File:Sir Hector Og Maclean (1583-1623) in A History of the Clan Mac Lean from Its First Settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the Present Period.jpg

DescriptionSir Hector Og Maclean (1583-1623) in A History of the Clan Mac Lean from Its First Settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the Present Period.jpg	English: Sir Hector Og Maclean (1583-1623) in A History of the Clan Mac Lean from Its First Settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the Present Period
Date	1889
Source	A History of the Clan MacLean from Its First Settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the Present Period
Author	John Patterson MacLean  (1848–1939)      Alternative names J. P. MacLean Description American historian and author Date of birth/death 12 March 1848  12 August 1939  Location of birth/death Greenville Greenville Authority file : Q6252136 VIAF: 20057266 ISNI: 0000000073684213 LCCN: n80060316 Open Library: OL1133040A GND: 1055270825 WorldCat creator QS:P170,Q6252136
Other versions	https://books.google.com/books?id=tQs2AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA137

The death of Sir Lachlan Mór MacLean raised his son Eachann Og, or Young Hector, then twenty years of age, to the chieftainship of the clan. His first act was to adopt retaliatory measures upon the MacDonalds for the death of his father and kinsmen at Tra-Gruinnart. He obtained a commission of fire and sword against the MacDonalds of Islay, and at once summoned the chief of the MacKinnons, MacLeod of Dunvegan, and MacNeil of Barra to his assistance. The chief of the Camerons of Lochiel joined this force with his clan. Although Sir Lachlan MacLean had so recently crossed swords with Lochiel, yet when the report was brought to the latter that the former had expressed his grief that he had so much offended his nephew, Lochiel, "for," said he, " he is the only chief in the Highlands of sufficient courage, conduct, and power to revenge my death, and I am confident that, if I had not injured and provoked him in the manner I have done, he would not have allowed himself much rest until he had effected it;" the chief of the Camerons immediately put himself at the head of his clan and joined the forces of Hector. The united clans, fully equipped, proceeded to Islay. Sir James MacDonald, in anticipation of this movement on the part of the young lord of Duard, mustered together the whole gathering of Islay and Kintyre, and prepared himself for a conflict which he had reason to believe would be of a sanguinary nature. The hostile parties met at a place called Benbigrie, and as neither felt disposed to offer nor to accept terms, the result was an immediate battle. The followers of the chief of MacLean, upon this occasion, considerably outnumbered the MacDonalds; but Sir James, well aware that he need hope for no reconciliation with his enraged kinsman, told his followers that in a resolute resistance alone existed any hope of safety to themselves or of protection to their homes. The MacDonalds, goaded to desperation by a knowledge of these facts, fought with uncontrollable fury, and it was not until the heights of Benbigrie were covered with their slain, and their chief carried off the field dangerously wounded, that their assailants succeeded in routing them. Overwhelmed by numbers the unfortunate MacDonalds were at length obliged to give way and fly in the utmost confusion, not knowing whither, neither mountain nor valley afforded them shelter from their victorious pursuers. A few, however, carrying with them their wounded chief, made their way to Kintyre, leaving Islay a prey to the ruthless invaders. For three days the allied clans pursued the work of destruction with remorseless barbarity throughout the island. Every human habitation was burned to the ground; and the poor inhabitants were left to seek their only shelter in caves and clefts of rocks amoi] the mountains, without fuel and without food. The career of the merciless victors only ceased when the work of destruction was complete.

Lochiel had the satisfaction of taking " Hector MacLean of Lochbuy, who aided the MacDonalds against his own chief, with several of his followers, prisoners of war, and detained them in chains for six months. Loehbuy, however, soon after had ample opportunity of being even with Lochiel." *

Of all the conflicts between these two clans, this, the last, was the most sanguinary and destructive. The MacLeans and their confederates no doubt felt themselves justified in executing signal vengeance upon their enemies, for the treachery displayed at Tra-Guinnart, and the loss there of so distinguished a chief. They were also forced to make the destruction as complete as possible, for the conduct of Sir James MacDonald had made him popular with his clan, and his actions had met their approval. However deplorable may have been the loss of life, and the sufferings endured by the innocent and helpless, the result was to put a final and effectual end to the struggle between the contending clans. Ever after the battle of Benbigrie the MacLeans and MacDonalds laid aside their animosities, and lived on the happiest terms of friendship and reciprocal good will.

