Alexander of Islay or Alexander MacDonald (died 1449; Scottish Gaelic: Alasdair MacDomhnaill or MacDhòmhnaill) was a medieval Scottish nobleman, who succeeded his father Domhnall of Islay as Lord of the Isles (1423-49) and rose to the rank of Earl of Ross (1437-49). His lively career, especially before he attained the earldom of Ross, led Hugh MacDonald, the 17th century author of History of the MacDonalds, to commemorate him as "a man born to much trouble all his lifetime".^[1] Events July 31 - Hundred Years War: Battle of Cravant - The French army is defeated at Cravant on the banks of the river Yonne. ... // Events foundation of All Souls College, University of Oxford. ... Events January 6 - Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor. ... Events January 6 - Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor. ... The Royal Burgh of Dingwall stinks real bad (Inbhir Pheofharain in Gaelic) is a burgh in the highlands of Scotland. ... Fortrose is a burgh in the Scottish Highlands, located on the Moray Firth, approximately ten kilometres north east of Inverness. ... 18th century illustration of some of the tombs of Oronsay Priory, founded by Domhnalls father John of Islay sometime before 1358. ... Events October 12 - English forces under Thomas Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury besiege Orléans. ... Events May 30, Battle of Lipany in the Hussite Wars Jan van Eyck paints the wedding of Giovanni Arnoflini The Honorable Passing of Arms at the bridge of Obrigo The Portuguese reach Cape Bojador in Western Sahara. ... The Donald Clan Crest. ... 18th century illustration of some of the tombs of Oronsay Priory, founded by Domhnalls father John of Islay sometime before 1358. ... Events January 6 - Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor. ... Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. ... 18th century illustration of some of the tombs of Oronsay Priory, founded by Domhnalls father John of Islay sometime before 1358. ... MacDonald, Lord of the Isles The designation Lord of the Isles (Scottish Gaelic: ), now a Scottish title of nobility, emerged from a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of galleys. ... Events July 31 - Hundred Years War: Battle of Cravant - The French army is defeated at Cravant on the banks of the river Yonne. ... The title Earl of Ross has existed in both Scotland and Ireland, although it is most commonly associated with the former. ... // Events foundation of All Souls College, University of Oxford. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ...

Alexander, the Albany Stewarts and King James

Oil--painting of James I, King of Scots (1406/24-1437).

Inverness Castle, the location of Alexander's first captivity. Although the modern castle is not medieval, the site is.

Alexander inherited his father Domhnall's alliance with King James I of Scotland against the power of the Albany Stewarts, who by the time James returned to Scotland from English captivity in 1424 ruled more of Scotland than King James could. By 1425 James had decided to destroy the Albany Stewarts once and for all. In May of this year, Alexander attended the Stirling parliament which in the end ordered the execution of Murdoch (Muireadhach), Duke of Albany, along with his son Alexander and his ally Donnchadh, Earl of Lennox. However, the destruction of the Albany Stewarts removed the main reason for the co-operation between the King and the Lord of the Isles.^[2] It is possible that, as Michael Brown believes, James acknowledged Alexander's control of the earldom of Ross as a reward for his support against Albany, as in 1426 Alexander used the style "Master of the Earldom of Ross".^[3] However, Richard Oram takes a different view, and sees Alexander's adoption of this title and occupation of much of the earldom as a provocation towards James, since it had past to him after the death of John Stewart, Earl of Buchan and Ross in 1424, and James was legally entitled the hold the earldom. Alexander's use of this title, if it were provocation, would have been compunded in the king's mind by the fact that Alexander's uncle John Mór was harbouring and protecting James Mór (or James the Fat), the son of Duke Murdoch, while James Mór was claiming James' throne.^[4] Image File history File linksMetadata James_I_of_Scotland. ... Image File history File linksMetadata James_I_of_Scotland. ... James I (December 10, 1394 – February 21, 1437) reigned as King of Scots from April 4, 1406 until February 21, 1437. ... The Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland, as used before 1603 // The monarch of Scotland was the head of state of the Kingdom of Scotland. ... Events Construction of Forbidden City begins in Beijing. ... Events August 17 - Battle of Verneuil - An English force under John, Duke of Bedford defeats a larger French army under the Duke of Alençon, John Stuart, and Earl Archibald of Douglas. ... // Events foundation of All Souls College, University of Oxford. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1152x864, 393 KB) Inverness castle, in Inverness, Scotland. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1152x864, 393 KB) Inverness castle, in Inverness, Scotland. ... Inverness Castle Inverness Castle Inverness Castle Today Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. ... James I (December 10, 1394 – February 21, 1437) reigned as King of Scots from April 4, 1406 until February 21, 1437. ... Duke of Albany is a peerage title that has occasionally been bestowed on the youngers sons in the Scottish and later the British Royal Family, particularly in the Houses of Stuart and Hanover. ... Events August 17 - Battle of Verneuil - An English force under John, Duke of Bedford defeats a larger French army under the Duke of Alençon, John Stuart, and Earl Archibald of Douglas. ... Events Foundation of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium Births John II, Duke of Lorraine (died 1470) Edmund Sutton, English nobleman (died 1483) Deaths January 18 - Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March, English politician (born 1391) March 17 - Ashikaga Yoshikazu, Japanese shogun (born 1407) May 24 - Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of... Murdoch Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany (1362 – 24 May 1425) was a Scottish nobleman who inherited the Dukedom of Albany in 1420, but was convicted and executed for treason five years later. ... Events March 6 - Battle of St. ... Richard Oram is a Scottish historian and freelance author. ... John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Buchan, (c. ... Events August 17 - Battle of Verneuil - An English force under John, Duke of Bedford defeats a larger French army under the Duke of Alençon, John Stuart, and Earl Archibald of Douglas. ...

