Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Mackenzie traditionally reckoned 7th of Kintail
and nicknamed Coinneach a'bhlair (or “Kenneth of the Battle”), was a Highland
chief, being head of the Clan Mackenzie
.
from the Crown before 1479 of Ardovale (Ardival), near Strathpeffer
, and appears repeatedly in records as refusing to pay the fermes (feudal payments) for his land and defying the Crown's officers. In 1486 he also had a charter from the Earl of Ross
of the lands of Meyne, the two Scatwells (Meikle and Little), Innermany (Invermeinie), Inverchoran, and Kinloch Beannacharain.
At some point between 1485 and 1491, Kenneth led a force of Mackenzies to victory over Alexander Macdonald of Lochalsh
at the Battle of Blar Na Pairce.
He was served heir to his father in the lands of Kintail on 2 September 1488, at Dingwall
, but died less than four years later on 7 February 1492. He was buried at Beauly Priory
, where his tomb may still be found.
. He subsequently divorced her, having had by her a son and his heir, Kenneth Mackenzie, 8th of Kintail
. He married secondly Agnes Fraser, who survived him. By Agnes, he had:
Kintail
Kintail is an area of mountains in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It consists of the mountains to the north of Glen Shiel and the A87 road between the heads of Loch Duich and Loch Cluanie; its boundaries, other than Glen Shiel, are generally taken to be the valleys of Strath Croe and Gleann...
and nicknamed Coinneach a'bhlair (or “Kenneth of the Battle”), was a Highland
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
chief, being head of the Clan Mackenzie
Clan MacKenzie
Clan Mackenzie is a Highland Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire.-Origins:The Mackenzies, a powerful clan of Celtic stock, were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestry. Descendants of the long defunct royal Cenél Loairn of Dál Riata, they...
.
Origins
Kenneth was the eldest son of Alexander Mackenzie of Kintail (d.1488) and Anna, the daughter of John Macdougall of Dunolly. Although traditionally identified as the 7th chief of the Kintail line, he was in fact only the second (after his father) of whom incontrovertible contemporary evidence survives.Career
Kenneth had a tackTacksman
A tacksman was a land-holder of intermediate legal and social status in Scottish Highland society.-Tenant and landlord:...
from the Crown before 1479 of Ardovale (Ardival), near Strathpeffer
Strathpeffer
Strathpeffer is a village and former spa town in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland, with a population of 1,469.-Geography:It lies in a glen 5 miles west of Dingwall, with varying elevation from 200 to 400 feet above sea level...
, and appears repeatedly in records as refusing to pay the fermes (feudal payments) for his land and defying the Crown's officers. In 1486 he also had a charter from the Earl of Ross
John of Islay, Earl of Ross
John of Islay was a late medieval Scottish magnate. He was Earl of Ross and last Lord of the Isles as well as being Mac Domhnaill, chief of Clan Donald....
of the lands of Meyne, the two Scatwells (Meikle and Little), Innermany (Invermeinie), Inverchoran, and Kinloch Beannacharain.
At some point between 1485 and 1491, Kenneth led a force of Mackenzies to victory over Alexander Macdonald of Lochalsh
Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh
-History:The MacDonald of Lochalsh branch was founded by Celestine MacDonald . Celestine MacDonald was the second son of Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross, 3rd Lord of the Isles and 8th chief of Clan Donald...
at the Battle of Blar Na Pairce.
He was served heir to his father in the lands of Kintail on 2 September 1488, at Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
, but died less than four years later on 7 February 1492. He was buried at Beauly Priory
Beauly Priory
Beauly Priory was a Valliscaulian monastic community located at "Insula de Achenbady", now Beauly, Inverness-shire. It was probably founded in 1230. It is not known for certain who the founder was, different sources giving Alexander II of Scotland, John Byset, and both...
, where his tomb may still be found.
Family
Kenneth married first Margaret, daughter of John of Islay, Earl of RossJohn of Islay, Earl of Ross
John of Islay was a late medieval Scottish magnate. He was Earl of Ross and last Lord of the Isles as well as being Mac Domhnaill, chief of Clan Donald....
. He subsequently divorced her, having had by her a son and his heir, Kenneth Mackenzie, 8th of Kintail
Kenneth Mackenzie, 8th of Kintail
Kenneth Mackenzie , or "Coinneach Oig", traditionally reckoned 8th of Kintail, was a Highland chief, being head of the Clan Mackenzie.-Origins:...
. He married secondly Agnes Fraser, who survived him. By Agnes, he had:
- John Mackenzie, 9th of KintailJohn Mackenzie, 9th of KintailJohn Mackenzie , or "John of Killin", traditionally reckoned 9th of Kintail, was a Highland chief, being head of the Clan Mackenzie.-Origins and education:...
, who succeeded his elder half-brother - Alexander Mackenzie, ancestor of the Mackenzies of DavochmaluagFoddertyFodderty is a small hamlet, close to Dingwall, Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands and is in the Scottish council area of Highland.The small hamlet of Bottacks is located 1 mile to the west and just to the east is Brae or Brea, formed in 1777 from the lands of Davochcarn, Davochmaluag and...
- Roderick (died 17 March 1533), ancestor of the Mackenzies of Achilty
- Kenneth, priest of AvochAvochAvoch is a harbour-village located on the south-east coast of the Black Isle, on the Moray Firth.Ormond Castle or Avoch Castle was a stronghold built on the site and served as a royal castle to William the Lion; passed on to the Morays of Petty then Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway, upon his...
and vicar of Conveth and ancestor of the Mackenzies of Suddie - Agnes, who married Roderick Macleod of Lewis
- Catherine, who married Hector Munro, 13th Baron of FoulisHector Munro, 13th Baron of FoulisHector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis was a Scottish clan chief of the highland Clan Munro in Rosshire. He is by tradition 13th Baron of Foulis and 16th overall chief of the clan. He is however only the 6th chief of the Clan Munro who can be proved by contemporary evidence.-Lands and charters:Hector...