700th Anniversary of Battle of Bannockburn.
Clan Donald Celebrate - 9 JULY 2014 "THERE IS JOY WITH CLAN DONALD". TWO CONCERTS AT THE CLAN DONALD CENTRE, ARMADALE, ISLE OF SKYE. "Ceol Righ Innse Gall" TRIBUTE TO ANGUS OG MACDONALD, k 1318 "The noble and high chief of the Innse Gall" "We gather here to celebrate, not only the permanent attribution of Angus Og’s burial monument, but to salute his significant, historical role in the famous Bannockburn victory, 1314. And, right here next to his inspiring replica monument, we honour his noble lineage in the ancient, ritual manner {chanting of his ancestry back to "Conn of the 100 Battles" – as was believed and always done, accompanied by harp during the ritual burials of the Lords of The Isles in the ancestral tomb, St Oran's Chapel – item 2}." YOUTUBE : LAST PERFORMANCE ITEM IN THE 'MUSEUM OF THE ISLES'. With the concert opening address and context provided in comments. Video finishes with closing remarks and thanks by The Right Honourable Godfrey James Macdonald of Macdonald, 8th Lord. {Video above) Item No 7. POEM WITH HARP: Fìor mo Mholadh ar Mhac Dhomhnaill ; MacMhuirich (c.1450).
“True My Praising of MacDhòmhnaill, hero I’m bound to, hero of every conflict”. This short but vivid poem was composed for Eòin {mac Alasdair} MacDhòmhnaill, †1503, last Lord of the Isles, in connection with his inauguration, c.1450. The poet is said to have “sung these words” to certify Clan Domhnaill’s determination to stand firm against their enemies, with Eòin as their leader. [more clarsach/harp video by : simonmchadwick ]
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Click large photo above; enlarge all
“CEOL RIGH INNSE GALL” Of the "Royal Family of MacDonald, formerly Kings of the Western parts of Scotland and the Isles [Innse Gall].” {W. Sacherverell Esq., Governor of Mann, 1688.} A programme of the Gaelic poetry/song and music associated with the MacDonald Lords of the Isles. Genre :- ‘High Medieval’, gaelic music revival. Secular. An emerging model of historically informed and performance based research of chanting style poetry recitation {Canntaireachd} and bardic harp revival {not later folk or ‘traditional’ music}. The recitation/singing of near contemporary poems to be framed by other song and ‘pìobaireachd’ instrumental music that has historical connections to the Lords of the Isles. 'Bardic verses traditionally celebrated the (Clarsach) harp and made no mention of bagpipes. Aristocratic Scottish Gaelic Ceòl Mór harp repertoire and practices began to transfer across from the harp to the bagpipes in the 16th century. By the mid-17th century, bagpipes were grafted onto existing structures of aristocratic cultural patronage and aesthetic appreciation and became the primary Ceòl Mór instrument, appropriating and supplanting the high cultural and musical role of the harp' ( Proff Hugh Cheape} . Context :- The Bannockburn700 Centenary celebrations and Chief Angus Og's recently attributed graveslab, Iona, by Historic Scotland, 2013. The only attributed graveslab of any Lord of the Isles - for the Bannockburn famous Angus Og, son of Lord Angus {mor} mac Domnill de Yle, as inscribed on the monument's epitaph. Ian Macdonnell, Creator, Producer. 9 July 2014 |
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19 April 2013 :- Project Director, Battle of Bannockburn Project, National Trust Scotland gave confirmation to Ian Macdonnell that :- "The Academic Panel and the NTS share your view of the significant part which Angus Og took in the battle."
"I am writing to reassure you that the 'prominent part' which Angus Og MacDonald took at the Battle of Bannockburn will be given the appropriate relative emphasis in the new permanent interpretation." NTS have initiated exciting and innovative multi-user, multi-media inter-active experiences promoting Angus Og's significance. "This experience will prominently feature and visualise Angus Og MacDonald’s army." See the full reply on the right. [NB : When I was at the NTS Bannockburn Centre in 2006 I could not find anything at all on Angus Og. And, Domhnall Mac Daibhidh; 1 July 2013 :- "That's fantastic news. The last time I was at Bannockburn [old centre] I noticed Angus Og was missing completely from their film." Charlie Allan, Chief Exec., Clan Ranald Trust, Duncarron Village {Chief of Combat International and the Scottish Federation of Medieval Martial Arts has the major role in the Bannockburn Battle 2014 re-enactment. Wrote to me 24/4/2013:- "Well that is a change. Yes I knew there were drastic changes to the interpretation too." ]
26 April 2013 :- Graveslab No. 150, Iona. After seven years of my original work from 2006 and numbers of substantial submissions to Historic Scotland, they have now agreed :- "It has been identified as a memorial to Angus Og (‘young Angus’) who died in 1314-18. He was renowned as the leader of the Islesmen force which played a vital role in the Battle of Bannockburn in support of Robert Bruce" {Summarised from the 26/4/2013 reply to me of the confirmation by Peter Yeoman, Head of Cultural Services Historic Scotland, incorporating views of Dr D. Caldwell, consultant expert.}
RESULT : TEMPORARY SIGN AT SLAB IN CLOISTER, JULY 2014. SLAB NO. 150 TO BE MOVED TO ST ORAN'S CHAPEL IN NEAR FUTURE WITH FULL SIGNAGE.
29 Aug 2013 :- Historic Scotland letter to me, responding on behalf of the First Minister, Mr Alex Salmond :- "We will of course be pleased to acknowledge the pivotal role of your research, in highlighting the association of slab 150 with Angus Og, in the [Iona Abbey] site guidebook." The attribution reversal of Iona slab No. 150 back to Lord Angus Og MacDonald, k.1318, after it being incorrectly removed in 1977 by RCAHMS and reinforced in 2001 by Historic Scotland, is solely due to the essential research and analysis of Ian Macdonnell over 2006 to 2012. Published in “Clan Donald and Iona Abbey 1200-1500”; Iona Research Conf. Submission 2012; 2nd Ed 2012 ; And enhanced, updated on :-
http://www.ionaabbeyandclandonald.com/index.html
RESULT : ACKNOWLEDGED IN CREDITS IN THE NEW 2014 OFFICIAL IONA GUIDEBOOK.
(Including, eg, p.39, giving the positions of burials for Somerled and his son, Abbey
founder, Reginald, "deposito ad sanctos", on each side of the alter in St Oran's Chapel.)
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An unsolicited review/report by Dr Ian Macdonald, Fortrose. ANGUS OG MACDONALD. 1. IONA GRAVESLAB No. 150 RETURNED TO HIM. 2. HIS PROMINENT AND VITAL ROLE BANNOCKBURN 1314 NOW OFFICIALLY RECOGNISED. The report speaks for itself. Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands. {News 8, Autumn 2013.}
"I am writing to reassure you that the 'prominent part' which Angus Og MacDonald took at the Battle of Bannockburn will be given the appropriate relative emphasis in the new permanent interpretation." NTS have initiated exciting and innovative multi-user, multi-media inter-active experiences promoting Angus Og's significance. "This experience will prominently feature and visualise Angus Og MacDonald’s army." See the full reply on the right. [NB : When I was at the NTS Bannockburn Centre in 2006 I could not find anything at all on Angus Og. And, Domhnall Mac Daibhidh; 1 July 2013 :- "That's fantastic news. The last time I was at Bannockburn [old centre] I noticed Angus Og was missing completely from their film." Charlie Allan, Chief Exec., Clan Ranald Trust, Duncarron Village {Chief of Combat International and the Scottish Federation of Medieval Martial Arts has the major role in the Bannockburn Battle 2014 re-enactment. Wrote to me 24/4/2013:- "Well that is a change. Yes I knew there were drastic changes to the interpretation too." ]
26 April 2013 :- Graveslab No. 150, Iona. After seven years of my original work from 2006 and numbers of substantial submissions to Historic Scotland, they have now agreed :- "It has been identified as a memorial to Angus Og (‘young Angus’) who died in 1314-18. He was renowned as the leader of the Islesmen force which played a vital role in the Battle of Bannockburn in support of Robert Bruce" {Summarised from the 26/4/2013 reply to me of the confirmation by Peter Yeoman, Head of Cultural Services Historic Scotland, incorporating views of Dr D. Caldwell, consultant expert.}
RESULT : TEMPORARY SIGN AT SLAB IN CLOISTER, JULY 2014. SLAB NO. 150 TO BE MOVED TO ST ORAN'S CHAPEL IN NEAR FUTURE WITH FULL SIGNAGE.
