history of the mackenzies-第12章

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Eddirachillis；　where　he　left　a　son　called　Henry；　of　whom　are　descended　a　race　yet　possessing　there；　　called　Sliochd　Ionraic；　or　Henry's　race。〃　　The　second　bastard　was　named　　Dugald　Deargshuileach；　〃from　his　red　eyes。〃　　From　him　descended　John　　Mackenzie；　Commissary…Depute　of　Ross；　afterwards　in　Cromarty；　Rev。　　Roderick　Mackenzie；　minister　of　Croy；　John　Mackenzie；　a　writer　in　　　Edinburgh；　and　　several　others　of　the　name。　　The　third　bastard　　was　named　Alexander；　and　from　him　descended　Clann　Mhurchaidh　Mhoir　in　　Ledgowan；　and　many　of　the　common　people　who　resided　in　the　Braes　of　　Ross。

Murdoch　had　another　son　Murdoch　Riach；　after　his　wife's　death；　by　a　daughter　of　the　Laird　of　Assynt；　also　illegitimate；　although　the　Laird　　of　Applecross　says　that　he　was　〃by　another　wife。〃　　This　Murdoch　retired　　to　Edderachillis　and　married　a　Sutherland　woman　there；　〃where；　setting　　up　an　independent　establishment；　he　became　formidable　in　checking　the　　Earl　of　Ross　in　his　excursions　against　his　clan；　till　he　was　killed　by　a　　Caithness　man　named　Budge　of　Toftingall。　　His　descendants　are　still　　styled　Clann　Mhuirich；　and　among　them　we　trace　Daniel　Mackenzie；　who　　arrived　at　the　rank　　of　Colonel　in　the　service　of　the　Statholder；　who　had　a　　son　Barnard；　who　was　Major　in　Seaforth's　regiment；　and　killed　at　the　　battle　of　Auldearn。　　He　too　left　a　son；　Barnard；　who　taught　Greek　and　　Latin　for　four　years　at　Fortrose；　was　next　ordained　by　the　Bishop　of　Ross　and　presented　to　the　Episcopal　Church　of　Cromarty；　where；　after　a　variety　of　fortunes；　he　died；　and　was　buried　in　the　Cathedral　Church　of　Fortrose。　　　　Alexander；　eldest　son　of　this　last　（Barnard）；　studied　medicine　under　　Boerhave；　and　retired　to　practice　at　Fortrose。　He　married　Ann；　daughter　of　　Alexander　Mackenzie　of　Belmaduthy；　purchased　the　lands　of　Kinnock；　　and　left　a　son；　Barnard；　and　two　daughters；　Catherine　and　Ann。〃　　＇Bennetsfield　MS。　of　the　Mackenzies。＇

This　was　the　turbulent　and　insecure　state　of　affairs　throughout　the　Kingdom　when　the　chief　of　Mackenzie　was　　peaceably　　and　　quietly　enjoying　　himself　in　　his　Highland　home。　　He　died　in　1375。　　＇Murdo　became　a　great　favourite　latterly　with　all　those　with　whom　he　came　in　　contact。　　〃He　fell　in　company　with　the　Earl　of　Sutherland；　who　became　his　very　good　friend　afterwards；　as　that　he　still　resorted　his　court。　In　end　　（being　comely　of　person　and　one　active　young　man）　the　Earl's　lady　（who　　was　King　Robert　the　Bruce's　young　daughter）　fell　in　conceit　of　him；　and　　both　forgetting　the　Earl's　kindness；　by　her　persuasion；　he　got　her　with　　child；　who　she　caused　name　Dougall；〃　and　the　earl　suspecting　nothing　　amiss　〃caused　bred　him　at　schools　with　the　rest　of　his　children　but　　Dougall　being　as　ill…given　as　gotten；　he　still　injured　the　rest；　and　when　the　　earl　would　challenge　or　offer　to　beat　him；　the　Ladie　still　said；　‘Dear　heart；　　let　him　alone；　it　is　hard　to　tell　Dougall's　father；'　which　the　good　earle　always　took　in　good　part。　　In　end；　he　comeing　to　years　of　discretion；　she　to'd　her　husband　that　Mackenzie　was　his　father；　and　shortly　thereafter；　by　　way　of　merriment；　to'd　the　King　how　his　lady　cheated　him。　The　King；　　finding　him　to　be　his　own　cousine　and　of　parts　of　learning；　with　all　to　　pleasure　the　earle　and　his　lady；　he　made　Dougall　prior　of　Beauly。〃Ancient　MS。＇

By　his　wife　Isabel；　only　child　of　Macaulay　of　Loch。　broom；　　Murdoch　Dubh　had　a　son　and　successor；

