history of the mackenzies-第57章
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ity； correspondence； and amity that was so well kept and entertained betwixt superiors and their followers and vassals in former ages； besides as it is now…a…days； he need not think it so； and I may truly say that there was no clan in the Highlands of Scotland that would compete with the Mackenzies； their vassals and followers； as to that； and it is sure their superiors in former times would not grant their daughters in marriage without their consent。 Nor durst the meanest of them； on the other hand； give theirs to any stranger without the superior's consent； and I heard in Earl Colin's time of a Kintail man that gave his daughter in marriage to a gentleman in a neighbouring country without the Earl's consent； who never after had kindness for the giver； and； I may say； is yet the blackest marriage for that country； and others also； that ever was among their commons。 But it may be objected that now…a…days their commons advice or consent in any matter of consequence is not so requisite； whereas there are many substantial friends to advise with； but its an old Scots phrase； ‘A king's advice may fall from a fool's head。' I confess that is true where friends are real friends； but we ordinarily find； and partly know by experience； that； where friends or kinsmen become great and rich in interest； they readily become emulous； and will ordinarily advise for themselves if in the least it may hinder them from becoming a chief or head of a family； and forget their former headship； which was one of the greatest faults； as also the ruin of Munro of Miltown； whereas a common man will never eye to become a chief so long as he is in that state； and therefore will advise his chief or superior the more freely。〃
What a change in the relationship between the chiefs and clansmen of to…day！ Sir William Fraser； who quotes the foregoing narrative from the former edition of this work； says that John Grant； fifth of Freuchie； in whose time this incident is said to have occurred； was not 〃uncle〃 but cousin to Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail。 But he adds that the 〃story is so far corroborated by the fact that about the time the incident is said to have happened； the young Chief of Kintail granted a receipt to the laird of Freuchie for the charter of comprising； granted on 4th May； 1548； to James Grant of Freuchie； which； with relative papers； was now handed over to Mackenzie； in terms of a disposition by the Laird to him of lands in Kessoryne； Lochalsh； Lochcarron； etc。〃 The original discharge； dated 1st May； 1606； Sir William says； is at Castle Grant。 ＇Chiefs of Grant； vol。 i。 p。 178。＇ A bond of manrent is entered into between Grant and Mackenzie on the same date； at Inverness。
The day appointed for the meeting of Mackenzie and Glengarry to arrange terms soon arrived。 The former had meanwhile brought up several decrees and claims against the latter at the instance of neighbouring proprietors； for 〃cost； skaith and damage；〃 which altogether amounted to a greater sum than the whole of Macdonald's lands were worth。 The two； however； settled their disputes by an arrangement which secured absolutely to Mackenzie all Glengarry's lands in the county of Ross； and the superiority of all his other possessions； but Glengarry was to hold the latter； paying Mackenzie a small feu as superior。 In consideration of these humiliating concessions by Macdonald； Mackenzie agreed to pay twenty thousand merks Scots； and thus ended for ever the ancient quarrels which had existed for centuries between the powerful families of Glengarry and Kintail。 〃Thus ended the most of Glengarrie's troubles tho' there was severall other bloody skirmishes betwixt ymsuch as the taking of the Stank house in Knoidart； where there was severalls burnt and killed by that stratagem； as also young Glengarrie's burning and harrying of Croe in Kintail； where there was but few men killed； yet severall women and children were both burned and killed。 I cannot forget ane pretty fellow that was killed there； who went himself and three or four women to ane outsett in the Croe； where there was a barn （as being more remote）； where they sleept yt night。 But in the morning the breaking of the dore was their wakening； whereupon the man； （called Patrick McConochy Chyle） started and finding them about the barn； bad them leave of and he would open it。 So； getting his bow and arrow； he opens the door； killed 4 of them there； （before） they took nottice of him； which made them all hold off。 In end they fires the barn and surrounds it； which he finding still； started out； and as he did he still killed one of them； till he had killed 11。 The barn in end almost consumed and his arrows spent； he took him to his heels； but was killed by them； and two of the women； the third having stayed in the reek of the barn； and a rough hide about her。〃 ＇Ancient MS。＇
On the 18th of July； 1610； Lord Kenneth made over to Sir Roderick Mor Macleod； XIII。 of Dunvegan； the five unciate lands of Waternish； which his lordship had previously purchased from Sir George Hay and others； who obtained possession of them on the forfeiture of the Macleods of Lewis； to whom Waternish formerly belonged。 As part payment； Sir Roderick Mor Macleod disponed to Mackenzie two unciates of lands in Troternish； Isle of Skye； which belonged to him； along with the Bailliary of the old extent of eight merks which had been united to the Barony of Lewis； and in which William Macleod； XII。 of Dunvegan； had been served heir to his father in 1585。 On the 24th of the same month the Lords of the Privy Council ordain that Lord Kintail should pay Norman Macleod's expenses in prison in all time coming。
Kenneth； first Lord Mackenzie of Kintail； to quote the Earl of Cromarty； 〃was truly of an heroic temper； but of a spirit too great for his estates； perhaps for his country； yet bounded by his station； so as he （his father） resolved to seek employment for him abroad； but no sooner had he gone to France； but Glengarry most outrageously； without any cause； and against all equity and law convocates multitudes of people and invades his estates； sacking； burning； and destroying all。 Kenneth's friends sent John Mackenzie of Tollie to inform him of these wrongs； whereupon he made a speedy return to an affair so urgent； and so suitable to his genius； for as he never offered wrong so he never suffered any。 His heat did not overwhelm his wit； for he took a legal procedure； obtained a commission of fire and sword against Glengarry and his complices； which he prosecuted so bravely as in a short time by himself and his brother he soon forced them to retreat from his lands； and following them to their own bills； he soon dissipated and destroyed them； that young Glengarry and many others of their boldest and most outrageous were killed； and the rest forced to shelter themselves amongst the other Macdonalds in the islands and remote Highlands； leaving all their estates to Kenneth's disposal。
This tribe of the Clan Ranald seem to have been too barbarous for even those lawless times； while by a strange contumacy in latter times； a representative of that ancient family pertinaciously continued to proclaim its infamy and downfall by the adherence to the wild strain of bagpipe music （their family pibroch called Cillechriost）； at once indicative of its shame and submission。 Kenneth's character and policies were of a higher order； and in the result he was everywhere the gainer by them。〃
He was supported by Murdoch Mackenzie； II。 of Redcastle； and by his own brothersSir Roderick Mackenzie of Coigeach； Alexander of Coul； and Alexander of Kilcoy； all men of more than ordinary intelligence and intrepidity。
Lord Kenneth married； first； Ann； daughter of George Ross； IX。 of Balnagown； with issue
I。 Colin Ruadh； his successor； afterwards created first Earl of Seaforth。
II。 John of Lochslinn； who married Isobel； eldest daughter of Alexander Mackenzie； V。 of Gairloch； and died without lawful male issue。
III。 Kenneth； who died unmarried。
IV。 Barbara； who married Donald； Lord Reay。
V。 Janet； who married Sir Donald Macdonald； VIII。 of Sleat； Baronet； with issue； his heir