29 Aug 2013 :- Historic Scotland letter to me, responding on behalf of the First Minister, Mr Alex Salmond :- "We will of course be pleased to acknowledge the pivotal role of your research, in highlighting the association of slab 150 with Angus Og, in the [Iona Abbey] site guidebook." The attribution reversal of Iona slab No. 150 back to Lord Angus Og MacDonald, k.1318, after it being incorrectly removed in 1977 by RCAHMS and reinforced in 2001 by Historic Scotland, is solely due to the essential research and analysis of Ian Macdonnell over 2006 to 2012. Published in “Clan Donald and Iona Abbey 1200-1500”; Iona Research Conf. Submission 2012; 2nd Ed 2012 ; And enhanced, updated on :-
http://www.ionaabbeyandclandonald.com/index.html
RESULT : ACKNOWLEDGED IN CREDITS IN THE NEW 2014 OFFICIAL IONA GUIDEBOOK.
(Including, eg, p.39, giving the positions of burials for Somerled and his son, Abbey
founder, Reginald, "deposito ad sanctos", on each side of the alter in St Oran's Chapel.)
_________________________________________
An unsolicited review/report by Dr Ian Macdonald, Fortrose. ANGUS OG MACDONALD. 1. IONA GRAVESLAB No. 150 RETURNED TO HIM. 2. HIS PROMINENT AND VITAL ROLE BANNOCKBURN 1314 NOW OFFICIALLY RECOGNISED. The report speaks for itself. Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands. {News 8, Autumn 2013.}
CLAN DONALD'S HIGH COUNCIL TOUR
BANNOCKBURN BATTLE 2014. Registration Form June 23 - 30, 2014! We will go to Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye, The Royal Highland Show, etc, and attend Bannockburn Live, commemorating the 700th Anniversary of one of Scotland's most significant battles, the Battle of Bannockburn! Bannockburn 2014 is NOT just any Scottish battle re-enactment, NOT just another "independance" centenary, NOT just another promotion of The Bruce. >>> IN 2014, FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME <<< THE BANNOCKBURN BATTLE CENTENARY IS HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT FOR THE "WORLD MIGHTY" CLAN DONALD, WITH PERMANENT AND DUE RECOGNITION FOR LORD ANGUS OG MACDONALD AND HIS ISLESMEN FORCES - "Renowned as the leader of the Islesmen force which played a vital role in the Battle of Bannockburn in support of Robert Bruce" |
![]() The Right Honourable Godfrey James Macdonald of Macdonald, 8th Lord Macdonald, Chief of the Name and Arms of Macdonald, High Chief of Clan Donald and 34th hereditary Chief of Clan Donald.
Clan Donald is the largest and oldest of all the Highland clans, and the only one to have a High Chief and subsidiary Chiefs in their own right
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THIS QUESTION IS A VALID ONE
WOULD THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN A BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN 1314 AND HENCE SCOTLAND'S INDEPENDENCE, IF THE BRUCE WAS NOT 'SHELTERED' AND PROTECTED IN 1306-07 BY ANGUS OG MACDONALD OF ISLAY , “SYR ANGUS OF ILE”?
1306-07. "Most important of all, is the fact that Bruce was supported in this critically dangerous period by Angus Og MacDonald of Islay"... So much for the facts which are not in dispute,..." The MacDonald's control of Islay and Kintyre was of crucial importance in 1306-07, and so too, in all probability, were their connections with Northern Ireland". Geoffrey Wallis Steuart Barrow; DLitt FBA, FRSE, Honorary FSA Scot. Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh, and arguably the most prominent Scottish medievalist of the last century. [1. i]
"From that day Angus Og of Isla, and with him the MacRuaris of Garmoran, were closely associated with Bruce in the task of vindicating the independence of Scotland." {'CLAN DONALD'; VOL 1; p.95}.
"In the events of 23-24 June 1314, Argyll and the Isles {"leader Angus Og MacDonald"}, had a considerable {'key'} role to play". Dr. MacDonald RA; [1. ii]; pps 183, 184; 1997.
"AS ONE OF ROBERT BRUCE'S LIEUTENANTS, ANGUS OG TOOK A PROMINENT PART IN THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN" [2] - Royal Commission : RCAHMS; p203; 1977].
NB: Contrast the consistency of the previous two academically sound, authenticated and independent corroborating statements, to what is in a supposedly "solid, academic" current Wikipedia article on Bannockburn 1314 - ie, nothing, on "Argyll and the Isles" and Angus Og playing a considerable or prominent role. When PROMINENT {as 'big, important'} synonyms are either :- consequential, considerable, influential, leading, momentous, paramount, powerful, principal, prominent, significant, substantial, valuable. This inexplicable exclusion of one of the four "prominent" Lieutenants of Robert The Bruce, that is, Angus Og and his (5?) thousand men is however nothing new. Witness : "A history of the Battle of Bannockburn, fought A.D. 1314 : with notices of the principal warriors who engaged in that conflict"; Biographical Notices of Scottish Warriors; Contents, xviii. White, Robert; 1871. Nothing on Angus Og.
[NB : When I was at the Bannockburn Centre in 2006 I could not find anything on Angus Og. "Angus Og was missing completely from their film." The more recent BBC Factual's "History of Scotland", an extensive 10 part series presented by Neil Oliver {2009 - "Bishop makes King" S1, E3; @ 34.20 min. mark} "using the very latest in historical research and bringing a fresh perspective", does not mention the prominent lieutenant of Robert Bruce, the vital leader of the significant Islesmen force, Angus Og, or the "Mac Donalds" in the episode covering the battle of Bannockburn {but mentioned Edward Bruce, James Douglas, Thomas Randolph {1st Earl of Moray}. But note, Video; Highland Clans : MacDonald; 2007, Episode 2 - MacDonald (2/3); @ 3.05 min. mark. Paul Murton, Timeline Films {for BBC One}; "MacDonalds played a vital role at the most pivotal moment in Scottish history. The Scots victory came about because of the close relationship that existed between the King of Scotland and MacDonald Clan Chief, Angus Og".]
Today, the size and "formidable military strength" of Clan Donald even in the early 14th century is a difficult concept for most to understand. And what's more, the fundamental Irish connection of the Clan is 'alien' and under rated by most. "In the century from the 1280's, this world [the Isles], and not the heartlands of the Scottish Kingdom, would represent the the most dynamic and assertive power-base in the northern British Isles" ["Wars of Scotland, 1214-1371"; Michael Brown; p.88; 2004].
One aspect that appears to be missing from the Bannockburn battle analyses so far is :-
The Norse{Gall}-Gael Clan Donald was a well developed military organisation, also having a business enterprise with specific experience of contracting fully trained and equipped heavy infantry "battles" {<80 spars} of professional mailed axemen ('Gallóglaigh') with their own aristocratic, hereditary Constables as Commanders to the Irish Chiefs for over 50 years prior to Bannockburn, 1314. They "formed the elite" of their armies {some as a dowry; AU1286.5 }. Fighting was their trade and profession - "supplying Galloglasses to fight". "The leaders of the Islesmen ruled militarised societies, of which the inhabitants waged war as a profession" [Micheal Brown; 2004]. The Bruce also owned land in Ulster, Ireland and was much involved in this whole milieu - his "pan-gaelic nation". [ Scotland had no standing army until 300 years later [3].]
The highly disciplined, full time professional Galloglaigh were the decisive component in the Gaelic Irish resurgence of the early 14th century and represented the cutting-edge against the Anglo-Norman military machine, which first arrived in Ireland in 1169 {"trained fighting men were introduced - fierce professional foot fighters"; Hayes-McCoy, G; 1937}. In 'order of retreat', their role was as a defensive wall, "a castle of bones" at the rear to buy time {Bannockburn battle array, Friday, 21 June :- interestingly, The Bruce with Angus Og's Islesmen, were the rear-guard; pps 59-60 ["Bannockburn"; Taylor, Christison; Pub'n of Nat. Trust Scotland; 1974]. [4] However, in attack, their function was as "shock troops" -"heavy infantry, select men of great strength and stature" - and "were expected to charge the enemy with extreme aggression". They were noted for wielding the massive, razor sharp, two-handed 6 foot long sparðr axe (a custom noted by Geraldus Cambrensis to have derived from their Norse heritage) - commonly piecing armour and splitting helmets and heads. [5]
"Galloglass were nearly always considered axemen by their contemporaries."