V。　　MURDOCH　　MACKENZIE；

Known　as　〃Murchadh　na　Drochaid；〃　or　Murdoch　of　the　Bridge。　　The　author　of　the　Ardintoul　MS。　say's　that　〃he　was　called　Murdo　na　Droit　by　　reason　of　some　bad　treatment　his　lady　met　with　at　the　Bridge　of　Scatwell；　which　happened　on　this　occasion。　　He　having　lived　for　many　years　with　　his　lady　and　getting　no'　children；　and　so　fearing　that　the　direct　line　of　his　　family　might　fail　in　his　person；　was　a　little　concerned　and　troubled　thereat；　　which　being　understood　by　some　sycophants　and　flatterers　that　were　about　　him　and　would　fain　curry　his　favour；　they　thought　that　they　could　not　　ingratiate　themselves　more　on　him　than　putting　his　lady　out　of　the　way；　whereby　he　might　marry　another；　and　they　waited　an　opportunity　to　put　　their　design　in　execution　（some　say　not　without　his　connivance）；　and　so　on　　a　certain　evening　or　late　at　night　as　she　was　going　to　Achilty；　where　her　laird　lived；　these　wicked　flatterers　did　presumptuously　and　barbarously　　cast　her　over　the　Bridge　of　Scatwell；　and　then　their　conscience　accusing　　them　for　that　horrid　act　they　made　off　with　themselves。　　But　the　wonderful　　providence　of　God　carried　the　innocent　lady　（who　was　then　with　child）　　nowithstanding　the　impetuousness　of　the　river；　safe　to　the　shore；　and　　enabled　her　in　the　night…time　to　travel　the　length　of　Achilty；　where　her　husband　did　impatiently　wait　her　coming；　that　being　the　night　she　promised　to　be　home；　and　entertained　her　very　kindly；　being　greatly　offended　at　the　maltreatment　she　met　with。　　The　child　she　had　then　in　the　womb　was　afterwards　called　Alexander；　and　some　　say　agnamed　Inrick　　　because　by　a　miracle　or　Providence　he　escaped　that　danger　and　afterwards　　became　heir　to　his　father　and　inherited　his　estate。〃　The　author　of　the　　Applecross　MS。　says　that　this　Baron　was　called　〃Murchadh　no　Droit〃　　from　〃the　circumstances　that　his　mother　being　with　child　of　him；　had　been　saved　after　a　fearful　fall　from　the　Bridge　of　Scattal　into　the　Water　of　　Conon。〃　　The　writer　of　the　〃Ancient〃　MS。　history　of　the　Mackenzies；　the　　oldest　in　existence；　suggests　that　Mackenzie　himself　may　have　instigated　　the　ruffians　to　do　away　with　his　wife。　　〃They　lived；〃　he　says；　〃a　　considerable　time　together　childless；　but　men　in　those　days　（of　whom　he　　reason）　preferred　succession　and　manhood　to　wedlock。　　He　caused　to　　throw　her　under　silence　of　night　over　the　Bridge　of　Scatwell；　but　by　Providence　and　by　the　course　of　the　river　she　was　cast　ashore　and　escaped；　　went　back　immediately　to　his　house；　then　at　Achilty；　and　went　to　his　　bedside　in　a　fond　condition。　　But　commiserating　her　case　and　repenting　　over　the　deed　he　gave　her　a　hearty　reception；　learned　from　her　that　she　　expected　soon　to　become　a　mother；　and　〃so　afterwards　they　lived　together　　contentedly　all　their　days。〃

During　his　earlier　years　Murdoch　appears　to　have　lived　a　peaceful　life；　following　the　example　of　loyalty　to　the　Crown　set　him　by　his　father；　　keeping　the　laws　himself；　and　compelling　those　over　whom　his　　jurisdiction　extended　to　do　the　same。　　Nor；　if　we　believe　the　MS。　　historians　of　the　family；　was　this　dutiful　and　loyal　conduct　allowed　to　go　　unrewarded。　　All　the　successors　of　the　Earl　of　Cromarty　follow　his　　lordship　in　saying　that　a　charter　was　given　by　King　Robert　to　Murdo；　　〃filius　Murdochi　de　Kintail；〃　of　Kintail　and　Laggan　Achadrom；　dated　at　　Edinburgh；　anno　1380；　attested　by　〃Willielmus　de　Douglas；　et　Archibaldo　　de　Galloway；　et　Joanne；　Cancellario　Scotiae。〃　　As　already　stated；　however；　　no　such　charter　as　this；　or　the　one　previously　mentioned　on　the　same　　authority　as　having　been　granted　to　Murdoch　IV。　of　Kintail；　in　1362；　is　on　record。

Murdoch　was　one　of　the　sixteen　Highland　chiefs　who　accompanied　　the　Scots　under　James；　second　　Earl　of　Douglas；　in　his　famous　march　to　England　and　defeated　Sir　Henry　Percy；　the　renowned　Hotspur；　at　the　memorable　battle　of　Otterburn；　or　Chevy　Chase；　in　1388。

