Royalty of Scotland and Ireland

Ancient Princess · Jul 26, 2011

The Act of the Claim of Roght 1689

Claim of Right Act 1689

The Claim of Right is an Act passed by the Parliament of Scotland in April 1689. It is one of the key documents of Scottish constitutional law.

Contents

Background

In the Glorious Revolution, William of Orange landed with his army in England on 5 November 1688. King James VII of Scotland, who was also King of England and Ireland as James II, attempted to resist the invasion. He then sent representatives to negotiate, and he finally fled England on 23 December 1688.
Whilst the Convention Parliament in England declared that James, as King of England, had abdicated the Government, and issued an English Bill of Rights on 13 February 1689 offering the Crown of England to William and Mary, the Scots found themselves facing a more difficult constitutional problem. As James had not been present in Scotland during the crisis and had not fled from Scottish territory in December, it would be highly dubious to claim that he had 'abdicated' the Scottish throne.
Process

Therefore, a Convention of the Scottish Estates met to consider letters received on 16 March 1689 from the two contenders for the Crown. On 4 April they voted to remove James VII from office, drawing on George Buchanan's argument on the contractual nature of monarchy.
Later that month, the Convention adopted the Claim of Right and the Article of Grievances, enumerating what they saw as the contemporary requirements of Scottish constitutional law. It also declared that, because of his actions in violation of these laws, James had forfeited the Scottish throne. The effect of the Claim of Right was to "bolster the position of parliament within the Scottish constitution at the expense of the royal prerogative"
The Convention proceeded to offer the crown on the basis of these documents to William and Mary, who accepted it on 11 May 1689, and were proclaimed King and Queen of the Scots as William II and Mary II, though with subsequent controversy over whether the Claim of Right articles against Episcopacy were fully accepted by the new monarchy.
References

Lynch, Michael (1992). Scotland: A New History. Pimlico. p. 302. ISBN 0-7126-9893-0.

2 "Claim of Right". Wikisource. http://en.wikisource

Harris, Tim Revolution: The Great Crisis of the British Monarchy 1685-1720 Allen Lane (2006) pp401-402

External links

Official text of the Claim of Right Act 1689 as amended and in force today within the United Kingdom, from the UK Statute Law Database

Ancient Princess · Jul 26, 2011

Celtic Kingship and the Fuedal Monarchy

Kingdom of Scotland in the 16th century

Parliament House in Edinburgh

Celtic Kingship

The political structure of Scotland was historically complex. During most of the existence of the Kingdom of the Scots, however, a single monarch or High King was recognized. Under the suzerainty of the High King, there were chieftains, and petty kings, and offices filled through selection by an assembly under a system known as tanistry, which combined an hereditary element with the consent of those ruled. Usually, the candidate was nominated by the current office holder on the approach of death, and his heir-elect was known as the tanist, from the Scottish Gaelic tànaiste.
Feudal Monarchy

After Macbeth was overthrown by Máel Coluim III in 1057, and during the reign of King David I, the influence of Norman settlers in Scotland saw primogeniture adopted as the means of succession in Scotland, as in much of Western Europe, and witnessed the development of a 'hybrid kingdom', one part of which was governed by a mixture of a feudal government, the other following traditional Celtic customary law. These early assemblies cannot be considered 'parliaments' in the later sense of the word.
Originally, Scots owed their allegiance primarily to their Clan chieftain, or to the laird, thus the High King consistently had to keep them of favorable disposition, or else risk armed conflict.

Ancient Princess · Jul 26, 2011

Monarchies and the Order of Succession

Primogeniture
In primogeniture (or more precisely male primogeniture), the monarch's eldest son and his descendants take precedence over his siblings and their descendants. Elder sons take precedence over younger sons, but all sons take precedence over all daughters. Children represent their deceased ancestors, and the senior line of descent always takes precedence over the junior line, within each gender. The right of succession belongs to the eldest son of the reigning sovereign (see heir apparent), and then to the eldest son of the eldest son. This is the system in the Commonwealth Realms, Spain, and Monaco.
Fiefs or titles granted "in tail general" or to "heirs general" follow this system for sons, but daughters are considered equal co-heirs, at least in modern British practice. This can result in the condition known as abeyance. In the medieval period, actual practice varied with local custom. While women could inherit manors, power was usually exercised by their husbands (jure uxoris) or their sons (jure matris).

Equal (or absolute) primogeniture
Fully equal primogeniture (or Absolute Primogeniture) is a law in which the eldest child of the sovereign succeeds to the throne, regardless of gender, and where females (and their descendants) enjoy the same right of succession as males. The Succession to the Crown Bill of 2004 proposed changing the line of succession to the British throne to absolute primogeniture.

Agnatic succession
Agnatic (or semi-Salic) succession, prevalent in much of Europe since ancient times, is the restriction of succession to those descended from or related to a past or current monarch exclusively through the male line of descent: descendants through females were ineligible to inherit unless no males of the patrilineage remained alive.
In this form of succession, the succession is reserved firstly to all the male dynastic descendants of all the eligible branches by order of primogeniture, then upon total extinction of these male descendants to a female member of the dynasty If a female descendant should take the throne, she will not necessarily be the senior heiress by primogeniture, but usually the nearest relative to the last male monarch of the dynasty by proximity of blood.

Appointment, election, tanistry and rotation
Order of succession can be arranged by appointment: either the incumbent monarch or some electoral body appoints an heir or a list of heirs before vacancy occurs. A monarchy may be generally elective, although in a way that the next holder will be elected only after it becomes vacant.
In history, quite often, but not always, appointments and elections favored, or were limited to, members of a certain dynasty or extended family. There may have been genealogical rules to determine who all are entitled to succeed, and who will be favored. This has led sometimes to an order of succession that balances branches of a dynasty by rotation.

Seniority
In seniority successions, a monarch's or fiefholder's next sibling, actually it means almost always brother, succeeds; not his children. And, if the royal house is more extensive, (male) cousins and so forth succeed, in order of seniority, which may depend upon actual age or upon the seniority between their fathers.

Partible inheritance
In some societies, a monarchy or a fief was inherited in a way that all entitled heirs had a right to a share of it. The most prominent examples of this practice are the multiple divisions of the Frankish Empire under the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties.

Proximity of blood
Proximity of blood is a system wherein the person closest in degree of kinship to the sovereign succeeds, preferring males over females and elder over younger siblings. This is sometimes used as a gloss for "pragmatic" successions in Europe; it had somewhat more standing during the Middle Ages everywhere in Europe. In Outremer it was often used to choose regents, and it figured in some of the succession disputes over the Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was also recognized in that kingdom for the succession of fiefs, under special circumstances: if a fief was lost to the Saracens and subsequently re-conquered, it was to be assigned to the heir in proximity of blood of the last fief-holder.

Ultimogeniture
Ultimogeniture is an order of succession where the subject is succeeded by the youngest son (or youngest child). This serves the circumstances where the youngest is "keeping the hearth", taking care of the parents and continuing at home, whereas elder children have had time to succeed "out in the world" and provide for themselves.