In the year 1599, King James, finding the royal exchequer still in a depleted condition, again turned his eyes toward the Western Isles, and decided that the chiefs should be mulcted in a sufficient amount to meet his demands; so he appointed a new commission of lieutenandry over the whole Isles and Highlands of Inverness-shire, which was granted to the duke of Lennox and earl of Huntly, the latter having been recently restored to favor. Although the official document, which sets forth the reasons for the action of the king, gives a shocking picture of the Islesmen, yet this clause establishes the true import of the commission: "And besides all their other crimes, they re- belliously withhold from his Majesty a great part of the patrimony and proper rent of the crown, deprive the country of the benefit which might redound thereto, by the trade of fishing, and of other commodities which these bounds render. And now, at last, a great part of them have banded, conspired, and daily practice, by force and policy, in their barbarous and rebellious form, to disappoint his Majesty's service in the Lewis." f

As to the extent which this lieutenandry was acted upon is now uncertain. It is positive, however, that as a matter of justice, but little was due the crown from rents, and the amount demanded was beyond the ability of the chiefs to meet.

In 1601, another commission of lieutenandry was granted to the same

• Mackenzie's History of the dimerous, "Celtic Magazine,' Vol. VIII.. p. 374. Gregory's Western Highlands, p L'87.

parties; the South of Argyleshire Isles included under the immediate charge of Lennox. These lieutenants were charged to assist certain colonists who would be better able greatly to augment the king's rents. Power was given them to use force and pursue the Islesmen with fire and sword. Rewards were offered these commissioners for the faithful performance of the duty assigned to them.*

Acting upon his authority, Huntly, who had charge of the northern districts, summoned a convention of estates, to meet at Stirling within a given period, under a penalty of forfeiture against an absentee; but many of the northern chiefs, from the distance they had to travel, and the limited period allowed for their appearance, were unable to be in attendance on the day appointed. As Hector MacLean of Duard owned the lands of Garbhghambluch, in Lochaber, he started at once for Stirling. On arriving there, he met Huntly on the street early on the morning that his name was to be called. After Huntly had saluted him, MacLean asked him if he thought he would have time to change his clothes before the roll would be called. Huntly answered he had plenty of time. On repairing to his lodging, MacLean learned the convention was in session, and immediately hurried to the assembly, and on arriving there found his name had been called. On parting with Hector in the street, Huntly went direct to the convention, and determined at once to put in execution the threat he had uttered against Sir Lachlan M6r MacLean, on account of the latters proposal to bring Huntly dead or alive, the night after the battle of Glenlivat; so he ordered MacLean's name called at once, and as the latter was not present, Huntly immediately applied for the forfeit, procured it, and is still in the possession of the duke of Gordon. All the friends and interest that Hector could make, or bring to bear on the king, were never able to reverse the sentence, as Huntly always made great opposition. Thus he felt himself amply revenged on the son of Sir Lachlan M6r.

The Pennycross manuscript informs us that Hector Og got the estate in its best condition and before the sentence of forfeiture of the Lochaber portion amounted to five hundred mark land. The Lochaber estate which he lost by Huntly was twenty pound land.f

• Record of Privy Council, 16 June, 1001.

t The extent of the possessions of Duard at this period is of interest. From Inquisitionum ad Cupiltam Domini Hrt)is, published in 1811, Vol. I., under Argyle, we read: "1603, April 1. Hector MeClayne de Doward, haeres Heetoris SIcClayne, avi,—in Terris de Torosay cum castro et molendino:—Terris do Brolo-s; 8 mereatis terrarum in Ardmamarhburg, Qlonkynnuir,

In lo'02, Mackenzie of Kintail engaged in a feud with the Clanranald of Glengarry, regarding their lands in Wester Ross. The violence between the clans became so great that the chief of Kintail repaired to Duard castle for assistance; for he had discovered that the MacDonalds of Islay, Ardnamurchan, and Glencoe were on the point of lending aid to Clanranald. Hector MacLean at once agreed to hold these clans in check, and if found necessary

Gomodra, Trianis, jacentibus in Mule:—Galgray (vel Collozray) Inewry, Colleschlay, Sonepoil, Kilchreis. Tennutnoir, Ardorenis, jacentibus in Morevis:—Man'iulon Crossopoill, et Keren jacentibus in Tcrrigh, cum officio halliatus do Terrigh: Kearitburgh cum insulis ojusdetn. Dunchonill cum insulis ejusdem et Molway, jacentibus in Skarby. Troig, Bimngell, Glenamuk, Ard-kalenis, Cannis, Egistill, Ardvegnis, jacentibus in Iuray Dowanultaehe, Kanachan, Achytymolen, jacentibus in Knapdaill:—Tarrislay jacentibus in lllay, infra vice comitatum de Tarbirt, cum quibusdam aliia terris m vice comitatu de Inverness A. E. 228 in N. E. 114 m."

