Alexander Óg
Encyclopedia
Alexander Óg Lord of Islay
(b.c. 1260 - 1308), was a Hebridean
magnate
active at the end of the 13th- and beginning of the 14th centuries. He was elder son of Aonghas Mór
, Lord of Islay and Kintyre, and succeeded to his father's titles upon his father's death in c.1295.
, because his father Angus had just turncoated himself from Norwegian alliance to Scottish.
In 1268, Angus Mor and Alasdair his eldest son, entered into an alliance known as the Turnberry Band
, to support a campaign in Ireland
and which later formed the basis that banded the group around the claim of the Bruce family to the Scottish throne.
, ruler of Lorne and chief of MacDougall
s, presumably by his Comyn
wife.
Juliana's father and brother, lords of Latharna and Lorne, had allied themselves to the pro-Baliol
and sometimes even pro-English faction, signaled by marriage of Alasdair's father-in-law Alasdair with Red Comyn's sister - that marriage produced Iain of Latharna.
After his father's death, Alasdair however was closely tied to the MacDougalls, and joined with them in their support of the English. He was appointed Admiral of the Western Seas, in around 1300.
Alasdair was already long-time ruler when the Red Comyn was murdered in 1306 by Robert the Bruce
, leader of the Scottish independence faction, who proclaimed himself as king Robert I. Alignments passed in a way that Alasdair with his wife's family were in opposition against The Bruce, and that brought him and the lordship of Islay into serious trouble.
After the Bruce had finally defeated Alasdair's brother-in-law John of Argyll, one of Bruce's worst enemies, at the Battle of the Pass of Brander near the Bridge of Awe
, and captured Alexander of Argyll (the father-in-law) in the stronghold of Dunstaffnage Castle
, he turned his attention to crushing Alasdair of Islay.
For this purpose the Scottish king had his galley drawn, like that of Magnus Barefoot before him, across the isthmus at Tarbert
, and besieged the Islay Lord in Castle Sween
, his usual residence. Alasdair was forced to surrender, and was forthwith imprisoned in Dundonald Castle
in Ayrshire
, where he died in 1308. At the same time his possessions and lordship of the Islay were forfeited and given to his younger brother Aonghas Óg, whose support had been of so much value to the Bruce, and who figures as the hero of Sir Walter Scott’s famous poem.
Lord of Islay
The Lord of Islay was a 13th and 14th century titles used by the chief of Clan Donald of Islay before they rose to assume the title "Lord of the Isles". The first person known to style themselves "Lord of Islay" was Aonghas Mór, son of Domhnall the progenitor of the MacDonalds.-List of lords of...
(b.c. 1260 - 1308), was a Hebridean
Inner Hebrides
The Inner Hebrides is an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. Together these two island chains form the Hebrides, which enjoy a mild oceanic climate. There are 36 inhabited islands and a further 43 uninhabited Inner Hebrides with an area greater than...
magnate
Magnate
Magnate, from the Late Latin magnas, a great man, itself from Latin magnus 'great', designates a noble or other man in a high social position, by birth, wealth or other qualities...
active at the end of the 13th- and beginning of the 14th centuries. He was elder son of Aonghas Mór
Aonghas Mór
Aonghas Mór , also known as Aonghas a Íle and Aonghas mac Domhnaill , was the son of Domhnall mac Raghnaill, eponymous progenitor of Clan Donald.Aonghas Mór has been called "the first MacDonald" by one historian, namely...
, Lord of Islay and Kintyre, and succeeded to his father's titles upon his father's death in c.1295.
Early life
As a child, Alasdair was in 1264 a hostage in the court of King Alexander III of ScotlandAlexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
, because his father Angus had just turncoated himself from Norwegian alliance to Scottish.
In 1268, Angus Mor and Alasdair his eldest son, entered into an alliance known as the Turnberry Band
The Turnberry Band
The Turnberry Band was a group of Scottish and Irish nobles who signed an alliance on 20 September 1286 at Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland, whose aid was enlisted for a campaign in Ireland and which later formed the basis that banded the group around the claim of the Bruce family to the...
, to support a campaign in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and which later formed the basis that banded the group around the claim of the Bruce family to the Scottish throne.