Lateral or fraternal system of succession
Mandates principles of seniority among members of a dynasty or dynastic clan, with a purpose of election a best qualified candidate for the leadership. The leaders are elected as being the most mature elders of the clan, already in possession of military power and competence. Fraternal succession is preferred to ensure that mature leaders are in charge, removing a need for regents. The lateral system of succession may or may not exclude male descendants in the female line from succession. In practice, when no male heir is mature enough, a female heir is usually determined "pragmatically", by proximity to the last monarch, like Boariks of the Caucasian Huns or Tamiris of Massagetes in Middle Asia. The lateral monarch is generally elected after the leadership throne becomes vacant. In the early years of the Mongol empire, the death of the ruling monarchs, Genghis Khan and Ögedei Khan, immediately stopped the Mongol western campaigns because of the upcoming elections.
In the East Asia, the Lateral succession system is first recorded in the pre-historical period starting with the late Shang Dynasty's Wai Bing succeeding his brother Da Ding, and then in connection with a conquest by the Zhou of the Yin Shang, when Wu Ding was succeeded by his brother Zu Geng in 1189 BC and then by another brother Zu Jia in 1178

matrilinear succession
(also known as Marumakathayam), practiced in Kerala by the Nair nobility and royal families, a man's wealth and title is inherited by his sister's children, and his own children receive their inheritance from their own maternal uncles. The Maharajah of Travancore is therefore succeeded by his sister's son, and his own son receives a courtesy title but has no place in the line of succession. Since Indian Independence and the passing of several acts such as the Hindu Succession Act (1956), this form of inheritance is no longer recognised by law. Regardless, the pretender to the Travancore throne is still determined by matrilinear succession.

Ancient Princess · Jul 26, 2011

Royal Succession to the Crown Bill and it's effects on Ireland and Scotland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Scotland and Northern Ireland...

A member of parliament’s legislative motion, called a private member's bill or a member's bill in some parliaments, is a proposed law introduced by a member of a legislature. In most countries with a parliamentary system, most bills are proposed by the government, not by individual members of the...it is aimed at reforming the manner of succession to the British Monarchy

Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...

House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom's national legislature...

Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist political party in the United Kingdom.Labour surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to...

Alfred Dubs, Baron Dubs is a Czech-born British Labour Party politician and former Member of Parliament.- Youth and education :...

on 9 December 2004, and withdrawn by him on 14 January 2005, after the Government said that it would block the Bill.

It would have involved three major measures: firstly, the change of the form of primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...

used from male-preferring ("feudal") to fully equal ("absolute") primogeniture — that is, that the eldest child would succeed regardless of gender; secondly, that the Acts of Union 1707
Acts of Union 1707

The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland, which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706, following negotiation between commissioners representing the parliaments...

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

England and Wales

England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...

as well as other relevant legislation, be altered to remove the clauses forbidding the monarch or heirs from marrying any Catholic; and, thirdly, the revocation of the Royal Marriages Act 1772
Royal Marriages Act 1772
The Royal Marriages Act of 1772 is an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain which prescribes the conditions under which members of the British Royal Family may contract a valid marriage, in order to guard against marriages that could diminish the status of the Royal House...

which requires descendants of King George II
George II of Great Britain

George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death....

(other than descendants of princesses who married foreigners) to obtain the Sovereign's consent to marry. However, the provisions of the Act of Settlement 1701
Act of Settlement 1701
The Act of Settlement is an act of the Parliament of England that was originally filed in 1700 and passed in 1701 to settle the succession to the English throne on the Electress Sophia of Hanover and her Protestant heirs...

barring the monarch from being Catholic, would have still remained in force.

The line of succession to the British throne lists people eligible to succeed to the throne of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms in order of

It was unclear as to how the Bill would have affected the lines of succession
Order of succession
An order of succession is a formula or algorithm that determines who inherits an office upon the death, resignation, or removal of its current occupant.-Monarchies and nobility:...

To the other 15 Commonwealth Realm
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million; all but about two million live in the six most populous...

The Bill drew on the recommendations of the Fabian Society
Fabian Society

The Fabian Society is a British socialist movement, whose purpose is to advance the principles of democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist, rather than revolutionary, means. It is best known for its initial ground-breaking work beginning late in the 19th century and continuing up to World...

Commission on the Future of the Monarchy, which reported in 2003. Lord Dubs is a member of the Fabian Society's Executive Committee.

Ancient Princess · Jul 26, 2011

Does anyone know if the BBC History of the Irish Kings is out on DVD yet? Can not wait to see it, sounds wonderful. Who is the historian that the BBC has procured? Blessing to you all and will check in later with the ,"Great Mystery of the Lost Royal Jewels of Ireland and the Mighty Sword of Brion Boru", should be interesting to see what everyone thinks. Deep Peace and Blessings to you all...Ancient Princesss

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

Current Chief of Clan MacGregor statement verifying they are not descended from Alpin

Many sources claim we are descended from Griogar, said to have been the third son of Alpin, King of Scotland, who commenced his reign in 833. Alternatively claims have been made for descent from his eldest brother, Kenneth MacAlpine, but these are both impossible to trace. According to Buchanan of Auchmar, the Clan Gregor were located in Glenorchy as early as the reign of Malcolm Canmore (1057-1093). Hugh of Glenorchy appears to have been the first of the Chiefs who was so styled. Before this the Clan system, as we know it, was not in place.

Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor
7th Baronet, 24th Chief of Clan Gregor
(photo taken in 1996)

There were four principal Clan Gregor families descended from Gregor of the Golden Bridles. These were Glenstrae, Glencarnaig, Roro, and Glengyle. The Chiefs originally were of the Glenstrae branch which died out as a result of long persecution. Leadership then often switched from one to the other of the three remaining families.
Rob Roy MacGregor was never a Clan Chief but was considered a "Captain," leading the Clan in battle, and was Tutor to Gregor Macgregor, otherwise called James Graham of Glengyle or Glùn Dubh (Black Knee), after his father died leaving him the Chiefship of the Glengyle branch when he was just 10 years old. In clanship a Captain would be appointed as a military leader when the Chief was a minor or otherwise unsuited for the role.
In 1714 Alexander Drummond (or MacGregor) of Balhaldie (Bohaldy), of the Roro line was elected was Chief. He was succeeded by his son, William before 1743. William was created a baronet in the Jacobite peerage by James the Old Pretender. William's eldest son was Alexander born in 1758 and suceeded his father in 1765. The latter Alexander became a Captain in the 65th Regiment. In 1774, when the Act of Proscription against Clan Gregor was finally repealed, another election was organised and General John Murray Macgregor of Lanrick, descended from the Glencarnaig line, was acclaimed as the new Chief. He was elected while Alexander of Balhaldie was still alive and serving in the army in the West Indies. Alexander of Balhaldie raised an unsuccessful court action against Sir John Murray. [see note below by #18]
The current Chief is descended from the Glencarnaig line.

The following list is only an approximation and is subject to frequent revisions. Most of the dates are estimated. There are a series of obits up to Gregor (John Murray) no. 12 who died in 1629. Thereafter the succession passed to his brother Patrick Roy who was alive in 1651. The records are rather vague about the succession of the descendants of Ewin the tutor which ended with Kilmanan.