"1615, July 1. Hector Maklane de Doward avi in terris et Baronia de Doward continente terras du Torresay, cum castro de Doward et molendino terras de Brolas: 8 mereatas torrarum jacentis in Ardmanuachburg Glenkynneir, Gomadra, Cresems, jacentes in Mule Colloyrny, Ineway, Caliochlay, Sonepoilo, Gilchrist, I'ememare Ardirenis jacentes in Mariens—Mandalon Crossipoill et Keren, jacentes in Tierig, cum officis balliatus de Tierig—-Kearnburgh cum insula ojusclfm i-t Moluay jacentes in Scarbay. Troaig Owanagoll, Glenamuk, Ardskaleins, Eamunis Equifti 11 Andnagenil, jacentes in Dowray. Downnamultich, Ranaguhan Aithtay et molendius, jacentes in Knapdale:—Torlisay in Hay, infra vice comitatum de Tarbetj in 20 libratis terrarum antiqui extentus subscriptus, viz.: terris de Dislunmull Cartomoei, Kilmichael Ardnaleig; terris de duobus Fanncmorcis, Torloisk, Cascar, Ardesgony, Burbcg, Buyraoir, Kendili, Glekewgary, Ewinsay, Crossopolle Ltingavill, Knokawy, Kildony Drunziga, Ducbaren, Dromolkyn, Tunadill cum molendius et piscatione jacentibus in insula de Mull et infra vice comitatum de Tarbat—20 Libratis, 6 solidatis et 8 denariatis terrarum antiqui extentus subsquentibus, viz., juartores terrarum de Coall juarteria terrarum de Setrynmul; juartaria terrarum de Archalick et Fairland juar: Ter: de Carspellan, juar. ter. de Garrinsay et Kilnallan juar. Tor: do Garbols ct Duach juari: ter: deDall: jr.ter.de Kobols et Kepols jr. ter. de Killiegan et Skanlastill: dimidietate octave partis terrarum do meglene, dimi: act: partis ter; de Owo: et oct: part. ter. de Bow et 6 Solidaturum et 8 denariatarum terrarum de Standstill cum molendino in insula do Hay et vincomitatu de Tarbat annecatis ad Baroniam de Doward. Terris de Illwav, Lagan, Walsagaray, infra vin comitatum de Tarbat extendentibus per so ad 20 mereatus terrarum antqui extentus cum juibusdam aliis terris in vincomitate de Inverness."

In the same work, under the head of Inverness, may be found the following: "Dt03, April 1. Hector McClayne de Doward, 'haeris' Hectori9 McClayne avi—in terris de Aui lmakay, Auchalane, Dugerre Keanboch, Auchranick, cum lie Stratum lie Claricbe, ot lie Claschbraik Aucbtedonil, onladiil cum lie slow (srow) Achetawer, Annisky, Coulek, Doway, Correchenley cum Suknanock, Auehichterre,Thomguharrig, jacientibus in Locbabir:—4 mereatis terrarum de Scalpay, viz: Tarm et Skeodin infra vincomitatum de Inverness; advocatione ccclesiarutn infra terras et insulas antedictas cum officio balliatas: omnibus cum tenis in Argylo unitis in Baroniam de Doward."

	This media file is in the public domain in the United States. This applies to U.S. works where the copyright has expired, often because its first publication occurred prior to January 1, 1929, and if not then due to lack of notice or renewal. See this page for further explanation.
	This image might not be in the public domain outside of the United States; this especially applies in the countries and areas that do not apply the rule of the shorter term for US works, such as Canada, Mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macao), Germany, Mexico, and Switzerland. The creator and year of publication are essential information and must be provided. See Wikipedia:Public domain and Wikipedia:Copyrights for more details.