Hamlet 3
Hamlet 3The MacKenzie's originated from Cailean(Colin) Fitzgerald form the
Norman family of the Earls of Desmond and dukes of Leinster in
Ireland,(McNie,1983). Supposedly he was driven from Ireland to the Court
of Alexander III, of Scotland.(McNie,1988). There he distinguished himself
in the battle of Largs one year later. After that battle he was given the title of Governor of Eileandonan by the King. Eileandonan was a strong castle in
Kintail, by Loch Dunich and Loch Long, today it's one of the most
photographed castles in Scotland.
Soon other titles were given to powerful MacKenzie's. Like Sir George
MacKnezie the first Earl of Cromarty,(McNie,1983), who wrote the charter
of 1266 in his Majesties service. The charter contains the events which lead
to the MacKenzies gaining there coat of arms. It tells the story of Cailean
who saved the King in the forest of Mar,(McNie,1983). The King was out
hunting and his hounds when a furious stag charged at him. Cailean stepped
in front of the charging deer and shot it in the forehead with an arrow. For his
bravery the King granted for arm's a stags head bleeding from the forehead
and as a crest a Dexter arm bearing a naked sword, and the motto "fide
parta,fide aucta," which has since being changed,(McNie,1983).
A later Earl of Cromarty said that Ceilean Fitzgerald wed a Kenneth
MacMhathoin, the Mathieson chiefs daughter,(McNie,1988). Ceileans wife
gave birth to a baby boy, which was named after the grandfather, Kenneth.
Soon after Ceilean was murdered by his father-in-law, because he was jealous
that a Irish descendant was given a Scottish title. All the later members of the
family took the name of Ceilean's son Kenneth, from there on the family name
was MacKenzie which means son of Kenneth.
The first chief of the MacKenzies was Alexander MacKenzie who held
the lands of Kintail,(McNie,1998). His relative William the Earl of Ross who
was married to Alexander's aunt, demanded that Alexander give the castle to
him. Alexander didn't give it up so he gathered neighboring clans that
included the MacIvers,Macaulay, and other families in Kintail. They managed
to hold of the Earl and they eventually defeated the attacking
forces,(McNie,1983).
Alexander married the daughter of the Earl of Lorne, who was a
Macdougall. Alexander's brother-in-law was Ian grandson of the Red Comyn,
so Ian took the place as Robert the Bruce. Robert the Bruce was the title
given to the unauthorized King of Scotland. Ian the King used the MacKenzie
castle,Eileandonan, as shelter for his monarch. Alexander was a supporter of
Ian and lead his army of 500 hundred strong into the battle of Inverury, aswell
as the battle of Bannockburn,(McNie,1983). Later his loyalty is answered
because it was found out that Alexander also married a daughter of a monarch
supporter.
After Alexander the MacKenzie chief Murdoch married a daughter of
MacLeod of Harris, who was a descendent of Olaf, King of Man, whose wife
was was also related to...
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