Griogair of the Golden Bridles, b~1300; d~1360
Eoin cam (Ian of the One-Eye), son of Griogair, .b~1325; obit.1390
Eoin dubh, son of Eoin cam, b~1350; obit.1415
Gille-coluim (Malcolm "the lame lord"), son of Eoin dubh, b~1375; obit.1440
Padraig, son of Gille-coluim, b~1405; obit.1461
Eoin dubh, son of Padraig, b~1440 obit.1519 (his son Maol-coluim dsp 1498)
Eoin MacEoghan, gt-gt-gt-grandson of #3. Eoin dubh, b~1480; obit 1528
Alasdair ruadh of Glenstrae (Allister Roy), son of Eoin MacEoghan, b~1515; obit 1547
Eoin ruadh, son of Alasdair ruadh, b~1540; obit 1550
Griogair ruadh of Glenstrae 'The arrow of Glen Lyon', brother of Eoin ruadh,

b~1541; executed 1571
Alasdair ruadh of Glenstrae, son of Griogair ruadh, b~ 1569; executed 1604
Gregor, alias John Murray, nephew of Alasdair ruadh, b ~1599. last recorded 1639 (sold Glenstrae to Glenorchy in 1624)
Patrick Roy, brother of Gregor, b~1600; d~1650s
James, son of Patrick Roy d~ 1670s (?)
Gregor, son of Malcolm, g-son of Ewin the tutor, d~ 1680s
Archibald of Kilmanan, cousin of Gregor, d~ 1704
Alexander MacGregor or Drummond of Balhaldie (Bohaldy) - Roro - elected in 1714, d.1743
William Macgregor Drummond of Balhaldie succeeded his father 1743. d. ~1765
[Alexander MacGregor Drummond of Balhaldie, b1758, succeeded 1765.]

Alexander of Balhaldie was not elected and was living outside Scotland. Had he been more dynamic the opportunity for Sir John to campaign for the chiefship might not have arisen. There were also disputes about the seniority and right of the original Balhaldie in 1714. Alexander unsuccessfully sued Sir John Murray in 1795. Note the numbering suggests that Sir John Murray did not accept the succession of William in 1743.

[*]Sir John Murray (Macgregor) of Lanrick (Glencarnaig branch), elected chief in 1775. Baronetcy created in 1795
[*]
Sir Evan John Macgregor 1785-1841, 2nd Baronet of Lanrick, founder of the Clan Gregor Society in 1822 Obtained royal license to resume the name MacGregor in 1822.
[*]
Sir John Athole Bannatyne Macgregor of MacGregor, 3rd Baronet, 1810-1851
[*]
Sir Malcolm Murray Macgregor of MacGregor, 4th Baronet, b.1834, d.1879
[*]
Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, RN, 5th Baronet. b.1873
[*]
Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor, 6th Baronet. b.1925, d.2003
[*]
Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, 7th Baronet.

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

The (Current) Honorable Chieftess Elizabeth Fairbairn of McKay

The Mackays in Scotland were based in Strathnaver in modern Sutherland. Although the exact origin of Clan Mackay is unknown, it is generally accepted that they belonged to the early Norse population of Scotland, although, given their geographical proximity to the Norse immigrants, it is likely that the two races later intermarried. The most popular and accepted theory as to the origins as being Norweigen and in 1325 the chieftainship of the Clan Mackay was there established.

In 1314 the a Mackay fought under Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn where they helped defeat the English.Later in the 14th century, in 1371 two Mackay chieftains were murdered, father and son, at Dingwall Castle by Nicholas Sutherland of Duffus, head of one of the junior branches of Clan Sutherland. Much bloodshed followed, including a retaliatory raid on Dornoch in 1372. The cathedral was once again set on fire and many Sutherland men were hanged in the town square. After this, the feud quietened down as both sides were called away to fight against the English.
15th century and clan conflicts

A Victorian era romantic illustration of a MacKay clansman by R. R. McIan.

In 1403 the Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach was fought between Clan MacKay and Clan MacLeod of Lewis. This battle was fought at Tuiteam-tarbhach in the south-west Sutherland, where it meets Ross. Angus MacKay of Strathnaver married the sister of the MacLeod of Lewis. MacLeod found that his sister had been mistreated, and on his way home he decided to despoil Strathnaver and Brae-Chat in Sutherland. In the ensuing battle, MacLeod was killed. In 1411 the Battle of Dingwall took place in which Clan Donald defeated Clan MacKay. The two clans afterwards fought together on the same side at the Battle of Harlaw and chief Angus Dubh MacKay married a daughter of Donald of the Isles.In 1425 Angus Dubh MacKay spoils Moray.
In 1426 Battle of Harpsdale took place where Chief Angus Dubh MacKay, with his son Neil, entered Caithness with hostile intent, and lays waste the land. The inhabitants of Caithness assembled and fought Angus Dubh at Harpsdale, where there was great slaughter on both sides. Soon afterwards King James I came to Inverness, intending to pursue Angus Dow MacKay. Angus submitted himself to the King's mercy, and gave his son Neil as a pledge of his future obedience. The King accepted, and sent Neil MacKay to remain in captivity on the Bass Rock, in the Firth of Forth; he was afterwards called Neil Bhasse or Whasse.
In 1431 the Battle of Drumnacoub took place. Angus Dubh MacKay defeated Angus Moray near Tongue in Sutherland. Angus married Elizabeth, sister to Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the Isles. Her dowry was 100 fighting men from Lochaber. Their sons were known as the Abrach MacKays and inherited Elizabeth's coat of arms whose supporters were bears.
In 1438 the Battle of Ruoig-Hansett took place: The men of Caithness were overthrown at Sandside Chase by Neil Bhasse MacKay after his release from the Bass Rock. He skirmished with some of the inhabitants of that province at a place called Sanset, where he overthrew them with slaughter on either side. This conflict was called Ruaig-hanset, that is the Chase at Sanset. Neil Bhasse died shortly afterwards. In 1464 the Battle of Blare Tannie took place, fought by Clan Keith, assisted by the MacKays, against Clan Gunn. The inhabitants of Caithness assembled an army and met the MacKays and Keiths at Blair-tannie in Caithness. There ensued a cruel fight, with slaughter on both sides. The Keiths and MacKays were victorious.
In 1486 the Battle of Tarbat took place. The Clan Mackay and Clan Ross had long been at feud, again and again the Rosses had suffered molestation of their lands by their enemies and when at last, driven to desperation and thoroughly infuriated, they gathered their forces and marched against the MacKays, they were in the mood to teach them a severe lesson. The MacKays, with Angus MacKay of Strathnaver at their head, were defeated by the Rosses and sought shelter in the church of Tarbat where many were slain. The church was set on fire and Angus MacKay and many of his clansmen were burnt to ashes.This was followed by the Battle of Auldicharish: To take revenge on Clan Ross, chief Ian MacKay, helped by a force from Clan Sutherland, marched south invading the territory of Clan Ross and began laying waste to it. Chief Alistair Ross gathered his force of 2000 men and engaged in a long and desperate battle with the invading forces. In the end the battle went against the Rosses with the MacKays and Sutherlands gaining the upper hand. The Ross chief was killed along with many of his clan.In 1493 - The MacKays invade the Rosses again, and take much spoil.

