Lachlan Mor Maclean, 14th Clan Chief

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachlan_Mor_Maclean

He was born in 1558 to Eachuinn Og Maclean. Sir Lachlan became the 14th Maclean Clan Chief at the death of his father in 1573 or 1574.[1]

"He was called 'Big Lachlan,' both on account of his stature and the greatness of his mind. He was the most accomplished and warlike chief that ever held sway in Duard. His military talents were of a very high order; his chivalrous character commanded the respect of his most inveterate foes, and his personal interest for and kindness toward his followers endeared him to his clansmen. So great were his qualities that historians have been forced to pay tribute to his memory."[1]

Birth: He was born in 1558 to Eachuinn Og Maclean. Sir Lachlan became the 14th Maclean Clan Chief at the death of his father in 1573 or 1574.

He was called "Big Lachlan," both on account of his stature and the greatness of his mind. He was the most accomplished and warlike chief that ever held sway in Duard. His military talents were of a very high order; his chivalrous character commanded the respect of his most inveterate foes, and his personal interest for and kindness toward his followers endeared him to his clansmen. So great were his qualities that historians have been forced to pay tribute to his memory.

Marriage and children: He married Lady Margaret Cunningham of Glencairn, daughter of William Cunningham, 6th Earl of Glencairn.[3] They had the following children:

• Hector Og Maclean, 15th Clan Chief
• Lachlan Og Maclean, 1st Laird of Torloisk
• Gillean Maclean, married to Mary the elder, daughter of John Dubh Maclean of Morvern
• Allan Maclean, married to Mary the younger, daughter of John Dubh Maclean of Morvern
• Charles Maclean
• Bethag Maclean, married to Hector MacLean of Lochbuie, 9th Chief

Death: He died on August 5, 1598 in the Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart on the Island of Islay and his remains were left on the battlefield. A day or two after the battle, it is said that two females, of whom different accounts are given—some calling them strangers, some clanswomen, some relations of the dead—grieving to think that the body of so notable a chief as Sir Lachlan Mor should be unburied and uncared for on the moorland, came from a distance in search of it. They hired a vehicle, the only one to be had in the neighborhood, and having found the corpse, proceeded to carry it to the nearest burying-grounds, about six miles distant. The way was rough, and the driver looking behind him saw the head of the great chief, which extended beyond the car, nodding to him at every jolt, as if it had life, and were giving him directions. At the next heavy rut he looked again to please his savage soul with ferocious enjoyment. But this time the elder female, who had watched him, acted as described in the ballad, and killed the brutal driver with the chieftain's dagger. Then, along with her companion, she brought the mortal remains of Sir Lachlan to the place where they still lie buried. Sir Lachlan Mor MacLean lies buried in the churchyard of Kilchoman, Islay, near the south wall of the church, and over his grave is laid a great stone. There is a churchyard, Kilnave, near the battle-field; but the body was taken to Kilchoman that it might be more honored, for he was buried inside the church, and when a new church was built there, about sixty years ago, the wall was so constructed that the grave was left outside.

Source: Richard Arthur Norton for Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Lachlan_Mor_Maclean

http://www.clanmacfarlanegenealogy.info/genealogy/TNGWebsite/getper...

Name Lachlan Mor MacLean [1, 2] Prefix Sir Suffix of Duart (Dowart), 14th Chief Born Abt 1557 Duart, Isle Of Mull, Argyll, Scotland Gender Male Died 5 Aug 1598 Traigh-Ghruinneirt, Islay, Argyll, Scotland Cause: killed at battle of Traigh-Ghruinneirt.

Father Hector Og MacLean, 9th of Duart (Dowart), 13th Chief, d. 1573 Mother Janet Campbell, d. Yes, date unknown Married 28 Oct 1557 [1, 4]

Family Margaret Cunningham, b. Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, Scotland F, d. Yes, date unknown Married Y [1]

Children

+ 1. dau. MacLean, of Dowart (Duart), d. Yes, date unknown + 2. Lachlan Og MacLean, 1st of Torloisk, b. Duart, Isle Of Mull, Argyll, Scotland , d. 1651, Argyllshire, Scotland

	3. Allan MacLean,   d. Yes, date unknown

	4. Gillean MacLean,   d. Yes, date unknown

	5. Charles MacLean, of Dowart (Duart) family,   d. Yes, date unknown +	6. Bethag MacLean,   b. Abt 1577,   d. Yes, date unknown +	7. Hector Og MacLean, 11th of Duart, 15th Chief of MacLean,   b. Abt 1578, Duart, Isle Of Mull, Argyll, Scotland ,   d. 1623  (Age ~ 45 years)