The　period　immediately　following　this　historical　raid　across　the　Border　was　more　than　usually　turbulent　even　for　those　days　in　the　Scottish　　Highlands；　but　Mackenzie　managed　to　escape　involving　himself　seriously　　with　either　party　to　the　many　quarrels　which　culminated　in　the　final　　struggle　for　the　earldom　of　Ross　between　the　Duke　of　Albany　and　Donald；　　Lord　of　the　Isles；　in　1411；　at　the　battle　of　Harlaw。

As　soon　as　the　news　of　the　disaster　to　the　Earl　of　Mar；　who　　commanded　at　Harlaw；　reached　the　ears　of　the　Duke　of　Albany；　at　the　　time　Regent　for　Scotland；　he　set　about　collecting　an　army　with　which；　in　the　following　autumn；　he　marched　in　person　to　the　north　determined　to　bring　the　Lord　of　the　Isles　to　obedience。　Having　taken　possession　of　the　　Castle　of　Dingwall；　he　appointed　a　governor　to　it；　and　from　thence　　proceeded　to　recover　the　whole　of　Ross。　　Donald　retreated　before　him；　　taking　up　　his　winter　quarters　in　the　Western　Islands。　Hostilities　were　　renewed　next　summer；　but　the　contest　was　not　long　or　doubtful；　　notwithstanding　some　little　advantages　obtained　by　the　Lord　of　the　Isles。　　　　He　was　compelled　for　a　time　to　give　up　his　claim　to　the　earldom　of　Ross；　　to　become　a　vassal　of　the　Scottish　Crown；　arid　to　deliver　hostages　for　his　　good　behaviour　in　the　future。

Murdoch　must　have　felt　secure　in　his　stronghold　of　Ellandonnan；　and　been　a　man　of　great　prudence；　sagacity；　and　force　of　character；　when；　in　spite　of　the　commands　of　his　nominal　superiorthe　　Lord　of　the　Islesto　support　him　in　these　unlawful　and　rebellious　proceedings　against　the　　King　and　threats　of　punishment　in　case　of　refusal；　he　resolutely　declined　to　join　him　in　his　desperate　and　treasonable　adventures。　　He　went　the　　length　of　saying　that　even　if　his　lordship's　claims　were　just　in　themselves；　　they　would　not　justify　a　rebellion　against　the　existing　Government；　and　he　　further　informed　him　that；　altogether　independently　of　that　　important　consideration；　he　felt　no　great　incentive　to　aid　in　the　cause　of　the　　representative　of　his　grandfather's　murderer。　Mackenzie　was　in　fact　one　of　　those　prudent　and　loyal　chiefs　who　kept　at　home　in　the　Highlands；　looking

after　his　own　affairs；　the　comfort　of　his　followers；　and　laying　a　solid　　foundation　for　the　future　prosperity　of　his　house；　〃which　was　so　　characteristic　of　them　that　they　always　esteemed　the　authority　of　the　　magistrate　as　an　inviolable　obligation。〃

Donald　of　the　Isles　never　forgave　Mackenzie　for　thus　refusing　to　assist　him　in　obtaining　the　Earldom　of　Ross；　and　he　determined　to　ruin　　him　if　he　could。　　On　this　subject　the　Earl　of　Cromartie　says　that　at　the　　battle　of　Harlaw　Donald　was　assisted　by　almost　〃all　the　northern　people；　　Mackenzie　excepted；　who　because　of　the　many　injuries　received　by　his　　predecessors　from　the　Earls　of　Ross；　and　chiefly　by　the　instigation　and　　concurrence　of　Donald's　predecessors；　he　withdrew　and　　refused　concurrence。　　Donald　resolved　to　ruin　him；　but　deferred　it　till　his　return；　　which　falling　out　more　unfortunately　than　he　expected；　did　not　allow　him　　power　nor　opportunity　to　use　the　vengeance　he　intended；　for　on　his　return　to　Ross　he　sent　Mackenzie　a　friend　with　fair　speeches　desiring　his　　friendship；　thinking　no　enemy　despicable　as　he　then　stood。〃　　Murdoch；　at　　Donald's　request；　proceeded　to　Dingwall；　where　the　Island　Lord　urged　　him　to　join　and　promise　him　to　support　his　interest。　　This　Mackenzie　firmly　refused；　〃partly　out　of　hatred　to　his　family　for　old　feuds；　partly　dissuaded　by　Donald's　declining　fortunes〃　at　that　particular　period　；　　whereupon　the　Lord　of　the　Isles　made　Murdoch　prisoner　in　an　　underground　chamber　in　the　Castle　of　Dingwall。　　　He　was　not　long　here；　　however；　when　he　found　an　opportunity　of　making　his　plight　known　to　　some　of　his　friends；　and　he　was　soon　after　released　in　exchange　for　some　　of　Donald's　immediate　relatives　who　had　been　purposely　captured　by　　Mackenzie's　devoted　vassals。

Here　it　may　be　appropriate　to　give　the　traditionary　account　of　the　origin　of　the　Macraes　a