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

King Kenneth I of Alpin to Ardra Raye McKinnon

Here is Ardra Raye MacKinnons line through King Alpins first son Kenneth I of Alpin.
King Kenneth I 74th of Pictish Alba & Scotland (810 - 859) is your 31st great grandfather to Ardra Raye McKinnon (Kilmorie Mishnish Line)

Constantine I of Scotland (836 - 877)
Son of King Kenneth I 74th

Donald II of Scotland ( - 900)
Son of Constantine I

Malcolm I of Scotland (880 - 954)
Son of Donald II

Kenneth II of Scotland ( - 995)
Son of Malcolm I

Malcolm II of Scotland (954 - 1034)
Son of Kenneth II

Princess Bethoc of Scotland (984 - 1045)
Daughter of Malcolm II

King Duncan I of Scotland (1001 - 1040)
Son of Princess Bethoc & Crinan of Dunkeld had five children
1 Duncan I
2 Margaret of Northumbria
3 Donald of Moray
4 Melmare of Atholl
5 Malcolm III

Prince Malcolm Ceann Mor Dunkeld of Scotland (1031 - 1093)
Son of King Duncan I

King David I of Scotland (1085 - 1153)
Son of Prince Malcolm Ceann Mor Dunkeld

Prince David Huntington (1144 - 1219)
Son of King David I

Countess Isabel De Huntington (1197 - 1251)
Daughter of Prince David

Robert II of Annadale De Brus or De Bruce (1210 - 1295)
Son of Countess Isabel

Robert III De Brus or De Bruce (1243 - 1304)
Son of Robert II of Annadale

King Robert IV Bruce (1274 - 1329)
Son of Robert III

Marjorie Bruce (1296 - 1316)
Daughter of King Robert IV

King Robert II of Scotland Stewart (1316 - 1390)
Son of Marjorie

Robert Duke of Albany Stewart (1341 - 1449)
Son of King Robert II of Scotland

Sir Robert 1rst Lord of Lorn Stewart (1383 - 1451)
Son of Robert Duke of Albany

John 2nd Earl of Lorn Stewart (1400 - 1463)
Son of Sir Robert 1rst Lord of Lorn

Isabel Elizabeth Stewart (1437 - 1510)
Daughter of John 2nd Earl of Lorn

Archibald 2nd Earl of Argyle Campbell (1459 - 1513)
Son of Isabel Elizabeth

Katherine Campbell
Daughter of Archibald 2nd Earl of Argyle

Catherine of Coll McLean (1576 - )
Daughter of Katherine

Sir & Chief Lachlan Mor of Kilmorie Line of the Royal older line of Mackinnon*** (1628 - 1706)
Son of Catherine of Coll

Chief Ian Na of Mishnish Royal of Kilmorie Mackinnon*** (1659 - 1750)
Son of Sir & Chief Lachlan Mor of Kilmorie Line

Lt John of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie Mackinnon*** (1735 - 1774)
Son of Chief Ian Na of Mishnish Royal

Major John of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie Mackinnon*** (1752 - )
Son of Lt John of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

Hugh I of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie Mackinnon*** (1803 - 1885)
Son of Major John of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

William Alexander of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie MacKinnon*** (1822 - 1912)
Son of Hugh I of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

William Edwin of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie MacKinnon*** (1863 - 1951)
Son of William Alexander of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

William Clarence of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie MacKinnon*** (1889 - 1959)
Son of William Edwin of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

Ardra Raye of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie McKinnon*** (1937 - )
Daughter of William Clarence of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

An Ard Ri · Jul 28, 2011

HERE LIE THE HIGH KINGS OF IRELAND

HERE LIE THE HIGH KINGS OF IRELAND - NYTimes.com

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

Thank you Ard Ri for the link to a great article. When I put down the Kings of Ireland I want to make clear that this is not all of them and I do not post dates past 461 AD as it can get confusing with differant dates. I try to stay with the Historical. I will post the connection to Flann Sinna of Ireland through his daughter that married into the MacKinnons as soon as I can. There is also a genetic connection from St Columbas sibling to MacFhingones/MacKinnons and last but not least the connection of MacKinnon that married Harald I of Norway daughter in detail. I bid you all peace. Ancient Princess

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

St Columbas connection to MacKinnons was through his eldest brother

Ard Righ King Gabran I Cenel Lorne of Ireland*** (454 - 534)
is your 41rst great grandfather to Ardra Raye McKinnon (Kilmorie Mishnish)

Ard Righ King Gabran II of Lorn of Ireland*** (470 - )
Son of Ard Righ King Gabran I Cenel Lorne
&
Eithne of Cenel Connail
Had two sons:
1 Gabhran II of Lorn
2 Crimthann or Colum Cill (St Columba)

Ard Righ King Aedan of Lorn of Ireland*** (495 - 585)
Son of Ard Righ King Gabran II of Lorn

Ard Righ King Eochu Buide of Lorn of Ireland*** (565 - 630)
Son of Ard Righ King Aedan of Lorn

Ard Righ King Domnall I Brecc of Lorn of Ireland*** (588 - 642)
Son of Ard Righ King Eochu Buide of Lorn

Ard Righ King Domangart II of Lorn of Ireland*** (600 - 673)
Son of Ard Righ King Domnall I Brecc of Lorn

Ard Righ King Eochaid II of Lorn of Ireland*** (635 - 697)
Son of Ard Righ King Domangart II of Lorn

King Eochaidh III of Lorn of Pictish Dalraida*** (665 - 721)
Son of Ard Righ King Eochaid II of Lorn

King Aodh Hugh Fionn of Lorn of Pictish Alba*** (695 - 778)
Son of King Eochaidh III of Lorn

King Eochaidh IV 73rd King or Eochy of Lorn of Pictish Alba*** (739 - 839)
Son of King Aodh Hugh Fionn of Lorn

King Alpin of Lorn Royal of Pictish Alba*** (784 - 841)
Son of King Eochaidh IV 73rd King or Eochy of Lorn

King Donald or Dungal I 75th King Royal of Alpin*** (811 - 863)
is your 32rd great grandfather to Ardra Raye McKinnon. The Line is a straight descent of all elder males till Ardra. Kenneth I of Alpins line to Ardra switchs back and forth to older and younger siblings (male and female) and stops at MacBeth in which his stepson Lulach (not of original Alpin bloodline) takes the crown by force.