Captivity

At any rate, the king had certainly adopted a more hostile attitude towards Alexander. In 1428, James travelled into the north of Scotland both to assert his authority in Ross and to bring order to the north. James requested a meeting with Alexander, and in August Alexander travelled in good faith to meet James at Inverness, where James was holding court. James however, in an act typical of his kingship, imprisoned Alexander, his mother Mariota (by whose lineage Alexander claimed Ross) and around fifty of his followers, including his uncle and heir-designate John Mór, in the tower of Inverness Castle. Included among the other prisoners were Alexander's most important Ross allies; men such as Aonghas Dubh MacAoidh, the chief of the MacKays of Strathnaver, a man who was reputed to have a warband 4000 strong; a prisoner also was Aonghas' son Niall Óg, the husband of the daughter of the head of the Foulis Munro kindred of Easter Ross, one of Ross' most important families. The head of the Munros himself, George Munro, may also have been arrested, but if he was he was quickly released. William Leslie and John de Ross of Balnagown, two important landowners and kinsmen of Mariota, were also imprisoned, as were the heads of the Wester Ross Lochalsh MacMhathain (Matheson) and the Kintail MacChoinnich (MacKenzie) kindreds. Most of these men, including John Mór, seem to have been released within a short time, although James took a few back to the south with him.^[5] Events October 12 - English forces under Thomas Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury besiege Orléans. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Inverness (Inbhir Nis in Scottish Gaelic) is the only city in the Highland council area and the Highlands of Scotland. ... Inverness Castle Inverness Castle Inverness Castle Today Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. ... MacKay Crest The Clan Mackay is an ancient and once powerful Scottish clan from the countrys far north in the Scottish Highlands, but with roots in the old province of Moray. ... Strathnaver or Strath Naver (Scottish Gaelic, Srath Nabhair) is the valley or strath of the River Naver, Scotland, in the Sutherland area of Highland. ... Image:FoulisCastleSide. ... Munro Crest: Dread God (Fear God) and a Golden Eagle Clan Munro is a Highland Scottish clan. ... Easter Ross is a loosely defined area in the east of the administrative county of Ross and Cromarty. ... Wester Ross is a western area of Ross and Cromarty, notably containing the villages on the west coast such as: Lochcarron Applecross Shieldaig Torridon Kinlochewe (inland) Gairloch Poolewe Aultbea Ullapool Achiltibuie See Also Easter Ross Ross-shire Ross and Cromarty Categories: Scotland geography stubs ... Kyle of Lochalsh is a small village on the North-West coast of Scotland, which developed in the late 19th century with the arrival of the railway. ...

According to Michael Brown and the 17th century History of the MacDonalds, James attempted to do a deal with John Mór, probably offering him the Lordship of the Isles, to which he was heir and and for which he had revolted against his brother Domhnall decades before. John however refused to negotiate until Alexander was released. Furthermore, King James' plans met disaster when his messenger James Campbell attempted to arrest "Johannis de Insulis" and killed him in the attempt. King James tried to distance himself from the killing, and had Campbell hanged. Before the end of 1428. Alexander was released on a promise of good behaviour.^[6]

War against the King

18th century illustration of depictions of west-highland warriors on some of the tombs of Oronsay Priory, founded by Alexander's grandfather John of Islay, Lord of the Isles sometime before 1358.

