history of the mackenzies-第16章
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the treaty； which was duly signed； attested and dated； the 15th November； 1369。 ＇For a full copy of this instrument； see Invernessiana； pp。 69…70。＇ Fordun says that in order to crush the Highlanders； and the more easily； as the King thought； to secure obedience to the laws； he used artifice by dividing the chiefs and promising high rewards to those who would capture or kill their brother lords； and； that writer continues 〃this diabolical plan； by implanting the seeds of disunion amongst the chiefs； succeeded； and they gradually destroyed one another。〃
Before his marriage Murdoch had three illegitimate sons。 One of them was called Hector or Eachainn Biorach。 He acquired the lands of Drumnamarg by marrying Helen； daughter of Loban or Logan of Drum…namarg； who； according to the Earl of Cromarty； 〃was one of the Earl of Ross's feuars。 This superior having an innate enmity with Kenneth's race； was the cause that this Hector had no peaceable possession of Drumnamarg； but turning outlaw； retired to 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； a
