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history of the mackenzies-第14部分

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n ultimately succeeded to the  lands of Lochbroom and  Coigeach granted to Macaulay's predecessor by  Alexander II。  Mackenzie was now engaged principally in preserving and  improving his possessions; until the return of David II。 from England;  1357…8; when Murdoch laid before the King a complaint against the Earl  of Ross for the murder of his father; and claimed redress but the only  satisfaction he ever obtained was a confirmation of his rights previously granted by the King to 〃Murdo filius Kennethi de Kintaill; etc。;〃 dated 〃Edinburg 1362; et Regni Domini Regis VI。; Testibus Waltero Senescollo et allis。〃 'MS。 History of the Mackenzies。'

Of Murdoch Dubh's reign; the Laird of Applecross says:〃During this turbulent age; securities and writs; as well as laws; were little  regarded; each man's protection lay in his own strength。〃 Kintail  regularly attended the first Parliament of Robert II。; until it was decreed by  that King and his Privy Council that the services of the 〃lesser barons〃  should not be required in future Parliaments or General Councils。  He then  returned home; and spent most of his time in hunting and wild sports; of  which he was devotedly fond; living peaceably and undisturbed during the remainder of his days。  This Baron of Kintail took no share in the recent rebellion under  the Lord of the Isles; who; backed by most of the other West Highland  chiefs; attempted to throw off his independence and have himself  proclaimed King of the Isles。  The feeble and effeminate Government of  David II。; and the evil results consequent thereon throughout the country;  encouraged the island lord in this desperate enterprise; but; as Tytler says;  the King on this occasion; with an unwonted energy of character;  commanded the attendance of the Steward; with the prelates and barons  of the realm; and surrounded by this formidable body of vassals and retainers; proceeded against the rebels in person。〃  The expedition proved  completely successful; and John of the Isles; with a numerous train of  chieftains who joined him in the rebellion; met the King at Inverness; and  submitted to his authority。  He there engaged in the most solemn manner;  for himself and for his vassals; that they should yield themselves faithful  and obedient subjects to David their liege lord; and not only give due and  prompt obedience to the ministers of the  King in suit and service; as well  as in the payment of taxes and public burdens; but that they would coerce and put down all others; and compel all who dared to rise against the  King's authority to make due submission; or pursue them from their  respective territories。〃  For the fulfilment of these obligations; the Lord of  the Isles not only gave his most solemn oath before the King and his  nobles; on condition of forfeiting his whole possessions in case of failure;  but offered his father…in…law; the High Steward; in security and delivered  his son Donald; his grandson Angus; and his natural son; also named  Donald; as hostages for the strict performance of the articles of the treaty;  which was duly signed; attested and dated; the 15th November; 1369。 'For a full copy of this instrument; see  Invernessiana; pp。 69…70。' Fordun says that in order to crush the Highlanders; and the more easily; as the King thought; to secure obedience to the laws; he used  artifice by dividing the chiefs and promising high rewards to those who  would capture or kill their brother lords; and; that writer continues 〃this  diabolical plan; by implanting the seeds of disunion amongst the chiefs;  succeeded; and  they gradually destroyed one another。〃

Before his marriage Murdoch had three illegitimate sons。  One of them was called Hector or Eachainn Biorach。  He acquired the lands of  Drumnamarg by marrying Helen; daughter of Loban or Logan of Drum…namarg; who; according to the Earl of Cromarty; 〃was one of the Earl of  Ross's feuars。  This superior having an innate enmity with Kenneth's race;  was the cause that this Hector had no peaceable possession of  Drumnamarg; but turning outlaw; retired to Eddirachillis; where he left a son called Henry; of whom are descended a race yet possessing there;  called Sliochd Ionraic; or Henry's race。〃  The second bastard was named  Dugald Deargshuileach; 〃from his red eyes。〃  From him descended John  Mackenzie; Commissary…Depute of Ross; afterwards in Cromarty; Rev。  Roderick Mackenzie; minister of Croy; John Mackenzie; a writer in   Edinburgh; and  several others of the name。  The third bastard  was named Alexander; and from him descended Clann Mhurchaidh Mhoir in  Ledgowan; and many of the common people who resided in the Braes of  Ross。

