Clan Fraser, who had prior information of Clanranald’s intentions against his grandchild, Alasdair Allanson’s legitimate heir, Ranald Galda, had already marched to Caisteal Tioram, taken lands there, and given them to Ranald Galda. In retaliation, Clanranald, with help from MacDonald of Keppoch and Clan Cameron, invaded Lovat’s districts of Abertarf and Stratherrick, and Huntley’s lands of Urquhart and Glenmoriston. Huntley, with a large force, drove Cineal ua Dhomhnuil back, advancing as far as Inverlochy at the head of Loch Lorn before returning to his own territory. Ranald suffered the same fate as his father four years later.
Donald Gorm’s son, "Dusky" Donald "Gorm" (literally "the blue"), 6th of Sleate, probably died in exile in England about this time, while seeking an alliance with the Tudor king against their common enemy, Scotland. There is a well known tale (claimed by other clans about their own chiefs, but most appropriate in the case of this, the greatest of clans) that when Donald Gorm was in London at this time he was asked to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet and placed rather too near the wrong side of the salt, as if he were a simple squire. Halfway through the banquet, someone told his host that he was in fact a great prince in his own country, at that very moment negotiating a treaty with King Henry VIII. The anxious mayor immediately sent a message asking Donald Gorm to come and sit at his right hand. The reply is famous: "Tell the Lord Mayor not to be fashing himself. Wherever MacDonald is sitting, that is the head of the table."
James, distraught at the losses of two infant sons and defeat in war, returned to Falkland. He suffered from a re-occurring nightmare in which a man he had caused to be put to death was cutting off his arms and threatening to return to take his head. The strains had undermined his strength and he died December 14, 1542, at age thirty, leaving a widow, his second wife, Mary of Guise, and as his heir, the infant Mary, Queen of Scots. With an anguished sigh he remarked "It cam wie a lass, it’ll gang wie a lass," meaning that the crown had come to the Stuarts via a "lass" when Marjorie, Robert the Bruce’s daughter, had wed a Stuart. It would go with another lass, his newborn daughter, Mary. With that, the king turned to the wall and died.
James Hamilton, the Earl of Arran, who had Protestant leanings, became regent for the infant Mary. He promptly released the imprisoned island chiefs so as to counteract the power of Argyll, but soon found it necessary to align himself with Argyll against another contender, Lennox. John Moidartach, who was later acknowledged as 8th of Clanranald, Donald Dubh MacDonald, MacKay of Strathnaver, MacLeod of Lewis and Alexander of Glengarry were among those released, unconquered and seeking revenge.
The feud with the Frasers ended when John Moidartach, 6th of Clanranald, gathered forces to oppose Ranald Galda MacRuairidh, known for his cruelty, who, with the Frasers to whom he had been fostered, had occupied Clanranald’s Castle Toiram during John’s imprisonment. Clanranald’s allies included his kinsmen of Ardnamurchan, Glengarry, Keppoch, Knoidart and Morar. The Frasers were a Norman family who came to Scotland in the 12th Century during the reign of William The Lion and were known, like the Campbells, as supporters of the crown. By 1279, Simon Fraser, 3rd Lord Lovat, had been royal treasurer, custodian of Edinburgh Castle and was said to have been closer to King Alexander III than any other Scot. Ranald Galda fled to his foster father, Chief of Clan Fraser, but John and his men caught up with him at Kinlochlochy, called"Blár-na-Leine" (lit. field-of-shirts), in July, 1544. It was so named because they cast off their plaids prior to the battle and fought with their shirts knotted between their legs, a Highland tradition in hot weather. Ranald Galda was killed in the battle and Clanranald was revenged on the vassals of Huntley. The battle was so fierce that only five Frasers and eight MacDonalds survived. It was the greatest defeat that the Frasers ever sustained. The titles and estates of John Moidartach as Captain of Clanranald were secured to him and his descendants, even though Huntley soon returned to Lochaber with an army and forced John to retire to The Isles, where he remained for some time. The queen regent pardoned John and his supporters in 1555. He died in 1584.
