history of the mackenzies-第25章

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Barrow　Moor　　preparatory　to　the　fatal　advance　of　James　IV。　into　England；　when　the　　Mackenzies；　forming　with　　the　Macleans；　joined　that　miserably…arranged　　and　ill…fated　expedition　which　terminated　so　fatally　to　Scotland　on　the　　disastrous　field　of　Flodden；　where　the　killed　included　the　King；　with　the　flower　of　his　nobility；　gentry；　and　even　clergy。　　There　was　scarcely　a　　Scottish　family　of　distinction　that　did　not　lose　at　least　one；　and　some　of　　them　lost　all　the　male　members　who　were　capable　of　bearing　arms。　　The　　body　of　the　King　was　found；　much　disfigured　with　wounds；　in　the　thickest　　of　the　slain。　　Abercromby；　on　the　authority　of　Crawford；　includes；　in　a　list　　of　those　killed　at　Flodden；　〃Kenneth　Mackenzie　of　Kintail；　ancestor　to　the　　noble　family　of　Seaforth。〃　　This　is　an　undoubted　error　for　it　will　be　seen　　that　John；　not　Kenneth　was　chief　at　the　time　of　Flodden。　　It　was　he　who　　joined　the　Royal　army；　accompanied　by　his　brave　and　gallant　uncle；　　Hector　Roy　of　Gairloch　　and　it　is　established　beyond　dispute　that　though　　almost　all　their　followers　fell；　both　John　and　Hector　survived　and　returned　　home。　　They；　however；　narrowly　escaped　the　charge　of　Sir　Edward　Stanley　　in　rear　of　the　Highlanders　during　the　disorderly　pursuit　of　Sir　Edward　Howard；　who　had　given　way　to　the　furious　and　gallant　onset　of　the　mountaineers。

John　was　made　prisoner；　but　afterwards　escaped　in　a　very　　remarkable　manner。　　When　his　captors　were　carrying　him　and　others　of　his　followers　to　the　south；　they　were　overtaken　by　a　violent　storm　which　　obliged　them　to　seek　shelter　in　a　retired　house　occupied　by　the　widow　of　a　　shipmaster。　　After　taking　up　their　quarters；　and；　as　they　thought；　providing　　for　the　safe　custody　of　the　prisoners；　the　woman　noticed　that　the　captives　　were　Highlanders；　and；　in　reference　to　the　boisterous　weather　raging　　outside；　she；　as　if　unconsciously；　exclaimed；　〃The　Lord　help　those　who　are　　to…night　travelling　on　Leathad　Leacachan。〃　　The　prisoners　were　naturally　astonished　to　hear　an　allusion；　in　such　a　place；　to　a　mountain　so　familiar　to　　them　in　the　North　Highlands；　and　they　soon　obtained　an　opportunity；　　which　their　hostess　appeared　most　anxious　to　afford　them；　of　questioning　　her　regarding　her　acquaintance　with　so　distant　a　place；　when　she　told　them　　that　during　a　sea　voyage　she　took　with　her　husband；　she　had　been　taken　so　ill　aboard　ship　that　it　was　found　necessary　to　send　her　ashore　on　the　north　　west　coast　of　Scotland；　where；　travelling　with　only　a　maid　and　a　single　　guide；　they　were　caught　in　a　severe　storm；　and　she　was　suddenly　taken　in　　labour。　　In　this　distressing　and　trying　position　a　Highlander　passing　by　　took　compassion　upon　her；　and　　seeing　her　case　so　desperate；　with　no　　resources　at　hand；　he；　with　remarkable　presence　of　mind；　killed　one　of　his　　horses；　ripped　open　his　stomach；　and　taking　out　the　bowels；　placed　　her　　and　the　newly…born　infant　in　their　place；　as　the　only　effectual　shelter　from　　the　storm。　　By　this　means　he　secured　sufficient　time　to　procure　female　　assistance；　and　ultimately　saved　the　woman　and　her　child。　　But　the　most　remarkable　part　of　the　story　remains　to　be　told。　　The　　same　person　to　whom　she　owed　her　preservation　was　at　that　moment　one　　of　the　captives　under　her　roof。　　　He　was　one　of　Kintail's　followers　on　the　　fatal　field　of　Flodden。　　She；　informed　of　his　presence　and　of　the　plight　he　　was　in；　managed　to　procure　a　private　interview　with　him；　when　he　amply　　proved　to　her；　by　more　detailed　reference　to　the　incidents　of　their　meeting　　on　Leathad　Leacachan；　that　he　was　the　man〃Uisdean　Mor　Mac　‘Ille　　Phadruig〃and　in　gratitude；　she；　at　the　serious　risk　of　her　own　personal　　safety；　successfully　planned　the　escape　of　Hugh's　master　and　his　whole　　party。　　The　story　is　given　on　uninterrupted　tradition　in　the　country　of　the　　Mackenzies；　and　a　full　and　independent　version　in　the　vernacular　of　the　　hero's　humane　conduct　on　Leathad　Leacachan　will　be　found　in　the　Celtic　　Magazine；　vol。　ii。；　pp。　468…9；　to　which　the　Gaelic　reader　is　referred。