"A wall of axe bearing troops." {Tinnakill Duanaire}
The point is, "Battles of Gallóglaigh Spars", that is, per type of their Hebridean origin, with their renowned "Norse" up to six foot hafted axes {"Galloglach Axe";Hayes-McCoy; 1967] would have been at the Battle of Bannockburn, in the Bruce's 4th Division containing Angus Og's Norse-Gael warriors:-
"They fought as if mad. At these places especially where the Scots saw their enemies most stubborn against them, they laid on with all their might and main, like men out of their minds. Where their blows fell full and straight no armour could stop the strokes. They charged against all they could reach, and with their axes gave blows that clave helmets and heads ["And with axis sic duschys gave, That thai helmys and hedis clave"]; "The Brus"; Barbour, 1375; Book 13, v. 145.
This is a perfect description of the Gall-Ghaidheil Islesmen "Galloglaigh" phenomenon - "when they strike they inflict a dreadful wound"; Stanihurst - "deadly where it lighteth" - Dymmock. [6] This ferocious axing account is the right battle timing and the right Division {4th - reserve} for Angus Og’s Norse–Gael warriors {others were cavalry, archers and spear-schiltrons, including Bruce's Carrick spear men}. Barbour's near contemporary account, acknowledged for a greater degree of historical veracity than is usually associated with the verse-chronicle genre, would not make a highlight of "unstoppable" - "intolerable" axes piercing all the armour they fully struck straight on, if it was only for the less frequent occasion for a small, short, one handed axe {unless you are, The Bruce!}. The case is much strengthened, almost proven beyond doubt, when tied to the fact that "Galloglaigh" were strongly associated with the expedition of both Bruce brothers and Angus Og to Ireland, from just one year later, 1315-1318. Gallo-glaigh/Gallo-glass is an Irish term, but it has a Hebrides origin :- the foreign {ie, part Norse} warrior; the Gall-Ghàidheil of Innsi-Gall. Right to 1600, descendants of the original aristocratic Galloglaigh dynasties {to Ireland 1250-1400} were still referred to as "Scottici" {not referring to Redshanks from c.1450 or 'New Scots' from c.1550}.
AU 1314.2 {recte 1316} : "Roibeat a Briuis, ri Alban, do thecht a n-Erinn maille re galloglachaibh imdhaibh i furtacht Edubaird, a brathar fein, do dhichur Gall a h-Erinn." ["Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, came to Ireland along with many gallowglasses in aid of Edward, his brother, to expel the Foreigners from Ireland."]
11 April 2013.
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[1] i. Barrow, GWS; “Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland, Edinburgh; p.169; p.291; 1965; 4th Ed, 2005.
ii. "It was fortunate, indeed, for Bruce that he had at this dangerous moment such devoted and trustworthy supporters as {1} the MacDonalds, {2} the MacRuaris and {3} the Campbells, for if they had been overawed by Edward's threats, had wavered and had deserted Bruce he would have been captured by the English forces and fallen a victim to Edward's pitiless vengeance". Dr. McDonald, Russell Andrew ; " The Kingdom of the Isles – Scotland’s Western Seaboard c.1100-c.1336; p.174 1997. MacDonald, C; "The History of Argyll"; p.131; 1950.
iii. MacDonalds also effectively controlled Rathlin I., near Ireland, because of their dominant sea power {ie, where Robert The Bruce sheltered after Dunaverty.
[2] DR’S STEER, KA & BANNERMAN, JWM; Published 1977. APPENDIX II, The Lordship of the Isles : Historical Background; p.203. "Late Medieval Monumental Sculpture in the West Highlands” - ROYAL COMMISSION, ETC.
[3] 'Before the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1644, there was no standing army in the Kingdom of Scotland. In the Early Middle Ages war in Scotland was characterised by the use of small war-bands of household troops often engaging in raids and low level warfare. By the High Middle Ages, the kings of Scotland could command forces of tens of thousands of men for short periods as part of the "common army", mainly of poorly armoured spear and bowmen. After the "Davidian Revolution" of the 12th century, which introduced elements of feudalism to Scotland, these forces were augmented by small numbers of mounted and heavily armoured knights. These armies rarely managed to stand up to the usually larger and more professional armies produced by England, but they were used to good effect by Robert I of Scotland at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 to secure Scottish independence.'
[4] Taylor, IC and Christison, AF Philip; "Bannockburn: A Soldier's Appreciation of the Battle"; see pps 59-60; Publication of the National Trust Scotland; 1974.]
[5] Andrew Lang has ordinary freemen, as "common army" Scottish archers, albeit reasonably trained, becoming multi-skilled and switching during battle to "sparths", a regional specialty weapon, abnormally long hafted up to 6 foot, large headed, broad bladed Norse axe of the Islesmen and Galloglaigh. This is not possible - Hayes-McCoy says "much previous training necessary to ensure effectiveness". Most of the pike men had a small axe carried in their belts, so probably also the archers [vita Edw.; p.203]. This error works to diminish Angus Og's "prominent part". [He is "quite wrong" on other aspects; "Bannockburn: A Soldier's Appreciation of the Battle", p.33; Taylor, IC and Christison, AF Philip; Publication of the National Trust Scotland; 1974.]
WOULD THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN A BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN 1314 AND HENCE SCOTLAND'S INDEPENDENCE, IF THE BRUCE WAS NOT 'SHELTERED' AND PROTECTED IN 1306-07 BY ANGUS OG MACDONALD OF ISLAY , “SYR ANGUS OF ILE”?
1306-07. "Most important of all, is the fact that Bruce was supported in this critically dangerous period by Angus Og MacDonald of Islay"... So much for the facts which are not in dispute,..." The MacDonald's control of Islay and Kintyre was of crucial importance in 1306-07, and so too, in all probability, were their connections with Northern Ireland". Geoffrey Wallis Steuart Barrow; DLitt FBA, FRSE, Honorary FSA Scot. Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh, and arguably the most prominent Scottish medievalist of the last century. [1. i]
"From that day Angus Og of Isla, and with him the MacRuaris of Garmoran, were closely associated with Bruce in the task of vindicating the independence of Scotland." {'CLAN DONALD'; VOL 1; p.95}.
"In the events of 23-24 June 1314, Argyll and the Isles {"leader Angus Og MacDonald"}, had a considerable {'key'} role to play". Dr. MacDonald RA; [1. ii]; pps 183, 184; 1997.
"AS ONE OF ROBERT BRUCE'S LIEUTENANTS, ANGUS OG TOOK A PROMINENT PART IN THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN" [2] - Royal Commission : RCAHMS; p203; 1977].
NB: Contrast the consistency of the previous two academically sound, authenticated and independent corroborating statements, to what is in a supposedly "solid, academic" current Wikipedia article on Bannockburn 1314 - ie, nothing, on "Argyll and the Isles" and Angus Og playing a considerable or prominent role. When PROMINENT {as 'big, important'} synonyms are either :- consequential, considerable, influential, leading, momentous, paramount, powerful, principal, prominent, significant, substantial, valuable. This inexplicable exclusion of one of the four "prominent" Lieutenants of Robert The Bruce, that is, Angus Og and his (5?) thousand men is however nothing new. Witness : "A history of the Battle of Bannockburn, fought A.D. 1314 : with notices of the principal warriors who engaged in that conflict"; Biographical Notices of Scottish Warriors; Contents, xviii. White, Robert; 1871. Nothing on Angus Og.
