Here is a photograph of the hunting tartan of the Lords of Islay.
Showing posts with label Lord of Islay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord of Islay. Show all posts
Thursday, April 16, 2009
High Cross of Kildalton
Inside the grounds of the roofless Kildalton Church you will find Islay's most famous treasure, the 9th century High Cross of Kildalton, hewn from a single slab of local stone and a masterpiece of stone carving.
The style of the Cross is closely related to those found on Iona and must have been carved on Islay by a stonemason from Iona. This style of cross with a ring around the top cross is sometimes known as a Celtic Cross or High Cross and strengthens the stone arms of the cross.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Donald, son of Ranald MacSomerled
The history of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles by Alexander Mackenzie states that there were two families that descended from Reginald, King of Isla; that of his son Donald,and that of Ruari, also known as Roderick, which later descendants called themselves Macruari.
The Irish historians record them as being very warlike, and not prone to seek peace.Donald inherited the lordship of South Kintyre, Isla and some other islands. Roderick received North Kintyre, Bute and the lands of Garmoran, from Ardnamurchan to Glenelg, which had formerly been the possessions of his uncle, Angus MacSomerled. The Isles and other possessions of Somerled had been first divided amongst his three sons, then redistributed between the two surviving sons Dugall and Ranald and now had been divided a third time. The Isle of Bute was originally inherited by Somerled's son Angus, but he died and his sons left no male heirs, so the island was taken by Ranald and it thus passed to his son Ruarie, who was also called Roderick.
One of Angus' sons left a daughter named Jane, who married Alexander, the son of Walter the High Steward of Scotland. Alexander claimed Bute in her right and the dispute was eventually settled by Ruari being expelled from Bute, which was immediately seized by the Scots. Ruari's lineage ceased in the male line about three generations later, continued by a female named Amie, who married John of Isla, who was a great grandson of Donald of Isla. This in effect brought two lines of descent into one descent from the House of Somerled.
Alexander II inherited the throne of Scotland in 1214 and almost immediately, the MacWilliams and MacHeaths rose in a rebellion and they were helped by the grandsons of Somerled. Peace was regained by 1221, and Alexander then proceeded to attack Argyll intending to conquer it and bring the house of Somerled into subjection. Fate was not entirely on Alexander's side. A storm drove his fleet back and winter was soon approaching, so they abandoned their goal temporarily. The next year Alexander started out on a new expedition. It appears from the accounts of John of Fordun and Wyntoun, that he was successful in removing some of the descendants of Somerled from their lands, forcing them to take refuge in Galloway or with others who were kin to them. Many of them submitted and gave large sums of money and hostages to ensure their future allegiance. If there were indeed a conquest of Argyll in 1222, it does not seem to have affected Donald and his sons. Alexander had caused diplomatic problems with the king of Norway, who considered part. But, again in 1249, Alexander II took a large force to the islands again, hoping to use to his advantage the recent death of the king of Norway.
He sailed toward Kintyre expecting Donald of Isla to see him and be in awe of such a large fleet. But Alexander was mistaken and Donald did not give up. Alexander sought alliance with Ewin of Lorn, but was eventually thwarted from his goal by death. He died at the age of 52 without having conquered Donald and his land. Ewin of Lorn also took advantage of the death of the king of Norway and attacked the Isle of Man and declared himself its king. Haco the King of Norway received word of this invasion by Ewin or Lorn and asked for the aid of Donald of Isla and hsi brother Roderick. They promplty gave Haco their aid, and with the help of the men of Man, expelled Ewin, who took refuge in his own lands. This aid rendered by Donald and Roderick formed an alliance between the ruling family of Isla and the Norwegian king.
Since Alexander II's successor, his son Alexander III was a child at the time of his death and Ewin of Lorn had been defeated, Donald of Isla had no more enemies to defeat and lived the remainder of his rule in relative peace. Although this does not mean he was not a violent man. It is said that he killed his uncle Dugall over a territorial dispute and that he beheaded a messenger that was sent from Alexander II demanding his allegiance. He also had his cousin Callum Aluinn put to death and his uncle Gillies banished to Ireland.
Apparently in his later years, he was filled with guilt over some of his deeds and made a pilgrimage to Rome, accompanied by seven priests. He made his confession to the Pope and received forgiveness from the church. He also gifted the church with lands as his father before him had done.
There is a legend that the Clan Donald takes its motto Air muir's tir or per mare oer terras from an incident Donald was involved in. He was supposedly in a contest with a rival clan for possession of land on Skye. It was decided that whoever put his hand on the shore first would win the land.At the last moment Donald's galley was overtaken and he was about to lose. He was so competitive that he cut off his own hand and flung it to shore and won the triumph. According to History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles, he died in 1289 at Shippinage and was buried at Icolumkill. But The clan Donald by Archibald MacDonald, states that this date is incorrect, because his son Angus was head of the family for many years before this.