Gregory；　p。　112；　says：〃Tradition　has　preserved　a　curious　　anecdote　connected　with　the　Mackenzies；　whose　young　chief；　John　of　　Kintail；　was　taken　prisoner　at　Flodden。　　It　will　be　recollected　that　Kenneth　Og　Mackenzie　of　Kintail；　while　on　his　way　to　the　Highlands；　after　making　　his　escape　from　Edinburgh　Castle；　was　killed　in　the　Torwood　by　the　Laird　　of　Buchanan。　　The　foster…brother　of　Kenneth　Og　was　a　man　of　the　district　　of　Kenlochewe；　named　Donald　Dubh　MacGillecrist　vic　Gillereoch；　who　　with　the　rest　of　the　clan　was　at　Flodden　with　his　chief。　　In　the　retreat　of　the　　Scottish　army　this　Donald　Dubh　heard　some　one　near　him　exclaiming；　　‘Alas；　Laird！　thou　hast　fallen。'　On　enquiry；　he　was　told　it　was　the　Laird　of　　Buchanan；　who　had　sunk　from　his　wounds　or　exhaustion。　　The　faithful　　Highlander；　eager　to　revenge　the　death　of　his　chief　and　foster…brother；　　drew　his　sword；　and；　saying；　‘If　he　has　not　fallen　he　shall　fall；'　made　　straight　to　Buchanan；　whom　he　killed　on　the　spot。〃

As　to　the　safe　return　of　John　of　Kintail　and　Hector　Roy　to　their　Highland　home；　after　this　calamitous　event；　there　is　now　no　question　whatever；　for　we　find　John　among　others；　afterwards　appointed；　by　Act　of　　Council；　a　Lieutenant　or　Guardian　of　Wester　Ross；　＇Gregory；　p。　115。　Acts　　of　Lords　of　Council；　xxvi。；　fo。　25。＇　to　protect　it　from　Sir　Donald　Gallda　Macdonald　of　Lochalsh；　when　he　proclaimed　himself　Lord　of　the　Isles。　　In　　1515；　Mackenzie；　without　legal　warrant；　seized　the　Royal　Castle　of　　Dingwall；　but　professed　his　readiness　to　give　it　up　to　any　one　appointed　by　　the　Regent；　John；　Duke　of　Albany。　＇Acts　of　Lords　of　Council；　xxvii。；　fo。　　60。＇　　In　1532　he　is　included　in　a　commission　by　James　V。　for　suppressing　　a　disorderly　tribe　of　Mackintoshes。　　He　secured　　the　esteem　of　this　monarch　so　much　that　he　appointed　him　a　member　of　his　Privy　Council。