Marriage and Alliance
Alasdair added considerably to his power and influence by marriage with Juliana mac Doughall of Lorne, one of the daughters of Alexander of ArgyllAlexander of Argyll
Alexander of Argyll or Alexander of Lorne, also known as Alexander MacDougall , was a Scottish magnate from the late 13th and early 14th century, and was chief of Clan MacDougall. Alexander was the son of Ewen MacDougall, Lord of Argyll...
, ruler of Lorne and chief of MacDougall
Clan MacDougall
Clan MacDougall is a Highland Scottish clan consisting of the descendants of Dubgall mac Somairle, son of Somerled, who ruled Lorne and the Isle of Mull in Argyll in the 13th century...
s, presumably by his Comyn
Comyn
Comyn can refer to:* Clan Comyn, another name for Clan Cumming.People* Dan Comyn, an Irish cricketer.* Stephen George Comyn, Naval chaplain to Lord Nelson* Valens Comyn, English MP* William Leslie Comyn, Californian shipbuilder...
wife.
Juliana's father and brother, lords of Latharna and Lorne, had allied themselves to the pro-Baliol
House of Balliol
The House of Balliol was a Picard and Anglo-Norman family who began to rule some estates in England in the reign of William Rufus. In the late 13th and 14th centuries, two members of the house were kings of Scotland....
and sometimes even pro-English faction, signaled by marriage of Alasdair's father-in-law Alasdair with Red Comyn's sister - that marriage produced Iain of Latharna.
After his father's death, Alasdair however was closely tied to the MacDougalls, and joined with them in their support of the English. He was appointed Admiral of the Western Seas, in around 1300.
Alasdair was already long-time ruler when the Red Comyn was murdered in 1306 by Robert the Bruce
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
, leader of the Scottish independence faction, who proclaimed himself as king Robert I. Alignments passed in a way that Alasdair with his wife's family were in opposition against The Bruce, and that brought him and the lordship of Islay into serious trouble.
After the Bruce had finally defeated Alasdair's brother-in-law John of Argyll, one of Bruce's worst enemies, at the Battle of the Pass of Brander near the Bridge of Awe
Bridge of Awe
The Bridge of Awe was a triple-spanned arch bridge near Taynuilt in Argyll, Scotland.-History:In 1753 the Bonawe Iron Furnace was constructed on the north side of Taynuilt. The furnace was of such strategic importance that in 1756 a military road was built to reach it, crossing the Pass of Brander...
, and captured Alexander of Argyll (the father-in-law) in the stronghold of Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle is a partially ruined castle in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It lies N.N.E. of Oban, situated on a platform of conglomerate rock on a promontory at the south-west of the entrance to Loch Etive, and is surrounded on three sides by the sea.The castle dates back to the 13th...
, he turned his attention to crushing Alasdair of Islay.
For this purpose the Scottish king had his galley drawn, like that of Magnus Barefoot before him, across the isthmus at Tarbert
Tarbert, Argyll and Bute
Tarbert is a village in Scotland. It is built around East Loch Tarbert, an inlet of Loch Fyne, and extends over the isthmus which links the peninsula of Kintyre to Knapdale and West Loch Tarbert...
, and besieged the Islay Lord in Castle Sween
Castle Sween
Castle Sween is located on the eastern shore of Loch Sween, in Knapdale, on the west coast of Argyll, Scotland. Castle Sween is thought to be one of the earliest stone castles built in Scotland, having been built sometime in the late twelfth century...
, his usual residence. Alasdair was forced to surrender, and was forthwith imprisoned in Dundonald Castle
Dundonald Castle
Dundonald Castle is situated on a hill overlooking the village of Dundonald, between Kilmarnock and Troon in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Dundonald Castle is a fortified tower house built for Robert II on his accession to the throne of Scotland in 1371 and it was used as a royal residence by the early...
in Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, where he died in 1308. At the same time his possessions and lordship of the Islay were forfeited and given to his younger brother Aonghas Óg, whose support had been of so much value to the Bruce, and who figures as the hero of Sir Walter Scott’s famous poem.
Family
Alexander Macdonald and Juliana Macdougall had:- Iain 'Dubh' Macdonald
- Reginald Macdonald
- Somerled Macdonald
- Angus Macdonald
- Godfrey Macdonald
- Charles Macdonald