Meanwhile, Donald Dubh, son of Oengus Ogh, presumptive 11th Lord of The Isles and grandson of John, confirmed 10th Lord of The Isles, was received with enthusiasm by all the insular chiefs. In 1545, after signing a treaty at Eilean Charma, a secluded islet in Loch Teachduis off Loch Sunart in Morvern, he was proclaimed "Lord of The Isles," and, with their assistance, prepared to expel Argyll and Huntley from his patrimony. Almost all the Hebridean clans united in this last effort to restore their home rule.
In Ireland, James, 6th of Dun Naibhig, neutral at heart anyway, was engaged to Argyll’s sister Agnes and, understanding the political realities of the situation, was the only Scottish MacDonald chieftain not to join Donald Dubh’s rising. Argyll had the ability to seize Kintyre whenever he chose, and MacDonnell, with most of his forces needed in Ireland, could not risk opposing him. His younger brother, Oengus Uaibhreach, wasn’t so cautious however, declaring in support of Donald Dubh. To make matters worse, while James of Dun Naibhig was occupied in Ireland, Lennox invaded Kintyre "with fire and sword." Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, who had also sought the Scottish regency upon James V's death, was consequently the enemy both of Arran and of Argyll. Lennox had negotiated on behalf of Henry VIII with the island chiefs and the final result was a MacDonald, Lennox, English alliance opposed by a Hamilton, Argyll pact supporting the infant Mary Queen of Scots. In exchange for English gold, Donald Dubh offered to swear allegiance to Henry and to make his 4,000 men and 200 galleys available to Lennox. Henry also offered to supplement Lennox’ and MacDonald’s army with at least 1,500 troops under the Earl of Ormonde.
Each of the island chiefs independently was far more powerful than he would be under the immediate control of the Lord of The Isles, so that their loyalty in supporting the rising was against their own interest and all the more noble for it. With 1800 men, Donald Dubh invaded Argyll’s territory, killing many of Argyll’s vassals and plundering many cattle. Initially, he was supported by the Earl of Lennox, who brought supplies from the English and invaded the islands of Arran and Bute. MacDonald was therefore able to control The Isles. But Lennox, along with the earls of Angus, Glencairn and Cassillis were compelled to yield to the regent’s party, now dominated by Catholic Archbishop Beaton and, in June 1545, a proclamation was issued by the Regent Arran and his privy council against "Donald, alleging himself of The Isles, and other Highland men, his partakers." Besieged by the Scottish crown and betrayed by the Scottish Catholic Church, the islanders undertook to obtain aid from Protestant England. On July 23, 1545, a commission was granted by "Donald, Lord of The Isles and Earl of Ross," of whom seventeen are named:
". . . with advice and consent of our Barons and Council of The Isles: 'that is to say Hector MacLean, Lord of Duart; John mac Alasdair, Captain of Clanranald; Rorie MacLeod of Lewis; Alexander MacLeod of Dunvegan; Murdoch MacLaine of Lochbuie; Angus MacDonell, brother germain to James MacDonell of Isla; Allan MacLean of Torloisk, brother germain to the Lord MacLean; Archibald MacDonald, Captain of Clan Uisdean; Alexander MacIain of Ardnamurchan; John MacLean of Coll; Gilleonan MacNeil of Barra; Ewen MacKinnon of Strathairdale; JohnMacQuarie of Ulva; John MacLean of Ardgour; Alexander Ranaldson of Glengarry; Angus Ranaldson of Knoydart; Donald MacLean of Kingairloch"
Two commissioners were sent by the Earl of Lennox to treat with Henry VIII, who was amenable to the treaty. Consequently, on the 5th of August, the Lord and barons of The Isles went to Knockfergus (Carrickfergus) in Ireland, with a force of 4,000 men and 180 galleys, where they took the oath of allegiance to the King of England. Another 4,000 men at arms were left to guard and defend The Isles in their absence. Donald’s commissioners then proceeded to the English court with letters from him both to King Henry and his privy council; by one of which it appears that the Lord of The Isles had already received from Henry the sum of one thousand crowns, and the promise of an annual pension of two thousand.