Almost as soon as he was released, Alexander was at war with the king. Domhnall Ballach ("the Freckled"), son of John Mór, may have been seeking revenge for his father's death, and if this was the case, he was supported by Alasdair Carrach ("the Curly"), Lord of Lochaber. Together, these two men, the two most important nobles in the lordship, probably helped pressure Alexander into war. In Spring 1429, Alexander's forces advanced on Inverness. Although Maol Choluim Mac an Tóisich ("Malcolm MacKintosh"), head of Clan Chattan and custodian of the castle, managed to hold Alexander off, Alexander was still able to burn down the burgh. Alexander, meanwhile, was planning to support James Mór, son of Duke Murdoch, in his claim on the Scottish throne. James Mór had become a serious threat to King James, not merely because was he likely to have the support of Murdoch's former vassals in Lennox, Menteith and Fife, but also because he had obtained the backing of the King of England, who was angry that King James was ignoring his superior status and the terms of his release from captivity in England several years before. Now James Mór had the support of Alexander too.^[7] Oronsay is a small island south of Colonsay in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. ... 18th century illustration of some of the tombs of Oronsay Priory, founded by John of Islay sometime before 1358. ... Events Jacquerie. ... Lochaber (Scottish Gaelic, Loch Abar) refers to a large area of the central and western Scottish Highlands. ... January 10 - Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, founds the European Order of the Golden Fleece February 12 - Battle of Rouvray (or of the Herrings). English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army of William de la Pole, 4th Earl of Suffolk at... A castellan was the governor or caretaker of a castle or keep. ... A sign in Linlithgow, Scotland. ... Lennox may refer to: District of Lennox, Scotland Lennox, California Lennox, South Dakota Lennox County, Ontario Picton, Lennox and Nueva, Chile Any person who has held the title of Duke of Lennox Lennox, a fictional Duke of Lennox in Macbeth Annie Lennox, a popular 80s music artist This is... Menteith or Monteith, a district of south Perthshire, Scotland, roughly comprises the territory between the Teith and the Forth. ... Fife (Fìobh in Gaelic) is a council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with landward boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire. ...

At this point, however, James was saved by the sudden death of his rival. As the Annals of the Four Masters reports: Signature page from the Annals of the Four Masters Entry for A.D. 432 The Annals of the Four Masters or the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history. ...

Semus Stiuard Mac Rígh Alban, & rioghdhamhna Alban beos iarna indarbadh a h-Albain i n-Erinn do écc, iar t-techt loingis ó fheraibh Alban for a chend dia Ríoghadh.[8]

James Stuart, son of the King of Scotland, and Roydamna of Scotland, who had been banished from Scotland to Ireland, died, after the arrival of a fleet from the men of Scotland to convey him home, that he might be made king.[9]

In the summer, King James raised a large army and after a swift march north through Atholl and Badenoch, the royal army encountered Alexander somewhere around the borders of Lochaber and Badenoch. Although according to Walter Bower Alexander had 10,000 men, when the royal standard was unfurled the Chattan and Cameron kindreds switched over to the King. In the following engagement Alexander was defeated. Although Alexander got away, the king capitalized on his victory by marching further north and seizing the castles of Urquhart and Dingwall. The king now sought Alexander's capture, and sent an expedition armed with artillery into the Hebrides. Alexander, who had probably fled to Islay, found himself in a very difficult position, and on August 27, 1429 surrendered to King James at Holyrood Abbey, near the burgh of Edinburgh. King James was persuaded by his magnates to give Alexander grace, and sent him to Tantallon Castle under the custody of William Douglas, 2nd Earl of Angus, King James' nephew.^[10] The Highlands district of Atholl or Athole in the north of Perthshire in Scotland lies between Braemar, Badenoch, Breadalbane and Lochaber. ... Badenoch, a district of south-east Inverness-shire in Scotland, bounded on the north by the Monadhliath mountains, on the east by the Cairngorms and Braemar, on the south by Atholl and the Grampians, and on the west by Lochaber. ... Walter Bower or Bowmaker (1385-1449), Scottish chronicler, was born about 1385 at Haddington, East Lothian. ... // History Clan Cameron is a Highland Scottish clan, with two main branches; that of Lochiel, and that of Erracht. ... Urquhart Castle, main tower Urquhart Castle (, ; Ordnance Survey Grid reference NH530286) sits beside Loch Ness in Scotland along the A82 road, between Fort William and Inverness. ... The Royal Burgh of Dingwall stinks real bad (Inbhir Pheofharain in Gaelic) is a burgh in the highlands of Scotland. ... Historically, artillery (from French artillerie) refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ... Islay shown within Argyll. ... August 27 is the 239th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (240th in leap years), with 126 days remaining. ... January 10 - Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, founds the European Order of the Golden Fleece February 12 - Battle of Rouvray (or of the Herrings). English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army of William de la Pole, 4th Earl of Suffolk at... Image:Holrodab. ... Edinburgh (pronounced ; Dùn Èideann () in Scottish Gaelic) is the capital of Scotland and its second-largest city. ... Tantallon Castle is located 3 miles east of North Berwick in Scotland. ...