Photos Tobermoray Bay, Mull Tobermoray Bay, Mull

Notes

   1 - July 1586 While the southern and more populous parts of Scotland were, as we see, sufficiently barbarous, the Highland districts were as the comparative, and the Hebrides as the superlative degree in the same quality. The king, in the first edition of his Basilicon Doron, tells his son to think no more of the Islanders than as 'wolves and wild boars.' Probably, when the reader has perused the following narrative, he will think the epithet not unjustly applied, although his majesty afterwards dropped it in reprinting his book. The tale is of a commotion betwixt Angus M'Connel, Lord of Kintyre, and Maclean, Lord of Islay. 'This Angus had to his wife the sister of Maclean, and although they were brother-in-law, yet the ane was always in sic suspicion with the other, that of either side there was sae little traist, that almaist sendle [seldom] or never did they meet in amity, like unto the common sort of people, but rather as barbares upon their awn guard, or by their messengers. True it is that thir Islandish men are of nature very proud, suspicious, avaritious, full of deceit and evil intention [each] against his neighbour, by what way so ever he may circumvent him. Besides all this, they are sae cruel in taking of revenge, that neither have they regard to person, age, time, or cause; sae are they generally all sae far addicted to their awn tyrannical opinions, that in all respects they exceed in cruelty the maist barbarous people that ever has been sin' the beginning of the warld; ane example whereof ye saIl hear in this history following:

   'Angus M'Connel, understanding, by divers reports, the gude behaviour of Maclean to be sae famous, that almaist he was recommended and praised by the haill neutral people of these parts above himself; whilk engendered sic rancour in his heart that he pretermitted nae invention how he might destroy the said Maclean. At last he devised to draw on a familiarity amang them, and inveited himself to be banqueted by Maclean; and that the rather, that Maclean should be the readier to come over to his isle with him the mair gladly, either being required, or upon set purpose, as best should please him. And when Angus had sent advertisement to Maclean, that he was to come and make gude cheer, and to be merry with him certain days, Maclean was very glad thereof, and answered to the messenger: "My brother shall be welcome," said he, "come when he list." The messenger answered, it wald be to-morrow. So when Angus arrived in effect, he was richt cheerfully welcomed by his brother-in-law, wha remained there by the space of five or sax days. And when it was perceived that Maclean's provision was almaist spent, Angus thought it then time to remove. Indeed, the custom of that people is sae given to gluttony and drinking without all measure, that as ane is inveited to another, they never sinder sae lang as the vivers do last. In end, Angus says: "Because I have made the first obedience unto you, it will please you come over to my isle, that ye may receive as gude treatment with me as I have done with yon." Maclean answered that he durst not adventure to come to him for mistrust; and Angus said: "God forbid that ever I should intend or pretend any evil against you; but yet, to remove all doubt and suspicion frae your mind, I will give you twa pledges, whilk shall be sent unto you with diligence; to wit, my eldest son and my awn only brother-german: these twa may be keepit here by your friends till ye come safely back again." Maclean, hearing this offer, whilk appeared unto him void of all suspicion, and so decreeted to pass with him to Kintyre; and further to testify that baith he simply believed all to be true, and that upon hope of gude friendship to continue, he thought expedient to retein ae only pledge, and that was Angus's brother, and wald carry with him his awn nevoy, the son of Angus. Whether he did this to save himself frae suspicion of danger, as apparently of the event he did it, or gif he brought him back again upon liberal favour, I will not dispute; because I have tauld you afore the perfect nature and qualities of these islands people; yet, because Maclean's education was civil, and brought up in the gude lawis and manners of Scotland from his youth, it may be that he has had double consideration, ane by kind, and another by art of honest dissimulation.