Donald is the man whom all MacDonald's receive their name, possibly aided by the fact that fixed surnames began to be the custom in the Highlands at about this time. In other words, men prior to this time tended to be called by their father's name, which changed from generation to generation. But at this time, families began to take the name of the family leader at that time and to stick with it from there on out. Whereas a man named John who had a son named William, this son would previously have been called William Johnson and having a son of his own named Donald who would have called himself Donald Williamson; now the custom would be for William and his son Donald to bear the surname Johnson. The houses of the other branches of descent from Somerled would have been independent of each other and would have taken different surnames in order to avoid confusion.
Donald left two sons Angus Mor MacDonald and Alexander, who was said to be the ancestor of the MacAlisters of Loup, The Alexanders of Menstrie , Earls of Stirling. Angus being the eldest, succeeded his father. These sons were by his wife, who was a daughter of Walter, the High Steward of Scotland.
Sources:
Skye By Derek Cooper
History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles By Alexander Mackenzie
The Irish historians record them as being very warlike, and not prone to seek peace.Donald inherited the lordship of South Kintyre, Isla and some other islands. Roderick received North Kintyre, Bute and the lands of Garmoran, from Ardnamurchan to Glenelg, which had formerly been the possessions of his uncle, Angus MacSomerled. The Isles and other possessions of Somerled had been first divided amongst his three sons, then redistributed between the two surviving sons Dugall and Ranald and now had been divided a third time. The Isle of Bute was originally inherited by Somerled's son Angus, but he died and his sons left no male heirs, so the island was taken by Ranald and it thus passed to his son Ruarie, who was also called Roderick.
One of Angus' sons left a daughter named Jane, who married Alexander, the son of Walter the High Steward of Scotland. Alexander claimed Bute in her right and the dispute was eventually settled by Ruari being expelled from Bute, which was immediately seized by the Scots. Ruari's lineage ceased in the male line about three generations later, continued by a female named Amie, who married John of Isla, who was a great grandson of Donald of Isla. This in effect brought two lines of descent into one descent from the House of Somerled.
Alexander II inherited the throne of Scotland in 1214 and almost immediately, the MacWilliams and MacHeaths rose in a rebellion and they were helped by the grandsons of Somerled. Peace was regained by 1221, and Alexander then proceeded to attack Argyll intending to conquer it and bring the house of Somerled into subjection. Fate was not entirely on Alexander's side. A storm drove his fleet back and winter was soon approaching, so they abandoned their goal temporarily. The next year Alexander started out on a new expedition. It appears from the accounts of John of Fordun and Wyntoun, that he was successful in removing some of the descendants of Somerled from their lands, forcing them to take refuge in Galloway or with others who were kin to them. Many of them submitted and gave large sums of money and hostages to ensure their future allegiance. If there were indeed a conquest of Argyll in 1222, it does not seem to have affected Donald and his sons. Alexander had caused diplomatic problems with the king of Norway, who considered part. But, again in 1249, Alexander II took a large force to the islands again, hoping to use to his advantage the recent death of the king of Norway.
He sailed toward Kintyre expecting Donald of Isla to see him and be in awe of such a large fleet. But Alexander was mistaken and Donald did not give up. Alexander sought alliance with Ewin of Lorn, but was eventually thwarted from his goal by death. He died at the age of 52 without having conquered Donald and his land. Ewin of Lorn also took advantage of the death of the king of Norway and attacked the Isle of Man and declared himself its king. Haco the King of Norway received word of this invasion by Ewin or Lorn and asked for the aid of Donald of Isla and hsi brother Roderick. They promplty gave Haco their aid, and with the help of the men of Man, expelled Ewin, who took refuge in his own lands. This aid rendered by Donald and Roderick formed an alliance between the ruling family of Isla and the Norwegian king.
Since Alexander II's successor, his son Alexander III was a child at the time of his death and Ewin of Lorn had been defeated, Donald of Isla had no more enemies to defeat and lived the remainder of his rule in relative peace. Although this does not mean he was not a violent man. It is said that he killed his uncle Dugall over a territorial dispute and that he beheaded a messenger that was sent from Alexander II demanding his allegiance. He also had his cousin Callum Aluinn put to death and his uncle Gillies banished to Ireland.
Apparently in his later years, he was filled with guilt over some of his deeds and made a pilgrimage to Rome, accompanied by seven priests. He made his confession to the Pope and received forgiveness from the church. He also gifted the church with lands as his father before him had done.