The fatal flaw in MacDonald’s alliance was that each of the three parties had different, mutually exclusive objectives. Lennox wanted to be regent and control the Scottish crown. MacDonald wanted to reassert the ancient independence of The Isles. Henry wanted to subjugate Scotland. In effect, each agreed to take a third of a loaf (but only for the time being). Donald and his forces soon returned to Scotland, where Lennox was to invade the north while Donald Dubh undertook to conquer "the tane half." But Lennox was late and Donald’s clansmen became discouraged. Seriously threatened with superior forces, Donald withdrew into The Isles. Finally, a ship arrived with the promised English gold to pay additional troops, but MacLean of Duart, charged with its distribution, was accused of misappropriating part of it for himself. The resulting quarrels between the chiefs broke up their confederacy. Lennox’ eventual attempt against Dunbarton came to nothing and Donald Dubh then went back to Ireland with him. There the gallantly tenacious Donald Dubh MacDonald, whose health was probably fragile after his long years of imprisonment, died after "a fever of five nights" at Drogheda, where Lennox saw to it that this last white hope of the Hebrides had the state funeral due to him as chief of the greatest of all the clans.
With him terminated the direct feudal line of the Lords of The Isles. The feudal hopes of a descendant of Somhairle again governing The Isles were now in the descendants of Ian Mhór and of his grandfather’s younger brother Uisdein, Chief of the MacDonalds of Sleate. But from this time the race of Conn, unable to regain their former power and consequence, were divided into various branches and rendered impotent to project united political or military strength by the jealousy, ambition and rivalry they displayed toward each other. There were still hundreds, if not thousands, of direct male descendants of Somhairle mac Gillebruide in the royal derbfhine, available to be chief, but the chiefs had forgotten their roots, their tradition and their loyalty. The contemporary MacMhuirich bard, "Giolla Colum mac an Ollaimh," Dean of Lismore and probable author of "Leabhar Dearg Nam Clanranald," declared: "Tyrants suffered a strong blast from the wise, strong tribe, though now they are unhonoured;
Ni h-eibhneas gan Cineal Domhnuil. Ni comhnairt bheith ‘ne n-eagmhais!"
(There is no joy without Clan Donald. There is no strength to be without them!)
Various clans occupied the extensive territories which had formerly acknowledged the lords of The Isles. Some were clans which, although dependents of the MacDonalds, were not of the line of Somhairle and, with the exception of the MacLeods, MacLeans, and a few others, strenuously opposed the restoration of the family of The Isles since that would work against their own interest. Others were of the same origin as the family of The Isles but, having branched off prior to the time of John of the Isles in the reign of David II, they now appeared as separate clans. These included the MacAlisters, the MacIains of Ardnamurchan and others. Without unity or leadership, the thousands of adherents who still felt loyalty to Cineal ua Dhomhnuil had much less influence on the great events of the coming century. Many of them, following the forfeiture of the lordship of The Isles in 1493, had left the Highlands for Ireland, including many chieftains. Alexander of Glengarry died in 1560, the same year that saw the beginning of the Protestant Revolution, and was succeeded by his son Angus. The new chief was apparently politically astute, and was able to use the influence of his father-in-law, the Laird of Grant, to regain his ancestral estates. A charter was granted by James VI in July 1574.
In 1567, Iona was turned into a bishop’s "seat" with John Carswell named as bishop on Argyll’s recommendation. Campbell built him a grand new residence between Loch Awe and Kilmartin Glen which he called Carnasserie Castle. Carswell’s daughter married a Neil Campbell, so that upon the death of the bishop, castle, bishopric and all reverted to the Campbells. The revenues from Iona provided ample funds for the purpose. The abbey of Saddell, long patronized by the MacDonalds, was closed and its’ revenues diverted to the bishopric of Argyll as well, while the dressed stones of Saddell Abbey were stolen by the Campbells to be used in the construction of the stables of their new tower house at Saddell.