[NB : When I was at the Bannockburn Centre in 2006 I could not find anything on Angus Og. "Angus Og was missing completely from their film." The more recent BBC Factual's "History of Scotland", an extensive 10 part series presented by Neil Oliver {2009 - "Bishop makes King" S1, E3; @ 34.20 min. mark} "using the very latest in historical research and bringing a fresh perspective", does not mention the prominent lieutenant of Robert Bruce, the vital leader of the significant Islesmen force, Angus Og, or the "Mac Donalds" in the episode covering the battle of Bannockburn {but mentioned Edward Bruce, James Douglas, Thomas Randolph {1st Earl of Moray}. But note, Video; Highland Clans : MacDonald; 2007, Episode 2 - MacDonald (2/3); @ 3.05 min. mark. Paul Murton, Timeline Films {for BBC One}; "MacDonalds played a vital role at the most pivotal moment in Scottish history. The Scots victory came about because of the close relationship that existed between the King of Scotland and MacDonald Clan Chief, Angus Og".]
Today, the size and "formidable military strength" of Clan Donald even in the early 14th century is a difficult concept for most to understand. And what's more, the fundamental Irish connection of the Clan is 'alien' and under rated by most. "In the century from the 1280's, this world [the Isles], and not the heartlands of the Scottish Kingdom, would represent the the most dynamic and assertive power-base in the northern British Isles" ["Wars of Scotland, 1214-1371"; Michael Brown; p.88; 2004].
One aspect that appears to be missing from the Bannockburn battle analyses so far is :-
The Norse{Gall}-Gael Clan Donald was a well developed military organisation, also having a business enterprise with specific experience of contracting fully trained and equipped heavy infantry "battles" {<80 spars} of professional mailed axemen ('Gallóglaigh') with their own aristocratic, hereditary Constables as Commanders to the Irish Chiefs for over 50 years prior to Bannockburn, 1314. They "formed the elite" of their armies {some as a dowry; AU1286.5 }. Fighting was their trade and profession - "supplying Galloglasses to fight". "The leaders of the Islesmen ruled militarised societies, of which the inhabitants waged war as a profession" [Micheal Brown; 2004]. The Bruce also owned land in Ulster, Ireland and was much involved in this whole milieu - his "pan-gaelic nation". [ Scotland had no standing army until 300 years later [3].]
The highly disciplined, full time professional Galloglaigh were the decisive component in the Gaelic Irish resurgence of the early 14th century and represented the cutting-edge against the Anglo-Norman military machine, which first arrived in Ireland in 1169 {"trained fighting men were introduced - fierce professional foot fighters"; Hayes-McCoy, G; 1937}. In 'order of retreat', their role was as a defensive wall, "a castle of bones" at the rear to buy time {Bannockburn battle array, Friday, 21 June :- interestingly, The Bruce with Angus Og's Islesmen, were the rear-guard; pps 59-60 ["Bannockburn"; Taylor, Christison; Pub'n of Nat. Trust Scotland; 1974]. [4] However, in attack, their function was as "shock troops" -"heavy infantry, select men of great strength and stature" - and "were expected to charge the enemy with extreme aggression". They were noted for wielding the massive, razor sharp, two-handed 6 foot long sparðr axe (a custom noted by Geraldus Cambrensis to have derived from their Norse heritage) - commonly piecing armour and splitting helmets and heads. [5]
"Galloglass were nearly always considered axemen by their contemporaries."
"A wall of axe bearing troops." {Tinnakill Duanaire}
The point is, "Battles of Gallóglaigh Spars", that is, per type of their Hebridean origin, with their renowned "Norse" up to six foot hafted axes {"Galloglach Axe";Hayes-McCoy; 1967] would have been at the Battle of Bannockburn, in the Bruce's 4th Division containing Angus Og's Norse-Gael warriors:-
"They fought as if mad. At these places especially where the Scots saw their enemies most stubborn against them, they laid on with all their might and main, like men out of their minds. Where their blows fell full and straight no armour could stop the strokes. They charged against all they could reach, and with their axes gave blows that clave helmets and heads ["And with axis sic duschys gave, That thai helmys and hedis clave"]; "The Brus"; Barbour, 1375; Book 13, v. 145.
This is a perfect description of the Gall-Ghaidheil Islesmen "Galloglaigh" phenomenon - "when they strike they inflict a dreadful wound"; Stanihurst - "deadly where it lighteth" - Dymmock. [6] This ferocious axing account is the right battle timing and the right Division {4th - reserve} for Angus Og’s Norse–Gael warriors {others were cavalry, archers and spear-schiltrons, including Bruce's Carrick spear men}. Barbour's near contemporary account, acknowledged for a greater degree of historical veracity than is usually associated with the verse-chronicle genre, would not make a highlight of "unstoppable" - "intolerable" axes piercing all the armour they fully struck straight on, if it was only for the less frequent occasion for a small, short, one handed axe {unless you are, The Bruce!}. The case is much strengthened, almost proven beyond doubt, when tied to the fact that "Galloglaigh" were strongly associated with the expedition of both Bruce brothers and Angus Og to Ireland, from just one year later, 1315-1318. Gallo-glaigh/Gallo-glass is an Irish term, but it has a Hebrides origin :- the foreign {ie, part Norse} warrior; the Gall-Ghàidheil of Innsi-Gall. Right to 1600, descendants of the original aristocratic Galloglaigh dynasties {to Ireland 1250-1400} were still referred to as "Scottici" {not referring to Redshanks from c.1450 or 'New Scots' from c.1550}.
AU 1314.2 {recte 1316} : "Roibeat a Briuis, ri Alban, do thecht a n-Erinn maille re galloglachaibh imdhaibh i furtacht Edubaird, a brathar fein, do dhichur Gall a h-Erinn." ["Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, came to Ireland along with many gallowglasses in aid of Edward, his brother, to expel the Foreigners from Ireland."]
11 April 2013.
______________________________________
[1] i. Barrow, GWS; “Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland, Edinburgh; p.169; p.291; 1965; 4th Ed, 2005.
ii. "It was fortunate, indeed, for Bruce that he had at this dangerous moment such devoted and trustworthy supporters as {1} the MacDonalds, {2} the MacRuaris and {3} the Campbells, for if they had been overawed by Edward's threats, had wavered and had deserted Bruce he would have been captured by the English forces and fallen a victim to Edward's pitiless vengeance". Dr. McDonald, Russell Andrew ; " The Kingdom of the Isles – Scotland’s Western Seaboard c.1100-c.1336; p.174 1997. MacDonald, C; "The History of Argyll"; p.131; 1950.
iii. MacDonalds also effectively controlled Rathlin I., near Ireland, because of their dominant sea power {ie, where Robert The Bruce sheltered after Dunaverty.
[2] DR’S STEER, KA & BANNERMAN, JWM; Published 1977. APPENDIX II, The Lordship of the Isles : Historical Background; p.203. "Late Medieval Monumental Sculpture in the West Highlands” - ROYAL COMMISSION, ETC.
[3] 'Before the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1644, there was no standing army in the Kingdom of Scotland. In the Early Middle Ages war in Scotland was characterised by the use of small war-bands of household troops often engaging in raids and low level warfare. By the High Middle Ages, the kings of Scotland could command forces of tens of thousands of men for short periods as part of the "common army", mainly of poorly armoured spear and bowmen. After the "Davidian Revolution" of the 12th century, which introduced elements of feudalism to Scotland, these forces were augmented by small numbers of mounted and heavily armoured knights. These armies rarely managed to stand up to the usually larger and more professional armies produced by England, but they were used to good effect by Robert I of Scotland at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 to secure Scottish independence.'
[4] Taylor, IC and Christison, AF Philip; "Bannockburn: A Soldier's Appreciation of the Battle"; see pps 59-60; Publication of the National Trust Scotland; 1974.]
[5] Andrew Lang has ordinary freemen, as "common army" Scottish archers, albeit reasonably trained, becoming multi-skilled and switching during battle to "sparths", a regional specialty weapon, abnormally long hafted up to 6 foot, large headed, broad bladed Norse axe of the Islesmen and Galloglaigh. This is not possible - Hayes-McCoy says "much previous training necessary to ensure effectiveness". Most of the pike men had a small axe carried in their belts, so probably also the archers [vita Edw.; p.203]. This error works to diminish Angus Og's "prominent part". [He is "quite wrong" on other aspects; "Bannockburn: A Soldier's Appreciation of the Battle", p.33; Taylor, IC and Christison, AF Philip; Publication of the National Trust Scotland; 1974.]