   To conclude, to Kintyre he came, accompanied with forty-five men of his kinsfolk and stout servants, in the month of July 1586; where, at the first arrival, they were made welcome with all humanity, and were sumptuously banqueted all that day. But Angus in that meantime had premonished all his friends and weelwillers within his isle of Kintyre to be at his house that same night at nine of the clock, and neither to come sooner nor later; for he had concluded with himself to kill them all the very first night of their arrival, fearing that gif he should delay any langer time, it might be that either he sould alter his malicious intention, or else that Maclean wald send for some greater forces of men for his awn defence. Thus he concealed his intent still, till baith he fand the time commodious and the very place proper; and Maclean being lodged with all his men within a lang house, that was something distant frae other housing, took to bed with him that night his nevoy, the pledge afore-spoken. But within ane hour thereafter, when Angus had assembled his men to the number of twa hundred, he placed them all in order about the house where Maclean then lay. Thereafter he came himself and called at the door upon Maclean, offering to him his reposing drink, whilk was forgotten to be given to him before he went to bed. Maclean answered, that he desired nae drink for that time. "Although so be," said the other, "it is my will that thou arise and come forth to receive it." Then began Maclean to suspect the falset, and so arase with his nevoy betwixt his shoulders, thinking that gif present killing was intended against him, he should save himself sae lang as he could by the boy; and the boy, perceiving his father with a naked sword, and a number of his men in like manlier about, cried with a loud voice, mercy to his uncle for God's sake; whilk was granted, and immediately Maclean was removed to a secret chalmer till the morrow. Then cried Angus to the remanent that were within; sae mony as wald have their lives to be safe, they should come forth, twa only excepted, whilk he nominate; sae that obedience was wade by all the rest, and these twa only, fearing the danger, refused to come forth. Angus, seeing that, commanded incontinent to put fire to the house, whilk was immediately performed; and thus were the twa men cruelly and unmercifully burnt to the death. These twa were very near kinsmen to Maclean, and of the eldest of his clan, renowned baith for counsel and manheid. The rest that were prisoners of the haill number afore-tauld, were ilk ane beheaded the days following, ane for ilk day, till the haul is number was ended; yea, and that in Maclean's awn sight, being constrained thereunto, with a dolorous advertisement to prepare himself for the like tragical end howsoon they should all be killed. And when the day came that Maclean should have been brought forth, miserably to have made his tragical end, like unto the rest, it pleased Angus to lowp upon his horse, and to come forth for joy and contentment of mind, even to see and behald the tyrannical fact with his awn eyes. But it pleased God, wha mercifully deals with all men, and disappoints the decrees of the wicked, to disappoint his intent for that day also, for he was not sae soon on horseback, but the horse stumbled, and Angus fell off him, and brake his leg, and so was carried hame.'— H. K. J.

   The personages of this well-told tale were properly designated Angus Macdonald of Islay, and Lachlan Maclean of Dowart; the latter is described by Mr Tytler as 'an island Amadis of colossal strength and stature,' 'by no means illiterate,' 'and possessing, by the vigour of his natural talents, a commanding influence over the rude and fierce islesmen.' Angus of Islay was step-son to the Irish Earl of Tyrone, and much mixed up with the troubled politics of the north of Ireland in that age. There was an old feud regarding land between Angus and his brother-in-law Maclean. In 1585, it received fresh excitement from an outrage on the laws of hospitality committed by Maclean's people upon the retinue of Donald Mor of Sleat, when that chief chanced to take shelter from a storm in the isle of Jura. Angus of Islay, having gone to visit Maclean soon after, was seized and imprisoned along with his followers; and he was not liberated till he had agreed to renounce the disputed lands. Such, in reality, was the nature of the visit which the annalist has described as prompted by deceit on the part of Angus. With one of the two hostages exacted from Angus on this occasion, Maclean soon after went to Islay to see after the recovered lands; with strange simplicity, he complied with an invitation of Angus to visit him at his house of Mullintrea, though not till he had received repeated protestations that no harm was intended to him. Here it was that the barbarous circumstances related by our annalist took place.'

   By the intervention of a royal message, and the interference of the acting head of the clan Campbell, Angus rendered up Maclean, 'on receiving a promise of pardon for his crimes, and on eight hostages of rank being placed in his hands by Maclean, for the performance of certain conditions which the latter was forced to subscribe. To complete this singular picture of barbarism, Lachlan was no sooner free, than he ravaged Islay with fire and sword; in requital of which, Angus ravaged the isles of Mull and Tiree, killing every human inhabitant and every beast that fell into his hands.

   The various clans siding with their respective friends in this contest, it became the cause of a general war throughout the islands and West Highlands, which lasted some time, notwithstanding every effort of the government to put it down.