Murdoch had another son Murdoch Riach; after his wife's death; by a daughter of the Laird of Assynt; also illegitimate; although the Laird  of Applecross says that he was 〃by another wife。〃  This Murdoch retired  to Edderachillis and married a Sutherland woman there; 〃where; setting  up an independent establishment; he became formidable in checking the  Earl of Ross in his excursions against his clan; till he was killed by a  Caithness man named Budge of Toftingall。  His descendants are still  styled Clann Mhuirich; and among them we trace Daniel Mackenzie; who  arrived at the rank  of Colonel in the service of the Statholder; who had a  son Barnard; who was Major in Seaforth's regiment; and killed at the  battle of Auldearn。  He too left a son; Barnard; who taught Greek and  Latin for four years at Fortrose; was next ordained by the Bishop of Ross and presented to the Episcopal Church of Cromarty; where; after a variety of fortunes; he died; and was buried in the Cathedral Church of Fortrose。    Alexander; eldest son of this last (Barnard); studied medicine under  Boerhave; and retired to practice at Fortrose。 He married Ann; daughter of  Alexander Mackenzie of Belmaduthy; purchased the lands of Kinnock;  and left a son; Barnard; and two daughters; Catherine and Ann。〃  'Bennetsfield MS。 of the Mackenzies。'

This was the turbulent and insecure state of affairs throughout the Kingdom when the chief of Mackenzie was  peaceably  and  quietly enjoying  himself in  his Highland home。  He died in 1375。  'Murdo became a great favourite latterly with all those with whom he came in  contact。  〃He fell in company with the Earl of Sutherland; who became his very good friend afterwards; as that he still resorted his court。 In end  (being comely of person and one active young man) the Earl's lady (who  was King Robert the Bruce's young daughter) fell in conceit of him; and  both forgetting the Earl's kindness; by her persuasion; he got her with  child; who she caused name Dougall;〃 and the earl suspecting nothing  amiss 〃caused bred him at schools with the rest of his children but  Dougall being as ill…given as gotten; he still injured the rest; and when the  earl would challenge or offer to beat him; the Ladie still said; ‘Dear heart;  let him alone; it is hard to tell Dougall's father;' which the good earle always took in good part。  In end; he comeing to years of discretion; she to'd her husband that Mackenzie was his father; and shortly thereafter; by  way of merriment; to'd the King how his lady cheated him。 The King;  finding him to be his own cousine and of parts of learning; with all to  pleasure the earle and his lady; he made Dougall prior of Beauly。〃Ancient MS。'

By his wife Isabel; only child of Macaulay of Loch。 broom;  Murdoch Dubh had a son and successor;

V。  MURDOCH  MACKENZIE;

Known as 〃Murchadh na Drochaid;〃 or Murdoch of the Bridge。  The author of the Ardintoul MS。 say's that 〃he was called Murdo na Droit by  reason of some bad treatment his lady met with at the Bridge of Scatwell; which happened on this occasion。  He having lived for many years with  his lady and getting no' children; and so fearing that the direct line of his  family might fail in his person; was a little concerned and troubled thereat;  which being understood by some sycophants and flatterers that were about  him and would fain curry his favour; they thought that they could not  ingratiate themselves more on him than putting his lady out of the way; whereby he might marry another; and they waited an opportunity to put  their design in execution (some say not without his connivance); and so on  a certain evening or late at night as she was going to Achilty; where her laird lived; these wicked flatterers did presumptuously and barbarously  cast her over the Bridge of Scatwell; and then their conscience accusing  them for that horrid act they made off with themselves。  But the wonderful  providence of God carried the innocent lady (who was then with child)  nowithstanding the impetuousness of the river; safe to the shore; and  enabled her in the night…time to travel the length of Achilty; where her husband did impatiently wait her coming; that being the night she promised to be home; and entertained her very kindly; being greatly offended at the maltreatment she met with。  The child she had then in the womb was afterwards called Alexander; and some  say agnamed Inrick   because by a miracle or Providence he escaped that danger and afterwards  became heir to his father and inherited his estate。〃 The author of the  Applecross MS。 says that this Baron was called
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