[6] Barbour :- "They fought as if mad." "The Galloglass' record for self sacrifice on the battlefield is unparalleled in medieval Irish history."

Iron and bronze helmet, County Down.
John Dymmock served Earl of Essex, 1500’s Ireland :- “The Galloglaich are picked and select men of great and mighty bodies, cruel without compassion. The greatest force of the battle consisteth in them, choosing rather to die than to yield, so that when it cometh to hardy blows, they are quickly slain or win the field.”
R. Stanihurst, Anglo-Irish, Inns of Court, c.1570 :- “Tall of stature, big of limb, burly of body, well and strongly timbered” and “of more than ordinary strength of limb.”
R. Stanihurst, Anglo-Irish, Inns of Court, c.1570 :- “Tall of stature, big of limb, burly of body, well and strongly timbered” and “of more than ordinary strength of limb.”
My Bannockburn submissions to:-
[1] National Trust Panel; [2] Parliamentary Committee on Bannockburn 2014. |
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ANGUS OG k.1318. HIS GRAVESLAB - No. 150, IONA ABBEY
To date it has not been unusual to have the "prominent part" played by Lieutenant Angus Og, Clan Donald and the Islesmen excluded from or marginalised in the Battle of Bannockburn accounts. Just as it is usual to have Clan Donald's legacy of medieval Iona Abbey and Cathedral excluded from that history {ie, their essential and continuous role in the three century existence of medieval Iona abbey.} In 1977 Angus Og was dispossessed of his burial monument of 660 years which was in St Oran's Chapel, Iona Abbey and it was incorrectly re-assigned to a nebulous, non entity - in fact, a person non-existent.
STOP PRESS, 26 April 2013 :- Graveslab No. 150, Iona :- "It has been identified as a memorial to Angus Og (‘young Angus’) who died in 1314-18. He was renowned as the leader of the Islesmen force which played a vital role in the Battle of Bannockburn in support of Robert Bruce" {Summarised from the 26/4/2013 reply to me of the confirmation by Peter Yeoman, Head of Cultural Services Historic Scotland, incorporating views of Dr D. Caldwell, consultant expert.}
The attribution reversal of Iona slab No. 150 back to Lord Angus Og MacDonald, k.1318, after it being incorrectly removed in 1977, is due to the essential research and analysis of Ian Macdonnell over 2006 to 2012. Published in “Clan Donald and Iona Abbey 1200-1500”; Iona Research Conf. Submission 2012; 2nd Ed 2012 ; And enhanced, updated on :- http://www.ionaabbeyandclandonald.com/index.html
To date it has not been unusual to have the "prominent part" played by Lieutenant Angus Og, Clan Donald and the Islesmen excluded from or marginalised in the Battle of Bannockburn accounts. Just as it is usual to have Clan Donald's legacy of medieval Iona Abbey and Cathedral excluded from that history {ie, their essential and continuous role in the three century existence of medieval Iona abbey.} In 1977 Angus Og was dispossessed of his burial monument of 660 years which was in St Oran's Chapel, Iona Abbey and it was incorrectly re-assigned to a nebulous, non entity - in fact, a person non-existent.
STOP PRESS, 26 April 2013 :- Graveslab No. 150, Iona :- "It has been identified as a memorial to Angus Og (‘young Angus’) who died in 1314-18. He was renowned as the leader of the Islesmen force which played a vital role in the Battle of Bannockburn in support of Robert Bruce" {Summarised from the 26/4/2013 reply to me of the confirmation by Peter Yeoman, Head of Cultural Services Historic Scotland, incorporating views of Dr D. Caldwell, consultant expert.}
The attribution reversal of Iona slab No. 150 back to Lord Angus Og MacDonald, k.1318, after it being incorrectly removed in 1977, is due to the essential research and analysis of Ian Macdonnell over 2006 to 2012. Published in “Clan Donald and Iona Abbey 1200-1500”; Iona Research Conf. Submission 2012; 2nd Ed 2012 ; And enhanced, updated on :- http://www.ionaabbeyandclandonald.com/index.html
CLAN DONALD HIGH CHIEF'S TOUR
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SUMMARISED 4 PAGE OVERVIEW OF
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Irish Annals, 1318 : "In the same year Lord Edward Bruce is slain in the battle of Dun Delgan, there was killed Mac Domnaill, called king of Airthir-Gaidhil Argyle, together with the slaughter of the Men of Scotland; <......> among whom fell Alexander M<.....>."
DATE OF ANGUS OG'S DEATH, 1318. There is agreement by all scholars and institutions now that Angus Og's demise was between 1314 and 1318 [and he obviously wasn't killed at Bannockburn 1314]. His son and heir Alexander was also killed in 1318 at Dundalk and its patently obvious that Angus Og would have been there as well at the honored "right-hand side" of The Bruce's brother, Edward. [Further detail is below, after the presentations.]
DATE OF ANGUS OG'S DEATH, 1318. There is agreement by all scholars and institutions now that Angus Og's demise was between 1314 and 1318 [and he obviously wasn't killed at Bannockburn 1314]. His son and heir Alexander was also killed in 1318 at Dundalk and its patently obvious that Angus Og would have been there as well at the honored "right-hand side" of The Bruce's brother, Edward. [Further detail is below, after the presentations.]
ANGUS OG'S MONUMENT : SHORT VERSION (4 SLIDE) OF FULL 35 SLIDE PRESENTATION BELOW. .PDF AND POWERPOINT .PPSX (1MB).
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SEE NOTES BELOW AND THE PAGE LINK HERE FOR PROOF OF MOST OF SLIDE 1 DETAIL :- DR’S STEER, KA & BANNERMAN, JWM; Published 1977. APPENDIX II, The Lordship of the Isles : Historical Background; p.203. "Late Medieval Monumental Sculpture in the West Highlands” - ROYAL COMMISSION, ETC.
"LORDS OF THE ISLES - A POEM"
"One effort more and Scotland's free! Lord of the Isles, my trust in thee
Is firm as Ailsa rock; Rush on with Highland sword and targe,
I, with my Carrick spearmen, charge; Now forward to the shock!
At once the spears were forward thrown, Against the sun the broadswords shone;
The pibroch lent its maddening tone, And loud King Robert's voice was known :
"Carrick, press on - they fail, they fail! Press on, brave sons of Innisgall, The foe is fainting fast!"
{Sir Walter Scott; 1815 - and see CLAN DONALD VOL 1}
[This is not a political position on Independence 2014! It is plainly just the historical context.]
Also see "The Brus" : "Being the Metrical History of Robert the Bruce King of Scots
Compiled A.D. 1375 by Master John Barbour Archdeacon of Aberdeen".
"One effort more and Scotland's free! Lord of the Isles, my trust in thee
Is firm as Ailsa rock; Rush on with Highland sword and targe,
I, with my Carrick spearmen, charge; Now forward to the shock!
At once the spears were forward thrown, Against the sun the broadswords shone;
The pibroch lent its maddening tone, And loud King Robert's voice was known :
"Carrick, press on - they fail, they fail! Press on, brave sons of Innisgall, The foe is fainting fast!"
{Sir Walter Scott; 1815 - and see CLAN DONALD VOL 1}
[This is not a political position on Independence 2014! It is plainly just the historical context.]
Also see "The Brus" : "Being the Metrical History of Robert the Bruce King of Scots
Compiled A.D. 1375 by Master John Barbour Archdeacon of Aberdeen".
ANGUS OG, K.1318 - HIS GRAVE-SLAB N0.150 - THE FULL FACTS.
A 35 PowerPoint SLIDE PRESENTATION [PowerPoint .ppsx - 16MB]
A 35 PowerPoint SLIDE PRESENTATION [PowerPoint .ppsx - 16MB]
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NOTES
Irish Annals, 1318 : "In the same year Lord Edward Bruce is slain in the battle of Dun Delgan, there was killed Mac Domnaill, called king of Airthir-Gaidhil Argyle, together with the slaughter of the Men of Scotland; <......> among whom fell Alexander M<.....>."