Prince Girig Royal of Alpin*** (835 - 889)
Son of King Donald or Dungal I 75th King Royal

Prince Doungallus Royal of Alpin*** (875 - )
Son of Prince Girig Royal

Chief Finguine/Findanus Royal MacFhingone/MacKinnon*** (933 - 976)
Son of Prince Doungallus Royal

Chief MacFindanus/Finleac Royal MacFhingone/MacKinnon*** (950 - 1020)
Son of Chief Finguine/Findanus Royal

Chief Donald Royal MacFhingone/MacKinnon*** (967 - 1033)
Son of Chief MacFindanus/Finleac Royal

Chief Cormac Royal MacKinnon*** (983 - 1066)
Son of Chief Donald Royal

Chief Lachlan Royal MacKinnon*** (1031 - 1096)
Son of Chief Cormac Royal

Chief Lachlan Royal MacKinnon*** (1052 - 1126)
Son of Chief Lachlan Royal

Chief Kenneth Royal MacKinnon*** (1082 - 1156)
Son of Chief Lachlan Royal

Chief Donald Royal MacKinnon*** (1099 - 1186)
Son of Chief Kenneth Royal

Chief Lachlan Royal MacKinnon*** (1126 - 1216)
Son of Chief Donald Royal

Chief Eowin Royal MacKinnon*** (1149 - 1246)
Son of Chief Lachlan Royal

Chief Alpin Royal MacKinnon*** (1166 - 1252)
Son of Chief Eowin Royal

Chief Lachlan Royal MacKinnon*** (1198 - 1294)
Son of Chief Alpin Royal

Chief Donald Royal MacKinnon*** (1224 - 1315)
Son of Chief Lachlan Royal

Chief Eobhan Royal MacKinnon*** (1261 - 1351)
Son of Chief Donald Royal

Chief Lachlan or John ,"Sa Gartach" Royal MacKinnon*** (1328 - 1350)
Son of Chief Eobhan Royal

Chief Lachlan Na Thiomlaidh, "Vir Nobilis" Royal MacKinnon*** (1345 - 1442)
Son of Chief Lachlan or John ,"Sa Gartach" Royal

Chief Nial Buidh Royal MacKinnon*** (1365 - 1460)
Son of Chief Lachlan Na Thiomlaidh, "Vir Nobilis"

Chief Lachlan Bhan Royal MacKinnon*** (1402 - 1501)
Son of Chief Nial Buidh Royal

Chief Nial Bhan Royal MacKinnon*** (1500 - 1572)
Son of Chief Lachlan Bhan Royal

Chief Ewen or Eoghan Rudh nan Cath Royal MacKinnon*** (1517 - 1557)
Son of Chief Nial Bhan Royal

Chief Lachlan Dhu The Black Hair MacKinnon*** (1545 - 1634)
Son of Chief Ewen or Eoghan Rudh nan Cath Royal

Sir & Chief Lachlan Royal MacKinnon*** (1562 - 1634)
Son of Chief Lachlan Dhu The Black Hair

Chief Ian Balbhan The Dumb Royal Kilmorie MacKinnon*** (1579 - 1642)
Son of Sir & Chief Lachlan Royal

Sir & Chief Lachlan Mor of Kilmorie Line of the Royal older line of Mackinnon*** (1628 - 1706)
Son of Chief Ian Balbhan The Dumb Royal Kilmorie

Chief Ian Na of Mishnish Royal of Kilmorie Mackinnon*** (1659 - 1750)
Son of Sir & Chief Lachlan Mor of Kilmorie Line

Lt John of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie Mackinnon*** (1735 - 1774)
Son of Chief Ian Na of Mishnish Royal

Major John of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie Mackinnon*** (1752 - )
Son of Lt John of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

Hugh I of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie Mackinnon*** (1803 - 1885)
Son of Major John of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

William Alexander of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie MacKinnon*** (1822 - 1912)
Son of Hugh I of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

William Edwin of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie MacKinnon*** (1863 - 1951)
Son of William Alexander of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

William Clarence of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie MacKinnon*** (1889 - 1959)
Son of William Edwin of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

Ardra Raye of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie McKinnon*** (1937 - )
Daughter of William Clarence of Mishnish and Royal Kilmorie

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

Ancient Princess · Jul 28, 2011

Pictish Chronicles Kings List reliable sources...

Scottish and Pictish Additions to the "Historia Britonum" There are many other documents containing references to Pictish kings. The majority of them appear to derive from a few early sources, such as the Pictish Chronicle described above, and are generally riddled with scribal errors and corruptions. While there might be some interest in exploring these, they can shed little new light on the topic at hand. A different case can be made for some Pict-related additions to the "Historia Britonum", a legendary chronicle composed around the 7-8th century that gives accounts of the early history of the various races inhabiting Britain. Some of the contents are historical, much is legendary. The best-known early version of this was preserved by Nennius in 858, although there is another from slightly earlier in the same century. The Scottish-related material first appears in a 10th century copy (Harlein MS 3859). (Skene p.xxiiiff) There is some interest in noting the personal names appearing in the Old Welsh king-lists in these manuscripts that correspond to names appearing among the Picts: Eugein, Beli, Elfin, Neithon, perhaps Cinhil. But only four entries specifically identify individuals as Picts, all of them kings. The names don't clearly correspond to individuals in the "historic" king-list (except perhaps for Talorcan), but it should be considered that "king of the Picts" can mean "_a_ king of the Picts" rather than "_the_ king of the Picts". Although the existing copy of this text dates from the 10th century, the nature of the material -- except for very early entries, the material was generally written down contemporary with the event -- and the relatively short lag between the events and the existing copy give us a fairly high confidence level in the forms of the names.

736 Ougen rex Pictorum obiit. [Ougen, king of the Picts died]
750 Bellum inter Pictos et Brittones ... et rex eorum Talargan .... [War between Picts and Britons ... and their king Talargan ....]
776 Cemoyd rex Pictorum obiit. [Cemoyd, king of the Picts died.]
856 Cemoyth rex Pictorum moritur. [Cemoyth, king of the Picts was killed. (Same name, obviously different person.)]

D. OGHAM INSCRIPTIONS

Another potential source of names is an assortment of Pictish stone inscriptions which are, with two or three exceptions, written in the Ogham alphabet developed in Ireland. Based on the particular version of the alphabet used and the style of the accompanying decoration, they can be dated to the 8-9th century - - the very end of the period of identifiable Pictish culture. (Wainwright p.139) Several names found on the stones can be identified with names from manuscript sources.

"Eddarrnonn" (doubling of letters seems common in Pictish inscriptions), or "Idarnoin" in one of the Roman-letter inscriptions, seems to correspond to "Ethernan" or "Ithernan", the first bishop of Rathin and with the entry for "Itharnan" in the Ulster Annals (669). It does not appear to be a Celtic name.
"Drosten" appears in one of the Roman-letter inscriptions.
"Uoret", also from a Roman-letter inscription, corresponds with the Old Breton name "Uuoret" and perhaps with the Pictish king listed as "Uurad" in manuscript.
The Gaelic "Forcus" also appears in a Roman-letter inscription, cognate with "Uurguist" appearing in manuscript.
"Nehhton" appears in Ogham, corresponding to the "Nechton" of the manuscripts, and is almost certainly Celtic.
Other than these names, the only identifiable elements in the inscriptions are the word "crroscc" (from the Gaelic for "cross"), and a number of instances of Gaelic "maqq" or "meqq", the usual Ogham form of "mac" (son) and possibly its genitive "meic". The unintelligibility of the remainder of the inscriptions -- even when the legibility is perfect -- lends a great deal of support to the thesis that some non-Celtic Pictish language was still in common use at this point. (This makes it all the more maddening that it could survive so late, and yet not be recorded in sufficient quantity that we could know anything about it.) The use of Gaelic "maqq" in these inscriptions does not contradict that theory any more than the use of Latin "filius" in, for example, English documentary forms denies the existence and use of the English language. (Jackson suggests another possibility -- that the Pictish culture may originally have been so lacking in the concept of fatherhood that they had to borrow a foreign word for "son".)