Second captivity

Tantallon Castle, the location of Alexander's second captivity.

While he had Alexander in custody, King James delegated the northern campaign to Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, with more minor roles going to Maol Choluim Mac an Tóisich, Alexander Seton of Gordon, Hugh Fraser and Aonghas de Moravia. James would never again return to Ross or Moray. Mar was given support in his role as Lieutenant when Alan Stewart, the second son of Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, was made Earl of Caithness in Spring 1430. The royal earldoms of Buchan and Ross, and the castle of Urquhart were put under Mar's control; by 1431 the lordship of Lochaber, held by Alasdair Carrach, was assigned to Mar's command; and by 1432 Mar had received papal dispensation to marry Margaret Seton, the mother of the heiresses to the earldom of Moray, which he would administer on their behalf. James, moreover, arranged a marriage between Lachlan MacLean, captain of the MacLeans of Duart, an important vassal kindred of the Lordship of the Isles, to Mar's daughter, bringing Mar's influence into the Lordship of the Isles itself. In 1431 Aonghas de Moravia was sent on a campaign against Aonghas Dubh MacAoidh in Strathnaver. However the main campaign was in Lochaber, where Mar hoped to make his status as Lord of Lochaber a reality. In both campaigns, however, the results were defeats for the king's forces. At the Battle of Inverlochy Mar's forces were met by both Domhnall Ballach and Alasdair Carrach of Lochaber; although Mar managed to make a long escape on foot back to Kildrummy Castle, the Earl of Caithness and 990 men were slain. In Strathnaver, at the Battle of Drum na Coup, Aonghas Dubh MacAoidh was also victorious over royal forces. Both defeats were incurred before September 1431. James' first reaction was to raise taxes, taxes which were granted on October 16, in order to deliver a counter-attack; but this revenue was insufficient and James had other problems to deal with. King James therefore arranged a reconciliation with Alexander, who was pardoned for past offences and released from captivity.^[11] Tantallon Castle is located 3 miles east of North Berwick in Scotland. ... Alexander Stewart (c. ... The title Earl of Caithness has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland, and has a very complex history. ... // Events May 23 - Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne The Ottoman Empire captures Thessalonica from the Venetians First use of optical methods in the creation of Art A map of Europe in 1430. ... Events February 21 - The trial of Joan of Arc March 3 - Eugenius IV becomes Pope May 30 - In Rouen, France, 19-year old Joan of Arc is burned at the stake. ... Events June 1 - Battle of San Romano - Florence defeats Siena foundation of Université de Caen In the end of the Hook and Cod wars, Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut and Holland is forced by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, to abdicate all her estates in his favour; end of Hainaut... The title Earl of Moray (pronounced Murry) has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland. ... The term Battle of Inverlochy may refer to: Battle of Inverlochy (1431) Battle of Inverlochy (1645) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Kildrummy Castle is a ruined castle near Kildrummy, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years). ...

Alexander, Earl of Ross

The seal of Alexander. It includes his arms, which contains the arms of the Lordship of the Isles and the Earldom of Ross, surrounded by a royal tressure, indicating Alexander's royal blood as the grandson of King Robert II of Scotland.