There is a legend that the Clan Donald takes its motto Air muir's tir or per mare oer terras from an incident Donald was involved in. He was supposedly in a contest with a rival clan for possession of land on Skye. It was decided that whoever put his hand on the shore first would win the land.At the last moment Donald's galley was overtaken and he was about to lose. He was so competitive that he cut off his own hand and flung it to shore and won the triumph. According to History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles, he died in 1289 at Shippinage and was buried at Icolumkill. But The clan Donald by Archibald MacDonald, states that this date is incorrect, because his son Angus was head of the family for many years before this.
Donald is the man whom all MacDonald's receive their name, possibly aided by the fact that fixed surnames began to be the custom in the Highlands at about this time. In other words, men prior to this time tended to be called by their father's name, which changed from generation to generation. But at this time, families began to take the name of the family leader at that time and to stick with it from there on out. Whereas a man named John who had a son named William, this son would previously have been called William Johnson and having a son of his own named Donald who would have called himself Donald Williamson; now the custom would be for William and his son Donald to bear the surname Johnson. The houses of the other branches of descent from Somerled would have been independent of each other and would have taken different surnames in order to avoid confusion.
Donald left two sons Angus Mor MacDonald and Alexander, who was said to be the ancestor of the MacAlisters of Loup, The Alexanders of Menstrie , Earls of Stirling. Angus being the eldest, succeeded his father. These sons were by his wife, who was a daughter of Walter, the High Steward of Scotland.
Sources:
Skye By Derek Cooper
History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles By Alexander Mackenzie
Reginald or Ranald MacSomerled
In continuation of the history of Clan McDonald, originally Cholla,
I previously noted that Malcolm IV died in the year following Sumerled's assassination and that there were sons left to inherit his kingdom. Besides his sons, Ranald,Angus and Dugald, his nephews, sons of his wife Regnhilde's brother Godred, also believed they had a claim to at least the half of the kingdom which Sumerled had taken from Godred, the Isle of Mann. Malcolm IV was succeeded by his brother William the Lion, whom I also descend from. I sometimes find it interesting just how many of my ancestors hated each other.
In this case it seems that there was no open hostility, because during William the Lion's reign,there were no further efforts on his part to take possession of the kingdom Somerled left to his sons. And apparently, they did not try to attack the mainland either.
The territory left behind by Somerled extended from the Butt of Lewis to the southerly point of Man. After his death, his brother in law whom he had taken the Isle of Man from, returned to resume possession of it and the Northern Isles of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra and some lesser isles.
His son Ranald or Reginald inherited Kintyre and Isla, the lands of Clan Cholla, Dughall inherited Lorn, Mull, and Jura; Angus received Bute and a part of Arran, and the Rough bounds extending from Ardnamurchan to Glenelg. The remainder of the North Oithir from Glenelg to Lochbroom were given to the Lay Abbot of Applecross. These lands held by the three brothers were an independent principality, not held by Scotland and owing no allegiance to Norway.
Reginald drove his brother, Angus out of Arran and Bute and then followed Angus and his sons to Garmoran which was the northern possession of Angus in1192. They fought a battle and Angus was the victor. Eighteen years later, Angus and his three sons were killed by the men of Skye, which island was in the possession of the Norwegian King of Man and the Isles. These Norsemen most likely invaded Moidart, part of Angus' possessions. With their deaths, Reginald or Ranald and his son Roderick inherited his brothers lands. Some of the lands were also given to Ranald and Angus' other brother Dugall, but they continued to fight over the ownership of Mull for more than 100 years.
Ranald was recorded to have been a popular leader, "feared in war, but loved in peace". According to the History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles By Alexander Mackenzie Reginald or Ranald was the first called Lord of the Isles, whether he assumed the name or was given it by his followers is unclear. Both Ranald and his brother Dugall were called King of the Isles and their cousin Reginald, son of Godred was called King of Man and the Isles. It appears that the term king was used among the Norwegians not just to mean a supreme ruler, but to also mean a prince of royal blood or a magnate.
Archibald MacDonald says it is unclear which of Somerled's sons was the eldest, because at that time the law of primogeniture was not in effect in the isles. However, he does think that Dugall was the second son and as such would have been the natural choice to inherit his mother's right to the Isle of Man when the barons of Man rose against Godred in 1155. He seems to be justifiable of the opinion that Ranald was his father's successor to the domains of Oirthirghael. He inherited the lands that had been connected to their family and its seat, those of Kintyre and Isla, and presumably, the prestige that went with them. Archibald MacDonald also points to the fact that the historians of the time, give preferencial treatment to Ranald and his sons over those of Dugall.