ANGUS OG KILLED, 1318 - WITH EDWARD BRUCE. There is agreement by all scholars and institutions now that Angus Og's demise was between 1314 and 1318 [and he obviously wasn't killed at Bannockburn 1314]. His son and heir Alexander was also killed in 1318 at Dundalk and its patently obvious that Angus Og would have been there as well at the honored "right-hand side" of The Bruce's brother, Edward - they fought side by side at Bannockburn at the final victory. Also, Angus Og was called the "Prince of the Irish of Scotland" and the only Irish force that genuinely supported Edward Bruce in Ireland was the O'Neills, who were - allies of Angus Og! {see O'Neills in "context" below}. NB : Its a fact that none of five relevant 1318 annals say it was an Alexander "Mac Domhnaill Tigearna Airer Gaoidel", k.1318. Others have misread them - made wrong assumptions by mixing bits of different annals. After a 2/3's missing gap, bottom left column, of nearly five lines in MSS AI 1318.4, he is recorded as "among who fell Alexander M....." - "inter quos corruit Alexander M<... rest is cut off…>"; and, M<ac Domhnaill> is guessed by the Editor. [f/n 1 - explains fully.] This "Alexander M<...>" is patently additional to the "Mac Domhnaill Tigearna Airer Gaoidel". The Irish Annals usually recorded deaths of the Clan Donald Chiefs and there is no other record for the extremely prominent Angus Og, "The Mac Domhnaill", other than 1318, Dundalk - "Mac Domhnaill tigearna Airir Gaoidel". Others agree {incl. RCAHMS [2]}, ie, there is no annal record in or around the 'traditional' death date of 1329 - in fact no other record at all. The period of 1318-1329, is obviously and simply the minority of Lord John I. "There is evidence which suggests that he [John] did not immediately succeed his brother as leader of the Clan Donald" - RCAHMS [f/n 2.] All the evidence points to this period being of at least 9 years.
I see no problem with the consistent period use [c.1247-c.1318] of the Mac Domhnaill gaelic title “ri Airir Gaoidil” (king of the generic “coast of the Gael” = Argyll) given by Irish annalists for eponymous Donald mac Reginald, "mac Somurli", k.1247, especially as the majority now (incl R A McDonald; p.187) have no problem with its use by them for the "Chief of Clan Donald" as 'Mac Domhnaill tigearna Airir Gaoidel' for the death in 1318 at Dundalk [see Donald, Chapter 4]. One known title used by Reginald himself, ie, Angus Og's g/grandfather, was "Dominus de Ergile and Kyntyre" {Latin} - ie, Lord of Argyll and Kintyre {WDH Sellar; "Hebridean Sea-Kings"; 2000}. After Bannockburn, 1314, King Robert granted Angus Og, who already held Kintyre, other large fiefdoms: for example, both his elder brother's holdings, including the islands of Islay and Arran, and much of the holdings of the MacDougalls = "Argyll". Also, this following person could be no other than the Chief of Clan Donald, Angus Og :- “McDonnell Prince of the Irish of Scotland” - k. 1318; Annals of Clonmacnoise, p.281 [NB: Angus Mor's poem, c.1250 :- “Graceful long ships are sailed by thee, thou art like an otter, O scion of Tara”…“There is not in Ireland nor in Scotland an Aonghus like thee, tho graceful form"].
SOME DETAIL OF EVIDENCE :- Clan Donald history has "air-brushed" the period 1318-29 and used 1329 as Angus Og's death to gloss over the fact that serious challenges to the Lordship were made during his son John's minority, possibly by the sons of Alaxandair Og, the then "senior family of Somerled's line by primogeniture" - "CLAN DONALD, VOL 1, p.89". They may have been the real “de Ylay” challengers to the Clan Donald Chiefship who were forfeited 1325, ie, Raghnaill Mac Alaxandair (Og), the indeterminate "Reginald" who "took upon him the sole government of the Isles for 9 years", ie, for most of John's minority :- as per Dr Nicholls incorporating Hugh of Sleat's indeterminate account in "Collectanea de rebus Albanacis", p.292"; in "The World of the Galloglass"; p. 98; Nicholls, Dr K.. Sean Duffy Editor, 2007. It was not a 'certain Ruairi' designated "Roderici de Ylay", ie, designates MacDonald Chief (de Yle), forfeited by Parliament 1325 [for 'usurping the Isles'], whom it is acknowledged by Dr. Bannerman [2] "should therefore be [Chief] of Clan Donald", but he added it was not a normal Clan Donald (Chief's) forename at that time and was probably therefore a 'scribal error' , i.e., it makes more logic as it being Ragnaill de Ile - Raghnaill mac Alaxandair OG]... Dr. Bannerman's f/n 12].
[It simply cannot be Ruairi mac Allan {Clan Ruairidh) the wrongly scribed "Roderici de Ylay" as he was killed in Ireland in 1318 [Mac Ruaidhri, Ri Innse Gall; clearly the chief Ruari, not a brother] along with Angus Og - they were together at Bannockburn, 1314! And he was not, and never could or should be a "de Ylay" {a Rögnvaldr/Raghnaill error as "Roderici"? But, Raghnaill, "Chief of the McDonnells, who came out of the Isles", could be, or, was at least eligible to be a "de Ylay"/de Yle).
Ruari, 1325 : "What the precise nature of his offence is not recorded"! Ruari is never heard of otherwise after 1318 and there was : "No record of old lands of Ruari being bestowed on another [in 1325]" - their lands were confirmed in 1342 by a new King (David) but this process would have happened irrespective. The sons of Alaxandair OG were certainly 'disinherited' - BUT because of the 1325 forfeiture as above, NOT through Chief Alaxandair OG being so-called deposed in 1308, because that is "the most extraordinary collation of historical untruths" and he was killed in 1299!]
THE CONTEXT : ANGUS OG k.1318 - SON JOHN, A MINOR :- Subsequent events give contextual corroboration that Raghnaill mac Alaxandair OG {ie, Macdonnell} of the "senior line" was "forfeited for usurping the Isles for some 7 years - 1325".
[A] The son of Raghnaill, Eoin (Shane) Maol (John the Bald), was then “expelled from my country” to Ireland by his “consanguines” (cousin) Donald II, some time in mid to late 14th century - "and have been sojourning with O'Neill". This is written in Eoin-John or Schan MacDonyld’s letter, as “Captain of his Nation and Constable of the Irish of Ulster” to King Richard II, from Armagh. This was absolutely not John Mor Tanister, Donald II’s frater, full brother. Eoin Mhoir Tanister was never, at any time, High Constable of Ulster to The O’Neill and neither were any MacAllisters [Clan Allister], ever - complete proof elsewhere. The High Constable is always purely hereditary. It was permanently the Mac Alaxandairs {as very early, normal kin name; sons of Alaxandair OG} ->ie, Macdonnells {then surname} for 300 years - 'If the father hath been a galloglass, the son will be a galloglass". They were called the "MacDomhnaill Galloglach, Clann Alasdair" {Dr. K Simms, TCD}.
[B] Raghnaill's grandson, 1362.8, Annals of Ulster :- "The noble, well-born offspring, to wit, one who was to be king of Insi-Gall {p.521}, namely, the son of John the Black, son of Alexander, Constable of the Fifth of Ulster."
[C] Raghnaill again, "Randolph Mc Alexander {patronymic!} Chief of the McDonnells" {Annals of Clonmacnoise; p.303; not MacAllisters, and still not even as correctly "oighre Cloinne Alaxandair" - M1366.9} was in Ireland 1366 to settle factional feuding between senior and junior branches of the O'Neills, each supported by their respective senior/junior Galloglaigh "mac Alaxandair", ie, Macdonnell Constable/Chief {"Randolph on the one side and his kinsmen, the other McDonnells of the other side" - AND Raghnaill, "Chiefe of the house they were of"}. NB : MacAlisters were never called "MacDonnells", ever, at any stage {even though they are of Clan Domnaill}; plus all the proven descendants of this validated "house" are all Macdonnells! And it is just ludicrous that this Randolph/Raghnaill could be a MacAlister and say "he was Chiefe of the house they were of", ie, a MacAlister, being a Chief of the House of Macdonnell!" Absolute nonsense, and it's about time the MacAlister Clan "came clean" on this. [Their pedigree is seriously flawed]. "Clan Donald VOLS I-III; c.1900" and they misappropriate Raghnaill mac Alaxandair {and his father and his son as a 'set' from these Irish Annals}, ie, House of Macdonnell, as 'Raghnaill MacAlister', their non-existent pedigree no. IV, and they continue to ignore these facts and evidence here {been provided to their historian}. Burke’s Peerage for McAlister of Loup and Kennox, Chief of McAlester has a ‘black hole’ of three generations between [II], Donald and [VI], Ean Dubh 1493, of the pedigree (As evidenced by Lord Lyon). There is no other evidence to fill their three generations gap! Their "III, IV and V" are in fact, the Clan Donald Chief, Alaxandair OG, his son Raghnaill and his son Alexander.