An Ard Ri · Jul 28, 2011

Ancient Princess said:
Thank you Ard Ri for the link to a great article.

Hope you enjoyed that article Ancient Princess?
Have you ever heard of the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonmacnoise
Many High Kings & other Kings/Queens were buried there,its mainly all in ruins since the time of Cromwell when it was sacked & never recovered. I've been there a few times & it can be quite haunting,you won't catch me there on Hallowe'en night

Domhangairt · Jul 29, 2011

Ancient Princess, I must, with respect, interupt your disinformation on Clan Mackay and Clan Gregor. The Chief IS NOT any chieftess, it is none other than Lord Hugh Mackay, 14th Lord Reay of Reay, Member of the House of Lords, The European Parliament, and Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from 1991-1992. He is the 27th Chief of the Clan, and Baron Ophemert and Zinnewijnen in the Netherlands. His family IS NOT Norwegian, DNA results indicate his family is descended from the Scottish royal Dal-Raida clan. He is most likely descended from King MacBeth's uncle, Prince Domhnall mac Ruaridh of Moray whose existence is recorded in the documentary grants of land to the Scottish Celtic Church. If you disseminated this kind of information in Scotland, you would be liable for prosecution by the Procurator Fiscal of the Lyon Court.

Clan Gegor IS NOT descended from King Alpin- at least not in the male line. The 11th century "Pedigrees of the Clans" trace the Chief's family from Prince Ferchar Og, younger son of King Ferchar II "The Tall" who was king of Dal-Riada and high king of Scots from 673 -694. Ferchar Og's descendant was Gregor, a cousin of King MacBeth. It is THIS Gregor, not "Gregor of the Golden Bridles" who is the true progenitor of the Clan Gregor. All this information is confirmed by the 11th century manuscripts of Abbot Tighernac, the Irish annalist who listed all the families descended from the Gaelic kings of Scotland. Tighernac's manuscripts are also confirmed by the tombstones on Iona.

Ancient Princess · Jul 29, 2011

This was taken from the Official site of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and it is current July 2011.

Clan Chiefs

Details of the the current Clan Chiefs who are members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs are shown below. Although every care has been taken in the preparation of these details, the accuracy of individual entries cannot be guaranteed. All errors, omissions or corrections should be directed to Mr. Romilly Squire at the office of the Standing Council.
Clicking on the clan crest will take you to the specific clan section where you can learn more about the history of the clan, view its various tartans and discover a great deal of further information.

SIR MALCOLM MACGREGOR OF MACGREGOR BT.
Loophill
Canonbie
Dumfrieshire
DG 14 0XW

Ancient Princess · Jul 29, 2011

Clan MacKay

I did a background check on The Lord Hugh MacKay 14th Lord of Reay of Clan MacKay and found He is in fact a Chief, However; it states on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs that a Elizabeth Fairbairn of Clan MacKay is Chieftess...so we were both right. I went further to find out who she was and found on the MacKay clan site that she serves as the Hon Elizabeth Fairbairn of MacKay Clan. The lineage that Domhangairt had put done is doubtful, but; he was correct in stating the Chief of Clan MacKay is Hugh MacKay. My apologies Domhangairt. If you go the the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs they have Elizabeth down as Chief, so it is the error of the council to post that down. Now as far as the current Clan MacGregor Chief, the information I have is from the Chief himself so you will have to take up your differant version with him. As far as being demeaning to someone, it is in poor form no matter how you cut it and I am not here for that Domhangairt. I bid you peace again Domhangairt, now lets enjoy the site alright?

Here is what the Offical Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs has down for the current Chief of Clan MacKay...this is taken from their site so you can see that this is where I gleaned the information. It states that the current Chief of Clan MacKay is Elizabeth Fairbairn which in turn would make her a Chieftess.

Clan Chiefs

Details of the the current Clan Chiefs who are members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs are shown below. Although every care has been taken in the preparation of these details, the accuracy of individual entries cannot be guaranteed. All errors, omissions or corrections should be directed to Mr. Romilly Squire at the office of the Standing Council.
Clicking on the clan crest will take you to the specific clan section where you can learn more about the history of the clan, view its various tartans and discover a great deal of further information.

Mackay

THE HON. ELIZABETH FAIRBAIRN
38 Moray Place
Edinburgh

EH3

The Clans of the Scottish Highlands by R.R. McIan published in 1845 page 124 Soil Mhorgan No Clann Aodh - Clan MacKay first paragraph:
The origins of this clan cannot be satisfactorily discovered, but traditionary notices have been collected which carries its descent to Morgan son of Magnus the ancestor of MacKays that flourished from 1315 to 1325 and from him the clan has been calledSiol Mhorgan the race and offspring of Morgan.

Scottish Highlanders by Charles MacKinnon of Dunakin pg 188 published 1984 first paragraph:
The Mackays had a definate record of genealogy as being descended from Alexander alive in 1214 who appears to have been their founder. Walter his son who was a chamberlain to the bishop's daughter. Martin his son. Magnus his son who fought for the Bruce at Bannockburn 1314. Morgan his son and this is where the clan is called at times Morgan. Donald his son married MacNeil of Gigha. Aoidh or Y his son counted as the 3rd chief from whom the clan takes it's name MacKay or Clann Aoidh.

The Norwegian Sagas have a connection to MacKays. The historical record of MacKays are connected with the Donald of Moray which was a younger brother to MacBeth. It also states in the Clans of the Scottish Highlands that the Rt Hon Eric Lord of Reay left no issue so the Chiefship went to the younger brother the Rt Hon Major Alexander MacKay and if his family failed it would go to the family in Holland. MacKay of Auchness is accounted Chief presumptive on failure of the direct elder line.

*This is just some of the differant versions of MacKay.