To　put　the　question　of　John's　return　beyond　question；　and　to　show　how　the　family　rose　rapidly　in　influence　and　power　during　his　rule；　we　　shall　quote　the　Origines　Parochiales　Scotia；　from　which　it　will　also　be　　seen　that　Kenneth；　John's　heir；　received　considerable　grants　for　himself　　during　his　father's　lifetime：〃In　1509　King　James　IV。　granted　to　John　　Makkenzie　of　Keantalle　（the　brother　of　Kenneth　Og）　the　40　marklands　of　　Keantallenamely；　the　davach　of　Cumissaig；　the　davach　of　Letterfearn；　　the　davach　of　Gleanselle；　the　davach　of　Glenlik；　the　davach　of　Letterchall；　　the　two　davachs　of　Cro；　and　three　davachs　between　the　water　of　Keppach　　and　the　water　of　Lwying；　with　the　castle　and　fortalice　of　Eleandonnan；　in　the　earldom　of　Ross　and　sheriffdom　of　Innernis；　with　other　lands　in　Ross；　which　John　had　resigned；　and　which　the　King　then　erected　into　the　barony　　of　Eleandonnan。　＇Reg。　Mag。　Sig。；　lib。　xv。；　No。89。　Gregory；　p。83。＇　　　In　　1530　King　James　V。　granted　to　James　Grant　of　Freuchy　and　Johne　　Mckinze　of　Kintale　liberty　to　go　to　any　part　of　the　realm　on　their　lawful　business。　＇Reg。　Sec。　Sig。；　vol。　viii。；　fol。　149。＇　　In　1532；　1538；　and　1540；　the　　same　John　　M'Kenich　of　Kintaill　appears　on　record。　＇Reg。　Sec。　Sig。；　vol。　　ix；　fol。　3；　vol。　xii。；　fol。　21　；　vol。　xiv。；　fol。　32。＇　　In　1542；　King　James　V。　granted　to　John　Mckenzie　of　Kintaill　the　waste　lands　of　Monar；　lying　　between　the　water　of　Gleneak　on　the　north；　the　top　or　summit　of　Landovir　　on　the　south；　the　torrent　of　Towmuk　and　Inchclochill　on　the　east；　and　the　water　of　Bernis　running　into　the　water　of　Long　on　the　west；　and　also　the　　waste　lands　of　lie　Ned　lying　between　Loch　Boyne　on　the　　north；　Loch　　Tresk　on　the　south；　lie　Ballach　on　the　west；　and　Dawelach　on　the　east；　in　the　earldom　of　Ross　and　sheriffdom　of　Innerneslands　which　were　never　　in　the　King's　rental；　and　never　yielded　any　revenue…for　the　yearly　payment　　of　？　to　the　King　as　Earl　of　Ross。　＇Reg。　Mag。　Sig。；　lib。　xxviii。；　No。　　417。＇

In　1543　Queen　Mary　granted　to　Kenneth　Mackenzie　of　Kintail；　and　Isabel　　Stewart；　his　wife；　the　lands　of　Auchnaceyric；　Lakachane；　Strome…ne…mowklach；　Kilkinterne；　the　two　Rateganis；　Torlousicht；　Auchnashellicht；　　Auchnagart；　Auchewrane；　lic　Knokfreith；　Aucharskelane；　and　Malegane；　　in　the　lordship　of　Kintaill　and　other　lands　in　Ross；　extending　in　all　to　36　　marks；　which　he　had　　resigned。　＇Reg。　Mag。　Sig。；　lib。　xxviii。；　No。　524。　　Reg。　　Sec。　Sig。；vol。　xvii。；　fol。　56。＇　In　1551　the　same　Queen　granted　to　John　　M'Kenze　of　Kintaill；　and　Kenzeoch　M'Kenze；　his　son　and　apparent　heir；　a　　remission　for　the　violent　taking　of　John　Hectour　M'Kenzesone　of　　Garlouch；　Doull　Hectoursone；　and　John　Towach　Hectoursone；　and　for　　keeping　them　in　prison　‘vsurpand　thairthrou　our　Souerane　Ladyis　　autorite。'　＇Reg。　Sec。　Sig。；　vol。　xxiv。；　fol。　75。＇　　In　1554　there　appear　on　　record　John　Mackenzie　of　Kintaile　and　his　son　and　heir…apparant；　Kenneth　Mackenzie　of　Brahanapparently　the　same　persons　that　appear　in　1551。　　＇Reg；　Mag。　Sig。；　lib。　xxxii。；　No。　211。＇