[ NB. "MacDomhnaill Galloglach, Clann Alastair" :
The 1366 Annal of Ulster is entirely consistent with MS 1467 for the (now called) Clan MacAlister {the unnamed clan, "VI", p469}. Contrary to MS 1467 being the "sheet anchor of our genealogical faith - no higher authority" as lauded but then ignored in "Clan Donald VOLS I-III' 1900 genealogy {and these particular MS-1467 "clan" pedigrees agreed to by past Lord Lyon, DHS Sellar}, it in fact provides no such Raghnaill, son of Alexander, son of Donald son of Alasdair MOR - but, does for a Raghnaill, son of Alaxandair OG, son of Angus Mor, son of Donald I, the line of Alaxandair OG {"IV", p.,468} - called then the "Clan Alastair" {just to confuse matters!} but are clearly and unequivocally the Clan Macdonnell Galloglaigh of Tyrone and Armagh, the hereditary High Constables of Ulster to The Great O'Neill for over three centuries (CHART "A).
OTHER EVIDENCE: O’Clery Genealogies; Analecta Hibernica; XVIII; pp.20 ff. The Genelech Meic Domhnaill Galloglaich :- (section 301) “Colla mac Toirrdelbaigh meic Giolla Epscuip meic Eoin meic Raghnall meic Alaxandair meic Aonghusa moir” (see Schlegal; p 199).
THE ONLY ALEXANDER included in MS 1467 for the now called Clan MacAlister, is the founder Alexander MOR, son of Donald, son of Reginald, son of Somerled! (CHART "B").
** SEE MORE HERE **]
All the above forms a cohesive narrative; a context of events; a chain of cause and effect :-
"FORFEITED"<->"EXPELLED"<->"ONE WHO WAS TO BE KING OF INSI-GALL"
1318 - mac Alaxandair<+>Galloglaigh Constables<+>O'Neill<+>Macdonnell - 1366.
__________________________________________________
F/N [1] ANNAL OF INISFALLEN - ORIGINAL MS {AI 1318.4}. All that remains of MSS AI 1318.4, is at bottom of Folio 57 Recto, (a) :- "In the same year Lord Edward Bruce is slain in the battle of Dun Delgan"..<? 2/3's line ?>.."called"......<? 4 lines ?>......" - fill the large <..gaps..> here with the consistent middle content from the four other 1318 annals:- <..{..there was killed Mac Ruaidhri, "called" king of Insi-Gall Hebrides and Mac Domnaill, called king of Airthir-Gaidhil Argyle together with the slaughter of the Men of Scotland;.}.. >... then top line of Folio 57 Recto, (b).... "among whom fell Alexander M<ac Domnaill?>". Mac Domhnaill as guessed by MacAirt. He does not give the basis of his guess (but Alexander was a popular “de Isles” given name). NB:- "Among" would never be used without the context of the middle content of many others killed, ie, it cannot be grammatically used correctly with just the singular person, Edward Bruce [fell among one! Alexander fell among Edward?].
The "Alexander M.", whoever he may be, is additional to "Mac Domnaill tigearna Airir Gaoidel".
[2] DR’S STEER, KA & BANNERMAN, JWM; Published 1977. APPENDIX II, The Lordship of the Isles : Historical Background; p.203. "Late Medieval Monumental Sculpture in the West Highlands” - ROYAL COMMISSION, ETC.
Irish Annals, 1318 : "In the same year Lord Edward Bruce is slain in the battle of Dun Delgan, there was killed Mac Domnaill, called king of Airthir-Gaidhil Argyle, together with the slaughter of the Men of Scotland; <......> among whom fell Alexander M<.....>."
ANGUS OG KILLED, 1318 - WITH EDWARD BRUCE. There is agreement by all scholars and institutions now that Angus Og's demise was between 1314 and 1318 [and he obviously wasn't killed at Bannockburn 1314]. His son and heir Alexander was also killed in 1318 at Dundalk and its patently obvious that Angus Og would have been there as well at the honored "right-hand side" of The Bruce's brother, Edward - they fought side by side at Bannockburn at the final victory. Also, Angus Og was called the "Prince of the Irish of Scotland" and the only Irish force that genuinely supported Edward Bruce in Ireland was the O'Neills, who were - allies of Angus Og! {see O'Neills in "context" below}. NB : Its a fact that none of five relevant 1318 annals say it was an Alexander "Mac Domhnaill Tigearna Airer Gaoidel", k.1318. Others have misread them - made wrong assumptions by mixing bits of different annals. After a 2/3's missing gap, bottom left column, of nearly five lines in MSS AI 1318.4, he is recorded as "among who fell Alexander M....." - "inter quos corruit Alexander M<... rest is cut off…>"; and, M<ac Domhnaill> is guessed by the Editor. [f/n 1 - explains fully.] This "Alexander M<...>" is patently additional to the "Mac Domhnaill Tigearna Airer Gaoidel". The Irish Annals usually recorded deaths of the Clan Donald Chiefs and there is no other record for the extremely prominent Angus Og, "The Mac Domhnaill", other than 1318, Dundalk - "Mac Domhnaill tigearna Airir Gaoidel". Others agree {incl. RCAHMS [2]}, ie, there is no annal record in or around the 'traditional' death date of 1329 - in fact no other record at all. The period of 1318-1329, is obviously and simply the minority of Lord John I. "There is evidence which suggests that he [John] did not immediately succeed his brother as leader of the Clan Donald" - RCAHMS [f/n 2.] All the evidence points to this period being of at least 9 years.
I see no problem with the consistent period use [c.1247-c.1318] of the Mac Domhnaill gaelic title “ri Airir Gaoidil” (king of the generic “coast of the Gael” = Argyll) given by Irish annalists for eponymous Donald mac Reginald, "mac Somurli", k.1247, especially as the majority now (incl R A McDonald; p.187) have no problem with its use by them for the "Chief of Clan Donald" as 'Mac Domhnaill tigearna Airir Gaoidel' for the death in 1318 at Dundalk [see Donald, Chapter 4]. One known title used by Reginald himself, ie, Angus Og's g/grandfather, was "Dominus de Ergile and Kyntyre" {Latin} - ie, Lord of Argyll and Kintyre {WDH Sellar; "Hebridean Sea-Kings"; 2000}. After Bannockburn, 1314, King Robert granted Angus Og, who already held Kintyre, other large fiefdoms: for example, both his elder brother's holdings, including the islands of Islay and Arran, and much of the holdings of the MacDougalls = "Argyll". Also, this following person could be no other than the Chief of Clan Donald, Angus Og :- “McDonnell Prince of the Irish of Scotland” - k. 1318; Annals of Clonmacnoise, p.281 [NB: Angus Mor's poem, c.1250 :- “Graceful long ships are sailed by thee, thou art like an otter, O scion of Tara”…“There is not in Ireland nor in Scotland an Aonghus like thee, tho graceful form"].
SOME DETAIL OF EVIDENCE :- Clan Donald history has "air-brushed" the period 1318-29 and used 1329 as Angus Og's death to gloss over the fact that serious challenges to the Lordship were made during his son John's minority, possibly by the sons of Alaxandair Og, the then "senior family of Somerled's line by primogeniture" - "CLAN DONALD, VOL 1, p.89". They may have been the real “de Ylay” challengers to the Clan Donald Chiefship who were forfeited 1325, ie, Raghnaill Mac Alaxandair (Og), the indeterminate "Reginald" who "took upon him the sole government of the Isles for 9 years", ie, for most of John's minority :- as per Dr Nicholls incorporating Hugh of Sleat's indeterminate account in "Collectanea de rebus Albanacis", p.292"; in "The World of the Galloglass"; p. 98; Nicholls, Dr K.. Sean Duffy Editor, 2007. It was not a 'certain Ruairi' designated "Roderici de Ylay", ie, designates MacDonald Chief (de Yle), forfeited by Parliament 1325 [for 'usurping the Isles'], whom it is acknowledged by Dr. Bannerman [2] "should therefore be [Chief] of Clan Donald", but he added it was not a normal Clan Donald (Chief's) forename at that time and was probably therefore a 'scribal error' , i.e., it makes more logic as it being Ragnaill de Ile - Raghnaill mac Alaxandair OG]... Dr. Bannerman's f/n 12].