Whichever view prevails concerning which son was the eldest, Reginald or Ranald is most likely the progenitor of the MacDonald Clan. Ranald died in 1207, the date is given in the Book of Clanranald. He married Fonia, who was the daughter of the Earl of Moray, who would have been close relation.The History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles, states that this was Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray.His father, Somerled's sister had married the Earl of Moray. They had three sons, Donald,Roderick, and Dugall. According to the Antiquities of Arran, by John MacArthur, the monastery of the Holy Isle was established on the Islet of Lamlash and was subject to the Cistercian monastery of Kintyre which his father Somerled had established and been buried in.
Sources:
The clan Donald By Archibald Macdonald
The Antiquities of Arran by John M'Arthur - 1861
History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles By Alexander Mackenzie
I previously noted that Malcolm IV died in the year following Sumerled's assassination and that there were sons left to inherit his kingdom. Besides his sons, Ranald,Angus and Dugald, his nephews, sons of his wife Regnhilde's brother Godred, also believed they had a claim to at least the half of the kingdom which Sumerled had taken from Godred, the Isle of Mann. Malcolm IV was succeeded by his brother William the Lion, whom I also descend from. I sometimes find it interesting just how many of my ancestors hated each other.
In this case it seems that there was no open hostility, because during William the Lion's reign,there were no further efforts on his part to take possession of the kingdom Somerled left to his sons. And apparently, they did not try to attack the mainland either.
The territory left behind by Somerled extended from the Butt of Lewis to the southerly point of Man. After his death, his brother in law whom he had taken the Isle of Man from, returned to resume possession of it and the Northern Isles of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra and some lesser isles.
His son Ranald or Reginald inherited Kintyre and Isla, the lands of Clan Cholla, Dughall inherited Lorn, Mull, and Jura; Angus received Bute and a part of Arran, and the Rough bounds extending from Ardnamurchan to Glenelg. The remainder of the North Oithir from Glenelg to Lochbroom were given to the Lay Abbot of Applecross. These lands held by the three brothers were an independent principality, not held by Scotland and owing no allegiance to Norway.
Reginald drove his brother, Angus out of Arran and Bute and then followed Angus and his sons to Garmoran which was the northern possession of Angus in1192. They fought a battle and Angus was the victor. Eighteen years later, Angus and his three sons were killed by the men of Skye, which island was in the possession of the Norwegian King of Man and the Isles. These Norsemen most likely invaded Moidart, part of Angus' possessions. With their deaths, Reginald or Ranald and his son Roderick inherited his brothers lands. Some of the lands were also given to Ranald and Angus' other brother Dugall, but they continued to fight over the ownership of Mull for more than 100 years.
Ranald was recorded to have been a popular leader, "feared in war, but loved in peace". According to the History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles By Alexander Mackenzie Reginald or Ranald was the first called Lord of the Isles, whether he assumed the name or was given it by his followers is unclear. Both Ranald and his brother Dugall were called King of the Isles and their cousin Reginald, son of Godred was called King of Man and the Isles. It appears that the term king was used among the Norwegians not just to mean a supreme ruler, but to also mean a prince of royal blood or a magnate.
Archibald MacDonald says it is unclear which of Somerled's sons was the eldest, because at that time the law of primogeniture was not in effect in the isles. However, he does think that Dugall was the second son and as such would have been the natural choice to inherit his mother's right to the Isle of Man when the barons of Man rose against Godred in 1155. He seems to be justifiable of the opinion that Ranald was his father's successor to the domains of Oirthirghael. He inherited the lands that had been connected to their family and its seat, those of Kintyre and Isla, and presumably, the prestige that went with them. Archibald MacDonald also points to the fact that the historians of the time, give preferencial treatment to Ranald and his sons over those of Dugall.
Whichever view prevails concerning which son was the eldest, Reginald or Ranald is most likely the progenitor of the MacDonald Clan. Ranald died in 1207, the date is given in the Book of Clanranald. He married Fonia, who was the daughter of the Earl of Moray, who would have been close relation.The History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles, states that this was Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray.His father, Somerled's sister had married the Earl of Moray. They had three sons, Donald,Roderick, and Dugall. According to the Antiquities of Arran, by John MacArthur, the monastery of the Holy Isle was established on the Islet of Lamlash and was subject to the Cistercian monastery of Kintyre which his father Somerled had established and been buried in.
Sources:
The clan Donald By Archibald Macdonald
The Antiquities of Arran by John M'Arthur - 1861
History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles By Alexander Mackenzie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