A superficial peace descended on the Highlands and Isles, while some conspired to restore the lordship and others to replace it. Following the seizure of Dun Tulm by the crown, Donald Gormson of Sleate had returned to Sleate, residing once again at Dun Sgáthaich. Records show that both Dun Sgáthaich and Caisteal Chamuis were occupied when Donald signed a writ at "Dounscheiche" on January 16, 1572. Some years later, in about 1585, "Uisdein an Cléireach mac Gilleasbuig Dubh" (Hugh the Clerk, son of Dark Archibald), who had become a vengeful outlaw against his own clan, was sealed up in one of the underground vaults at Dun Tulm and left to die an agonizing death.
Gilleasbuig, 7th of Dun Naibhig & The Glens and 14th Lord of The Isles, died childless in Islay in 1569 after only four years as "An MacDhomhnuil." He was succeeded by his brother Angus, 8th of Dun Naibhig & The Glens and 15th Lord of The Isles, too young and naive to be faced with the defense of his charge from Lachlan Mhór MacLean of Duart; from Gilleasbuig Campbell, Earl of Argyll and from Campbell of Cawdor, each of whom was casting covetous eyes on Islay. Nor was there any possible appeal to the crown. Scotland was suffering another anarchical regency.
In 1581, a feud began between MacDonell of Glengarry and Colin MacKenzie of Kintail which resulted in the loss to the Glengarrys of Lochalsh, Lochcarron, and other lands. On August 17, 1596, Donald Gorm Mhór of Sleate received a five year lease of Trotternish from the crown. Donald MacAngus of Glengarry died in 1603, leaving three sons, Angus MacDonell, Alexander MacDonell, and Donald MacDonell of Scothouse. On January 11, 1613, for some unknown reason, Sir Rory MacLeod was granted a charter of the MacDonald lands of Trotternish, Sleate and North Uist. That these were the most significant events regarding the MacDonalds at this critical point in Scottish history, demonstrates how the clans had lost position in the social structure of the country. While chiefs of ancient clans squabbled over their possessions, Sasunnaich, tradesmen and foreigners set the course of the nation. The Highlands and Isles had little influence on these events. With MacDonald of Sleate nominally supporting the Scottish crown, MacDonald power was now focused in Ireland. The reigns of Mary and James VI, the adoption of the Westminster Confession of Faith and the unification of the crowns of Scotland and England, all took place with no great Gaelic chief contesting the power of the sovereign as in previous eras.
The carrion eaters now despoiled the bones of the Kingdom of The Isles. Without reiving to supplement their economy, adversity was so prevalent that it is said that the feuding MacDonalds and MacLeods in Skye were reduced to eating dogs and cats in the 1590s. But after their lords were gone from Islay, the tradition of Gaelic art and folklore remained, as it does to this day. The seal women still crooned in the skerries, water sprites and kelpies worked mischief in the tarns, mermaids bathed in the creeks and the seven great Hags still guarded The Isles of the Gael, while the MacDonalds still held sway, only a few miles away, in the glens of Antrim. And it is still told in Islay that another "MacDhomhnuil," Donald Gruamach, lived about this time. He is said to have sworn a vow to come back every hundred years after his death, just to keep an eye on things.
Book Two, "The Reformation," is nearly complete, while Book Three, "The New World," Book Four, "The Noble Folly Of The Confederacy" and Book Five, "My Journey," are well underway. They will be presented in order, in this or a similar format, the Good Lord willing, as soon as I have solved the production problems caused by Microsoft having discontinued support of this website software, and by AT&T having almost doubled their webhosting fees, while cutting service, all in the interest of profit for stockholders, at the expense of customers.
In the meantime, thank you all for your letters and support. Don't forget to write.