2 - Many of the fictional adventures of David Balfour in Robert Louis Stevenson «i»Kidnapped «/i»take place on Mull, but a true story literally exploded here a century-and-a-half earlier. In 1588, one of the Spanish galleon that had survived the Armada was forced by storms and lack of food and water to take shelter in Tobbermory Bay. Maclean of Duart gave the captain the supplies he politely requested — at a price. He 'borrowed' hundred Spanish sailors and two cannons to help him attack Mingary Castle at Kilchoan where his mother lived, having remarried. Presumably he didn't care for his new step father. While this blood feud was in progress some of the sailors let it drop that on hoar their ship were gold ducats wort approximately 300,000 pounds at the current rate of exchange. The siege of Mingary Castle was failure, but before the ship could sail away someone went aboard and set fire to the magazine, blowing the ship, the crew of 350 and himself to smithereens. No one seems to know why. It was said that the Spaniards were about to sail without paying for their supplies - but they'd stormed a castle for nothing, and no one was going to be paid that way! Maybe it was an accident. In any event all attempts since to bring up the chests of gold have failed, though some say that the Macleans found a way to do it hundreds of years ago and maintained a prudent silence. An unlikely story, and one that presupposes some kinsman, generations ahead of his time, devising a form of snorkel with a windpipe 11 fathoms long.

   [ "Reflections on Scotland" by Ian Wallace pub.1988 ] [5]

Sources

   [S6] Stirnet Genealogy, Peter Barns-Graham, Maclean02.

[S576] Maclean Clan descent chart.
[S97] Gillean - MacLean database, (http://www.gillean.com/Roots/db/).
[S97] Gillean - MacLean database, (http://www.gillean.com/Roots/db/), dat72.htm#8.
[S46] www.electricscotland.com, http://www.electricscotland.com/history/domestic/vol1ch7.htm.

LACHLAN MACLEAN OF DUART

Genealogy

1. Stirnet: MacLean 02
2. Stirnet: MacLeod 06

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Lachlan Mòr Maclean
14th Chief

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   Fourteenth Chief

   Born 1558

   the "Great Maclean"

   Lachlan's chiefship marks a turning point in the perspective of what a chief should be. He shifted away from groverning through harshly exercising the authority of chiefship to demonstrating the leaderhip of the chiefship.

   In 1588 a Spanish galleon, part of the dispersed Armada, sought shelter in Tobermory Bay . Lachlan Mor, the 12 th chief, was quick to enlist the soldiers aboard for an expeditionary force against the MacDonalds, in return for provisions. The clans were feuding over control of the sea routes to Ulster , with support for the Macleans coming from Elizabeth I of England . As security, officers from the ship were held hostage in Duart Castle , while some Macleans were held aboard the ship, including Maclean of Morven's son and heir, Donald. All those on board the ship died when it mysteriously blew up. Blame was laid at the door of the English or the MacDonalds, but legend speaks of Donald MacLean carrying out the orders of Lachlan Mor.

   Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean harried the Macdonalds of Islay, causing such carnage that, in 1594, he and the Macdonald chief were declared outlaws by the Privy Council. Lachlan redeemed himself when he fought for the king at the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594.

   "On advancing to Aberdeen, Argyle ordered Red Lion, the herald, to proclaim the royal commission by sound of trumpet in the market-place, and appointed Sir Lauchlan Maclean of Duart to the chief command under himself."1

   "Errol was severely wounded with a bullet in the arm, and by one of the sharp-barbed arrows of the Highland bowmen, which pierced deep into the thigh. He lost his pennon, or guidon, also ; which was won by Maclean."1

   "Seeing the day lost, Maclean, who had done most, and suffered least in this cruel fight, withdrew his men from the wood, and retired in good order but seven hundred Highlanders were slain in the chase, which was continued till the steepness of the mountains rendered further pursuit impossible."1

   "the superior armour and discipline of the Lowland knights proved too strong for the ferocious but irregular efforts of a much larger force of Highlanders."1

   Lachlan Mor is also remembered for murdering eighteen of the guests at his widowed mothers second wedding, he then imprisoned the groom and made him suffer 'dailie tortour and panis'.

   When King James VI learned of his dealings with Queen Elizabeth the punishment was sequestration of Duart to the King's Commissioners in 1604.

   He was killed fighting in the Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart on the Island of Islay in 1598, whereupon his sons took revenge in the form of a massacre which is said to have lasted for 3 days.

   Dubh Sith which translates as Black Elf killed Sir Lachlan Mor.

   Died 05 August 1598

1Tytler, Patrick Fraser. History of Scotland. Vol. IX. Edinburgh: Tait, 1828. N. p146-150. Print.

http://macleanhistory.org/chiefs/lachlan-mor-maclean-14th-chief/