Donald　Gorm　Mor　Macdonald　of　Sleat　laid　waste　the　country　of　　Macleod　of　Dunvegan；　an　ally　of　Mackenzie；　after　which　he　passed　over　　in　1539　to　the　mainland　and　pillaged　the　lands　of　Kenlochewe；　where　he　　killed　Miles　or　Maolmuire；　son　of　Finlay　Dubh　MacGillechriost　MacRath；　　at　the　time　governor　of　Ellandonnan　Castle。　　Finlay　was　a　very　〃pretty　　man；〃　and　the　writer　of　the　Genealogy　of　the　Macras　informs　us　that　〃the　　remains　of　a　monument　erected　for　him；　in　the　place　where　he　was　killed；　　is　still　（1704）　to　be　seen。〃　　Kintail　was　naturally　much　exasperated　at　this　　unprovoked　raid　upon　his　territory；　as　also　for　Macdonald's　attack　upon　　his　friend　and　ally；　Macleod　of　Dunvegan；　and　to　punish　Donald　Gorm；　he　　dispatched　his　son；　Kenneth；　with　a　force　to　Skye；　who　made　ample　　reprisals　in　Macdonald's　country；　killing　many　of　his　followers；　and　at　the　same　time　exhibiting　great　intrepidity　and　sagacity。　　Donald　Gorm　almost　　immediately　afterwards　made　an　incursion　into　Mackenzie's　territories　of　　Kintail；　where　he　killed　Sir　（Rev。）　Dougald　Mackenzie；　〃one　of　the　Pope's　knights〃；　whereupon　Kenneth；　younger　of　Kintail；　paid　a　second　visit　to　　the　Island；　wasted　the　country；　and　on　his　return；　Macdonald　learning　that　　Ellandonnan　was　garrisoned　by　a　very　weak　force；　under　the　new　　governor；　John　Dubh　Matheson　of　Fernaigwho　had　married　Sir　Dugald　　Mackenzie's　widowhe　made　another　raid　upon　it；　with　fifty　birlinns　or　　large　boats　full　of　his　followers；　with　the　intention　of　surprising　the　small　　garrison；　and　taking　the　castle　by　storm。　　Its　gallant　defenders　consisted　at　the　time　of　the　governor；　his　watchman；　and　Duncan　MacGillechriost　Mac　　Fhionnladh　Mhic　Rath；　a　nephew　of　Maolmuire　killed　in　the　last　incursion　　of　the　Island　chief。　　The　advance　of　the　boats　was；　however；　noticed　in　　time　by　the　sentinel　or　watchman；　who　at　once　gave　the　alarm　to　the　　country　people；　but　they　arrived　too　late　to　prevent　the　enemy　from　　landing。　　Duncan　MacGillechriost　was　on　the　mainland　at　the　time；　but　　flying　back　with　all　speed　he　arrived　at　the　postern　of　the　stronghold　in　time　to　kill　several　of　the　Islesmen　in　the　act　of　landing；　and；　entering　the　　castle；　he　found　no　one　there　but　the　governor　and　watchman；　almost　immediately　after；　Donald　Gorm　Mor　furiously　attacked　the　gate；　but　　without　success；　the　brave　trio　having　strongly　secured　it　by　a　second　　barrier　of　iron　within　a　few　steps　of　the　outer　defences。　Unable　to　procure　　ac