PREVIOUS MONTHLY FEATURES:
DATE TITLE
May, 2005 Clan Donald Badges
June, 2005 The Irish Sagas
July, 2005 The Celtic Church
August, 2005 Saint Patrick
September, 2005 The Celts
October, 2005 The Settlement Of The Pretannic Isles
November, 2005 Celtic Society
December, 2005 The Druids And Celtic Culture
December, 2005 Christmas Special - The Gift Of The Fairy Piper
January, 2006 Celtic Trade And Industry
February, 2006 MacDonald Weapons And Dress
March, 2006 The Romans
April, 2006 The Romans' Invasion Of Alba
May, 2006 Roman Withdrawal And Post-Roman Britannia
June, 2006 The Honor Of The Children Of The Noble World Mighty
August, 2006 The Alban Gael
September, 2006 The Alban Gael - Part Two
October, 2006 MacDonald Heraldry
November, 2006 The Kingdom Of Dalriada
December, 2006 Christmas, 2006
December, 2006 The Evolution Of Dalriada
January, 2007 Cineal Cholla
February, 2007 Tartans Of The MacDonalds
March, 2007 The Golden Age Of Celtic Christianity
April, 2007 Colm Cille
May, 2007 Iona
June, 2007 The MacAlisters Of Loup
July, 2007 The Birth Of Scotland
August, 2007 Malcolm III "Ceann Mhór"
September, 2007 "An Nortmanni" (The Normans)
October, 2007 "Cineal Ian Mhór" (Clan Donald South)
November, 2007 "An Lachlannaich" (The Vikings)
December, 2007 Christmas, 2007
December, 2007 Clan Donald's Viking Roots
January, 2008 The End Of The Viking Era
February, 2008 Clanranald Of Garmòran
March, 2008 Clanranald, The '45 And The Clearances
April, 2008 Somhairle MacGillebruide
May, 2008 The Lords Of The Isles
June, 2008 Ireland's Invaders
July, 2008 Henry II And Strongbow
August, 2008 "Cineal Iain Abrach" (Glencoe)
September, 2008 The Massacre Of The MacDonalds Of Glencoe
October, 2008 The Children Of World Mighty Of The Isles
November, 2008 MacDonald Power
December, 2008 The Skirmish At Largs
January, 2009 The High Chief Of Clan Donald
February, 2009 The Decline Of The Celtic Church
March, 2009 Catholic Monasticism
April, 2009 Scottish Obstinacy
May, 2009 Irish Malaise
June, 2009 MacDonell Of Keppoch
July, 2009 MacDonell Of Keppoch - Part Two
August, 2009 Robert I, The Bruce, King Of Scots
September, 2009 The Bruce And William Wallace
October, 2009 Robert 1, King Of Scots
November, 2009 Building The Kingdom
December, 2009 The Battle Of Bannockburn
January, 2010 The Bruce's Adventures In Ireland
February, 2010 The MacDonald Era
March, 2010 The End Of MacDonald Sovereignty
April, 2010 Red Harlaw
May, 2010 Alasdair & The Struggle with James I
June, 2010 Iain, 10th of The Isles
July, 2010 The Foreigners In Green
August, 2010 The War Of The Roses In Ireland
September, 2010 The Demise Of The Lordship of The Isles
October, 2010 Young Angus, 11th of The Isles
November, 2010 Clan Campbell, The Black Clan
December, 2010 Clan Campbell,The Black Clan, Part Two
January, 2011 Rebellious Domhnallaich
February, 2011 The Tragic Tale Of Donald The Black
March, 2011 Flodden
April, 2011 The Last Heirs Of The Isles
An unknown Scots bard
And so ends:
Within thy bounds, Queen of the Hebrides!
Razed is each castle, ruined is each fort,
They with their furious feuds are now at rest:
Their galleys traverse not the island seas;
Are seen no more at great MacDonald’s court;
The chiefs and chieftains of the Isles and west
Where tread of warriors oft had shook the ground.
Stark silence hovers round the islet’s shore
And weeds and nettles flourish on the floor;
Their palace waste! while sadness sits around;
Where the proud princes of the Isles were crowned: -
The bard is dumb, the harper plays no more
To joyous feasts and dances as of yore:
The Halls of Finlagan no longer sound
Abandoned Croft, Isle of Jura
Carnasserie Castle, Knapdale
Loch Lomond and The Lands of Lennox
The highest mountain in Ardgour, at 885 meters (2,904 feet), it guards the head of Loch Sunart.
Garbh Bheinn (Rugged Mountain), Ardgour
Falkland Palace, Cupar, Fife
The Church of Saint Mary & Saint Finnan, Glen Finnan, Moidart