Ancient Princess · Jul 29, 2011

Now as far as the MacGregors go they went back as far as Hugh of Glenorchy and before this (according to the Honorable Chief and the Lord Lyons Courts) there was no MacGregor/Gregor/Grigor recorded and no viable evidence to prove their case. There were four main lines of MacGregor; Gregor of Glenstrae, Gregor of Glencarmaig, Gregor of Roro and Gregor of Glengyle. The Eldest line died out being Gregor of Glenstrae. This is from the accepted genealogy of the current Chief of MacGregor and examined and approved by the Lord Lyon Courts. There are many people out in this world today that are related to MacGregors that would like you to think they go back further than they really do. So moral to the story always check any Clan Chiefs lineage with the Lord Lyons Courts and the Council of Irish and Scottish Chiefs as they have the only reliable sources for genealogies. MacGregors did not go back to Fearchar Og. I bid you all a great night, Ancient Princess

Ancient Princess · Jul 30, 2011

I really enjoy the website,"The High Council of Clan Donald", featureing all their Honorable Chiefs. 1. The Rt Hon. Lord MacDonald of MacDonald, 2. Sir Ian MacDonald of Sleat, 3. Ranald MacDonald of Clan Ranald, 4. Ranald MacDonell of Glengarry, 5. The Rt Hon. Eral of Atrim. It is a wonderful site to learn their history. Their genealogies have been examined and approved by the Lord Lyon Courts and the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. They have an exciting Y DNA project going on now that will connect them to Somerled which was of Norse (or Norweigen) ancestry.

Ancient Princess · Jul 30, 2011

The great MacQuarrie Clan history and it's lost Chief...

The Chiefship of the Clan

The first chief of the name that we have any definite proof of was Iain or John Macquarrie of Ulva, who died around 1473. Histories speak of chiefs leading the clan earlier on, however. Hector MacQuarrie of Ulva supported the Bruce at Bannockburn and even earlier, during the reign of Alexander II, in 1249, Cormac Mor, chief of Ulva, supported the king against Norwegian invaders and was killed by Haco of Norway.

The last MacQuarrie chief was Lauchlan MacQuarrie of Ulva who was born in 1715 and died in 1818 at Glenforsa in Mull, at the age of 103.

The status of the chief of any clan must be approved through the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland. Lord Lyon has declared that a clan with a dormant chiefship may install a cean-cath, or Commander of the clan, to rally the clan, convene meetings, etc. All members of the clan would treat him with the respect and honor worthy of his position, as if he had been selected by the chief to act as his representative in his absence. Such a Commander would need to be selected by the armigerous members of the clan and approved by Lord Lyon.

A goal for the MacQuarrie clan in the 21st century is to appoint a Commander and search for our hereditary chief.

Lauclan MacQuarrie, last chief of Clan MacQuarrie, d. 181

Ancient Princess · Jul 30, 2011

Thank you Ard Ri, I did go to the site and found it very informatiive. To bad a bunch of people could get together and help fix up these great places it is a shame they are in disrepair. And I do agree on being there on Halloween night, I would be a bit jumpy looking out for the Banshees...Blessings to you my friend, Ancient Princess

An Ard Ri · Aug 26, 2011

Its always amazed me why The RC Church in Ireland never rebuilt these great monastic sights after the Act of Catholic Emancipation. The Irish landscape is scarred with Monastic ruins,many of them are in a poor state :sad:

An Ard Ri · Aug 29, 2011

On August 29th,1170 Aoife of Leinster (daughter of the King of Leinster) married the Norman Lord,Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke(Strongbow) at Christ CHurch in Waterford.

Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aoife MacMurrough - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Deheubarth · Aug 30, 2011

Mac - Mc - mac - M' etc

Ancient Princess said:
"Mac", as I understand it means for the man and ,"Mc" means for the woman. I have never heard of it's meaning if the child was legitimate? Can anyone comment on this. How wanderful, The Great McDonald's. Which line of McDonald? Keppoch, Ranald, Etc...

The truth is that Mac, Mc, mac and what is sometimes written in old documents or in signatures as M' (i.e. "c" as superscript) all mean "son of".

The idea that Mac relates to a man and Mc a woman is completely incorrect. The way in which Mac is written has been down to personal style...and continues to be to this day.

Ancient Princess · Sep 4, 2011

You are correct in the Mac or Mc, however...

I have seen the Mac/Mc used not only for father/son but have seen it used for male/female. So I do believe it to be a choice.

Ancient Princess · Sep 4, 2011

The Battle of Clontarf

Battle of Clontarf (Irish: Cath Chluain Tarbh) took place on 23 April 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada: composed mainly of his own men, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by his cousin Sigtrygg, as well as the one rebellious king from the province of Ulster. It ended in a rout of the Máel Mórda's forces, along with the death of Brian, who was killed by a few Norsemen who were fleeing the battle and stumbled upon his tent. After the battle, Ireland returned to a fractious status quo between the many small, separate kingdoms that had existed for some time.

Background

Brian Boru had ruled most of Ireland since 1002, but the island was still highly fractious and the title of "High King" had been largely ceremonial. Brian looked to change this, and unite the island, which he set about doing over a period of years.
In 997, Brian Boru and Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill had met in Clonfert and reached an agreement where they recognized each other's reign over their respective halves of the country. Brian attacked Máel Sechnaill's territory constantly, which forced Máel Sechnaill to resign his land to Brian.
In 1012, the king of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada, rose in revolt. His attempts were quickly thwarted when Brian arranged a series of cross-marriages, giving his daughter to Sigtrygg Silkbeard, leader of the Dublin Vikings, and himself marrying Sigtrygg's mother and Máel Mórda's sister, Gormlaith. However this alliance was destined not to last, and in 1013 Máel Mórda again went to Sigtrygg for help after being admonished by Gormlaith for accepting Brian's rule. This time Sigtrygg was ready to fight, and various Irish clans who were envious of Brian quickly joined him.
Brian immediately imprisoned Gormlaith, and went on a series of raids around Dublin in order to tie down any Irish who would attempt to join the Viking forces. Meanwhile Gormlaith contacted Sigurd Lodvesson, the Viking earl of the Orkney Isles, to come to her aid. He not only agreed, but in turn contacted Brodir of the Isle of Man to join the fight. Sigurd and Brodir both planned on killing the other after the battle to take the seat of High King for themselves, while Sigtrygg was busy trying to form alliances with everyone involved in an attempt to at least retain his own seat in Dublin.
In 1014, Brian's army had mustered and set off towards Dublin. As they approached, the Irishmen of Meath, commanded by ex-high king Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, refused to take part in the battle. This left him with 4,500 men, outnumbering the 1,000 or so under Sigtrygg, but considerably worse equipped in comparison. They arrived outside the walls of Dublin and set up camp.
That night Brian received news that the Viking forces had boarded their longships and headed out to sea, deserting Sigtrygg. This was in fact a ruse. After nightfall they turned around and landed on the beaches of Clontarf, just over a mile to the north of Dublin, in order to surprise Brian's army the next day. At the time Dublin was only on the south shore of the River Liffey, connected to the north bank, and Clontarf, only by a single bridge. This allowed the Vikings time to disembark and prepare in relative safety.
Battle

Battle of Clontarf, oil on canvas painting by Hugh Frazer, 1826, Isaacs Art Center