Alexander would never again be the king's enemy, and remained subdued for the next few years. Luck, however, was on Alexander's side. The earl of Mar was in either his fifties or sixties, and his son and heir Thomas had already died in 1430.^[12] When the earl himself died in 1435, James' settlement in the north collapsed. James was in Mar by June 1436, where he was taking control of the earldom. It was probably in this time that James finally acknowledged Alexander as earl of Ross, the only magnate who could now offer security in the north-eastern Highlands. Alexander not only received control of Dingwall, but Inverness too, which he would hold until at least 1447. Morever, the Ross earldom came with Kincardine in the Mearns, Kingedward in Buchan and Greenan in Ayrshire. By January 1437 Alexander was styling himself "Earl of Ross" in his charters, and this style was acknowledged in royal documents by 1439. Finally, by February 1439, Alexander had been appointed Justiciar of Scotia, an office which made Alexander the chief legal official in the Kingdom of Scotland.^[13] Seal on envelope A seal is an impression printed on, embossed upon, or affixed to a document (or any other object) in order to authenticate it, in lieu of or in addition to a signature. ... Robert II (March 2, 1316 – April 19, 1390), king of Scotland, called the Steward, a title that gave the name to the House of Stewart (or Stuart). ... For other uses, see number 1435. ... Marr is a committee area in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. ... Events April - Paris is recaptured by the French End of the Hussite Wars in Bohemia. ... Events March 6 - Nicholas V becomes Pope. ... Kincardine or Kincardine-on-Forth is a small town located on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, in Fife, Scotland. ... Kincardineshire, also known as The Mearns (from A Mhaoirne meaning The Stewartry) is a traditional county on the coast of Northeast Scotland. ... Buchan comprises a traditional area and earldom of north-eastern Scotland. ... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ... Events Battle of Grotnik, which ended the hussite movement in Poland Eric of Pomerania, King of Sweden, Denmark and Norway is declared deposed in Sweden. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Capital Edinburgh Government Monarchy Head of State King of Scots Parliament Parliament of Scotland Currency Pound Scots This article is about the historical state called the Kingdom of Scotland (843-1707). ...

Having achieved the chief object of his career, Alexander spent the last decade of his life consolidating his position in Ross. His charters seem to indicated that he was chiefly based at the castles of Dingwall and Inverness, and rarely anywhere else. The large amount of charters issued by Alexander at Inverness is probably explained by his role as Justiciar of Scotia. Alexander's move east led to less direct lordship in the west, his original political heartland. Alexander's bastard sons Uisdean ("Hugh") and Gilleasbaig ("Celestine") were given Sleat and Lochalsh respectively, Domhnall Ballach became more independent in Islay and Kintyre, the MacLeod kindred took greater control in Skye and Lewis, the MacLean greater control in Mull and the MacKintosh greater control in Lochaber.^[14] Sleat is a peninsula on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. ... Kintyre shown within Argyll Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland in the south-west of Argyll. ... Looking towards Quiraing, Skye. ... Visit and Contribute to the Scottish Gaelic Wikipedia. ... Tobermory with 700 people, the largest settlement on Mull, is home to the only whisky distillery on the island. ...

Alexander MacDonald of Islay died at Dingwall in May 1449. He was buried in Fortrose Cathedral. Alexander had two partners with whom he fathered offspring. The daughter of MacPhee produced a number of bastard sons, and Elizabeth, the daughter of Alexander Seton, lord of Gordon and Huntly, produced John, who succeeded Alexander aged only fifteen. Huntly may refer to: Huntly, New Zealand Huntly, Scotland This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Notes

References

• Boardman, Stephen, The Campbells, 1250-1513, (Edinburgh, 2006)
• Brown, Michael, James I, (East Linton, 1994)
• MacDougall, Norman, "Achilles' Heel? The Earldom of Ross, the Lordship of the Isles, and the Stewart Kings, 1449-1507", in Edward J. Cowan & R. Andrew McDonald (eds.), Alba: Celtic Scotland in the Medieval Era, (Edinburgh, 2000), pp. 248-75
• Oram, Richard, "The Lordship of the Isles, 1336-1545", in Donald Omand (ed.) The Argyll Book, (Edinburgh, 2005), pp. 123-39

Richard Oram is a Scottish historian and freelance author. ...

External links

• Annals of the Four Masters @ CELT (trans)

	Lords of the Isles, 1336-1493 Eion I a Íle (John I) • Dómhnall a Íle (Donald) • Alasdair a Íle (Alexander) • Eion II a Íle (John II)
something	See also Aonghas Óg • Dómhnall Dubh