[It simply cannot be Ruairi mac Allan {Clan Ruairidh) the wrongly scribed "Roderici de Ylay" as he was killed in Ireland in 1318 [Mac Ruaidhri, Ri Innse Gall; clearly the chief Ruari, not a brother] along with Angus Og - they were together at Bannockburn, 1314! And he was not, and never could or should be a "de Ylay" {a Rögnvaldr/Raghnaill error as "Roderici"? But, Raghnaill, "Chief of the McDonnells, who came out of the Isles", could be, or, was at least eligible to be a "de Ylay"/de Yle).
Ruari, 1325 : "What the precise nature of his offence is not recorded"! Ruari is never heard of otherwise after 1318 and there was : "No record of old lands of Ruari being bestowed on another [in 1325]" - their lands were confirmed in 1342 by a new King (David) but this process would have happened irrespective. The sons of Alaxandair OG were certainly 'disinherited' - BUT because of the 1325 forfeiture as above, NOT through Chief Alaxandair OG being so-called deposed in 1308, because that is "the most extraordinary collation of historical untruths" and he was killed in 1299!]
THE CONTEXT : ANGUS OG k.1318 - SON JOHN, A MINOR :- Subsequent events give contextual corroboration that Raghnaill mac Alaxandair OG {ie, Macdonnell} of the "senior line" was "forfeited for usurping the Isles for some 7 years - 1325".
[A] The son of Raghnaill, Eoin (Shane) Maol (John the Bald), was then “expelled from my country” to Ireland by his “consanguines” (cousin) Donald II, some time in mid to late 14th century - "and have been sojourning with O'Neill". This is written in Eoin-John or Schan MacDonyld’s letter, as “Captain of his Nation and Constable of the Irish of Ulster” to King Richard II, from Armagh. This was absolutely not John Mor Tanister, Donald II’s frater, full brother. Eoin Mhoir Tanister was never, at any time, High Constable of Ulster to The O’Neill and neither were any MacAllisters [Clan Allister], ever - complete proof elsewhere. The High Constable is always purely hereditary. It was permanently the Mac Alaxandairs {as very early, normal kin name; sons of Alaxandair OG} ->ie, Macdonnells {then surname} for 300 years - 'If the father hath been a galloglass, the son will be a galloglass". They were called the "MacDomhnaill Galloglach, Clann Alasdair" {Dr. K Simms, TCD}.
[B] Raghnaill's grandson, 1362.8, Annals of Ulster :- "The noble, well-born offspring, to wit, one who was to be king of Insi-Gall {p.521}, namely, the son of John the Black, son of Alexander, Constable of the Fifth of Ulster."
[C] Raghnaill again, "Randolph Mc Alexander {patronymic!} Chief of the McDonnells" {Annals of Clonmacnoise; p.303; not MacAllisters, and still not even as correctly "oighre Cloinne Alaxandair" - M1366.9} was in Ireland 1366 to settle factional feuding between senior and junior branches of the O'Neills, each supported by their respective senior/junior Galloglaigh "mac Alaxandair", ie, Macdonnell Constable/Chief {"Randolph on the one side and his kinsmen, the other McDonnells of the other side" - AND Raghnaill, "Chiefe of the house they were of"}. NB : MacAlisters were never called "MacDonnells", ever, at any stage {even though they are of Clan Domnaill}; plus all the proven descendants of this validated "house" are all Macdonnells! And it is just ludicrous that this Randolph/Raghnaill could be a MacAlister and say "he was Chiefe of the house they were of", ie, a MacAlister, being a Chief of the House of Macdonnell!" Absolute nonsense, and it's about time the MacAlister Clan "came clean" on this. [Their pedigree is seriously flawed]. "Clan Donald VOLS I-III; c.1900" and they misappropriate Raghnaill mac Alaxandair {and his father and his son as a 'set' from these Irish Annals}, ie, House of Macdonnell, as 'Raghnaill MacAlister', their non-existent pedigree no. IV, and they continue to ignore these facts and evidence here {been provided to their historian}. Burke’s Peerage for McAlister of Loup and Kennox, Chief of McAlester has a ‘black hole’ of three generations between [II], Donald and [VI], Ean Dubh 1493, of the pedigree (As evidenced by Lord Lyon). There is no other evidence to fill their three generations gap! Their "III, IV and V" are in fact, the Clan Donald Chief, Alaxandair OG, his son Raghnaill and his son Alexander.
[ NB. "MacDomhnaill Galloglach, Clann Alastair" :
The 1366 Annal of Ulster is entirely consistent with MS 1467 for the (now called) Clan MacAlister {the unnamed clan, "VI", p469}. Contrary to MS 1467 being the "sheet anchor of our genealogical faith - no higher authority" as lauded but then ignored in "Clan Donald VOLS I-III' 1900 genealogy {and these particular MS-1467 "clan" pedigrees agreed to by past Lord Lyon, DHS Sellar}, it in fact provides no such Raghnaill, son of Alexander, son of Donald son of Alasdair MOR - but, does for a Raghnaill, son of Alaxandair OG, son of Angus Mor, son of Donald I, the line of Alaxandair OG {"IV", p.,468} - called then the "Clan Alastair" {just to confuse matters!} but are clearly and unequivocally the Clan Macdonnell Galloglaigh of Tyrone and Armagh, the hereditary High Constables of Ulster to The Great O'Neill for over three centuries (CHART "A).
OTHER EVIDENCE: O’Clery Genealogies; Analecta Hibernica; XVIII; pp.20 ff. The Genelech Meic Domhnaill Galloglaich :- (section 301) “Colla mac Toirrdelbaigh meic Giolla Epscuip meic Eoin meic Raghnall meic Alaxandair meic Aonghusa moir” (see Schlegal; p 199).
THE ONLY ALEXANDER included in MS 1467 for the now called Clan MacAlister, is the founder Alexander MOR, son of Donald, son of Reginald, son of Somerled! (CHART "B").
** SEE MORE HERE **]
All the above forms a cohesive narrative; a context of events; a chain of cause and effect :-
"FORFEITED"<->"EXPELLED"<->"ONE WHO WAS TO BE KING OF INSI-GALL"
1318 - mac Alaxandair<+>Galloglaigh Constables<+>O'Neill<+>Macdonnell - 1366.
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F/N [1] ANNAL OF INISFALLEN - ORIGINAL MS {AI 1318.4}. All that remains of MSS AI 1318.4, is at bottom of Folio 57 Recto, (a) :- "In the same year Lord Edward Bruce is slain in the battle of Dun Delgan"..<? 2/3's line ?>.."called"......<? 4 lines ?>......" - fill the large <..gaps..> here with the consistent middle content from the four other 1318 annals:- <..{..there was killed Mac Ruaidhri, "called" king of Insi-Gall Hebrides and Mac Domnaill, called king of Airthir-Gaidhil Argyle together with the slaughter of the Men of Scotland;.}.. >... then top line of Folio 57 Recto, (b).... "among whom fell Alexander M<ac Domnaill?>". Mac Domhnaill as guessed by MacAirt. He does not give the basis of his guess (but Alexander was a popular “de Isles” given name). NB:- "Among" would never be used without the context of the middle content of many others killed, ie, it cannot be grammatically used correctly with just the singular person, Edward Bruce [fell among one! Alexander fell among Edward?].
The "Alexander M.", whoever he may be, is additional to "Mac Domnaill tigearna Airir Gaoidel".
[2] DR’S STEER, KA & BANNERMAN, JWM; Published 1977. APPENDIX II, The Lordship of the Isles : Historical Background; p.203. "Late Medieval Monumental Sculpture in the West Highlands” - ROYAL COMMISSION, ETC.
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