The Viking army formed up into five divisions on the field, while Sigtrygg and 1,000 of his men remained in town. Sigtrygg's son commanded the extreme left of the line with 1,000 of the men from Dublin who decided to fight in the open. Máel Mórda added another 3,000 men from Leinster in two divisions. Although numerous, they too were poorly armed in comparison to the Vikings on either side. Sigurd's Orkney Vikings manned the center with 1,000 men, and Brodir's Vikings added another 1,000 or more on the right, on the beaches.
Brian's forces were arranged in a similar fashion. On the right (the Viking left) were 1,000 foreign mercenaries and Manx Vikings. Next to them, 1,500 clansmen of Connacht were gathered under their kings, while more than 2,000 Munster warriors under Brian's son Murchad continued the front, flanked by 1,400 Dal Caissans on the extreme left led by Murchad's 15-year-old son, Tordhelbach, and Brian's brother, Cuduiligh. Off to the right and several hundred yards to the rear stood Máel Sechnaill's 1,000 men who simply watched.
The battle opened with several personal taunts between men in either line, often ending with the two men marching out into the middle of the field to enter personal battle, while the forces on either side cheered. While this went on the two groups slowly edged towards each other. They engaged early in the morning.
At first the battle went the Vikings' way, with their heavier weapons prevailing over their opponents as everyone had expected. This advantage also served Brian, whose Viking mercenaries on his right slowly pushed back the forces facing them. On the left, Brodir himself led the charge and gained ground, until he met the warrior Wolf the Quarrelsome, brother of King Brian. Although Wolf was unable to break Brodir's armor, he knocked him to the ground and Brodir fled to hide. This left the now leaderless Viking force facing Murchad's forces, who considered themselves the "king's own" (containing many of Brian's more distant relatives) and by the afternoon Brodir's forces were fleeing to their ships.
In the center things were going more the Vikings' way. Both Sigurd's and Máel Mórda's forces were hammering into the Munster forces. However Sigurd, according to legend, carried a "magical" standard into battle which drew the Irish warriors to it, eventually forcing their way in and killing the bearer. Although the standard was supposed to guarantee a victory for the bearer's forces, it also guaranteed the bearer's death. No one would pick it up due to its reputation, so Sigurd did and was quickly killed.

Ancient Princess · Sep 4, 2011

Brian Boru's Sword has been missing since 1960

In the 1960s Brian Boru's Sword was stolen from the Vernon family in Clontarf and hasn't been seen since.

“It was a magnificent sword. I have an Australian-made replica for the festivities which weighs five kilos and is 1.6 metres long. It is a hefty weapon. The original was always attributed to Brian Boru but it may have been made after his death. I am hoping that someone knows where it is.” As chairman of the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs, Lord Inchiquin says there is tremendous interest in roots and the 20 Irish clans involved in finding the missing Ancient Sword of Brian Boru's.

Ancient Princess · Sep 4, 2011

The mystery of the Irish Crown Jewels and their where abouts...

Irish Historical Mysteries: A Centenary Report on the
Theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907

Introduction
The theft of the Irish Crown Jewels by a person or persons unknown in 1907 is one of the most famous and puzzling mysteries of Irish history, and has been the subject of numerous books and articles. (1) The Jewels were worn during functions of the Order of St Patrick and were entrusted to the care of Ulster King of Arms, Ireland’s chief herald and genealogist. Many and various are the theories which have been advanced over the years to explain what happened to the Jewels, with allegations that they were stolen by insiders, or by Unionist conspirators eager to derail Home Rule, or by Republican plotters seeking to embarrass the British government. On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the issue of the report of an official commission of investigation into the loss of the Jewels, (2) it might be worthwhile to revisit the affair.
As an historian, genealogist and heraldist the present writer has taken upon himself the task of compiling this centenary report, and the following were set as the terms of reference:
(1) To examine as much as possible of the surviving documentary evidence relating to the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907.
(2) To review the proceedings of the Viceregal Commission of investigation into the circumstances of the theft of the Jewels which was published in 1908.
(3) To evaluate various theories advanced over the years as to who might have been responsible for the theft, and in the light of the available evidence to try and identify the most likely culprit or culprits.
The Theft of the Jewels
It should be pointed out firstly that the ‘Irish Crown Jewels’ were not the equivalent of the English Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, but were in fact the regalia or insignia of the Order of St Patrick. This was a chivalric order founded by the government in 1783, designed to be the Irish counterpart of the British Order of the Garter, and equally a source of honour and patronage. The first Grand Master was the Third Earl Temple, who was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the prime mover in founding the Order. The Jewels or regalia were presented to the Order by King William IV in 1831, and are believed to have been made up from diamonds belonging to Queen Charlotte. The Jewels were crafted by Rundell, Bridge and Company of London, and consisted of a Star and a Badge composed of rubies, emeralds and Brazilian diamonds, mounted in silver, which were to be worn by the Lord Lieutenant as Grand Master on formal occasions. The membership of the Order was composed of leading peers titled Knights Companions. The Ulster King of Arms, the state heraldic and genealogical officer in charge of the Office of Arms, was made responsible for registering the Order’s membership and caring for its insignia. (3)
The statutes or rules of the Order of St Patrick were revised in 1905, and it was ordered that the jewelled insignia of the Grand Master and the collars and badges of the members should be deposited in a steel safe in the strongroom of the Office of Arms. The Office of Arms was located in Dublin Castle, and in 1903 moved from the Bermingham Tower to the Bedford Tower. The serving Ulster King of Arms was Sir Arthur Vicars, who had been appointed in 1893. Other, largely honorary office-holders under Vicars were Pierce Gun Mahony, Cork Herald, Francis (Frank) Shackleton, Dublin Herald, and Francis Bennett Goldney, Athlone Pursuivant. Mahony was a nephew of Vicars, while Shackleton, the brother of the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, was a housemate of Vicars. After fitting out of the new premises in the Bedford Tower had been completed, it was found that the Ratner safe in which the Order’s insignia were to be kept was too large to fit through the door of the strongroom. By agreement with the Board of Works it was therefore decided to leave the safe in the Library until a more suitably-sized safe could be obtained, but this was never done. While seven latch keys to the door of the Office of Arms were held by Vicars and his staff, there were only two keys to the safe containing the insignia, both held by Vicars. (4)
The last occasion on which the Jewels were seen in the safe was on 11 June 1907, when Vicars showed them to John Crawford Hodgson, the librarian of the Duke of Northumberland. On the morning of Wednesday 3 July there was a strange occurrence, when Mrs Farrell the office cleaner found the entrance door unlocked, told William Stivey the messenger, who on informing Vicars received the rather offhand reply, ‘Is that so?’, or ‘Did she?’. On the morning of Saturday 6 July there was an even more alarming occurrence, when Mrs Farrell found the door of the strongroom ajar, and on being informed by Stivey, Vicars again replied casually, taking no further action.
At about 2.15pm on the same day, 6 July, Vicars gave Stivey the key of the safe and a box containing the collar of a deceased knight, asking him to deposit it in the safe. This was most unusual, as Stivey had never before held the safe key in his hand. Stivey found the safe door unlocked and immediately informed Vicars, who came and opened the safe to find that the Jewels, five Knights’ collars and some diamonds belonging to Vicars’s mother were all gone. The police were called, and in the subsequent investigation lock experts established that the safe lock had not been tampered with, but had been opened with a key. While Mahony was not in the Office of Arms from April until 4 July, except one day in May, Shackleton and Goldney appeared not to have visited the premises or indeed been in Ireland between 11 June and 6 July.

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