Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles |
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18th century illustration of some of the tombs of Oronsay Priory, founded by Donalds's father John sometime before 1358
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| Predecessor | John of Islay, Lord of the Isles |
| Successor | Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross |
| Born | Scotland |
| Died | 1423 Islay, Scotland |
| Spouse | Mary Leslie, Countess of Ross |
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| House | Clan Donald |
| Father | John of Islay, Lord of the Isles |
| Mother | Margaret of Scotland |
Donald, Lord of the Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Dómhnall) was an important leader in Scotland. He was the son of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles and became the chief of Clan Donald. Donald lived in the 14th and 15th centuries, dying in 1423.
The Lordship of the Isles was like a mini-kingdom. It was based around the island of Islay on Scotland's west coast. Under Donald's father, this area grew to include many islands and parts of the mainland. These mainland areas included Morvern, Garmoran, Lochaber, Kintyre, and Knapdale.
Donald was also related to the Scottish royal family. His grandfather was King Robert II of Scotland. This made him a first cousin to King Robert III. Donald was proud of his royal connections. He even added a special royal border to his family's coat of arms.
Some people think the Lords of the Isles were very different from other Scottish leaders. However, Donald was like many other powerful nobles of his time. These nobles controlled large areas of land with little interference from the king. Important families like the Douglases and the Albany Stewarts also had similar power.
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Donald's Early Rule
When Donald first became Lord of the Isles, he had to deal with a challenge. His younger brother, John Mór, started a rebellion. John was unhappy with the small amount of land he inherited. Even though he was meant to be the next heir if Donald didn't have a son, he only got small pieces of land.
The rebellion began in 1387 and lasted into the 1390s. It was supported by the MacKinnons, including their chief and a religious leader. The MacLeans and MacLeods also joined John. However, Donald defeated them. The MacKinnon chief was hanged, and the religious leader was put in prison for life.
Eventually, John Mór gave up and Donald forgave him. John then went to Ulster, a region in Ireland. There, he married Margery Bisset and became a lord himself. Like Donald, John Mór also made alliances with the English kings, Richard II of England and Henry IV.
Fighting for Power in Scotland
After settling things with his brother, Donald looked to expand his influence. He turned his attention north and east. Much of this area was controlled by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan. He was famously known as the "Wolf of Badenoch."
The Stewart family had been gaining power in the Scottish Highlands. Alexander Stewart controlled the lordship of Badenoch and the earldom of Buchan. He was also appointed "Lieutenant of the North." This gave him a lot of control over northern Scotland.
However, people complained about Alexander Stewart's war bands. His power also became a threat to the king and other nobles. In 1388, Robert Stewart, who was then the Earl of Fife, took away Alexander's important legal role.
Donald and his brother, Alexander of Lochaber, saw this as an opportunity. In 1394, Alexander of Lochaber made a deal with another powerful earl. He took over Alexander Stewart's role as "protector" of rich lands in the lowlands. By 1395, the MacDonalds controlled Urquhart Castle. They also gave control of Duart Castle to the Macleans.
Conflict with the Duke of Albany
Soon, Robert Stewart, who became the Duke of Albany, turned against Donald's family. Alexander of Lochaber was using his new role to gain more power for himself. He even gave church lands to his soldiers.
In 1398, the Duke of Albany was asked to stop Alexander. However, his planned military trip did not happen. Alexander of Lochaber continued his activities. In 1402, he raided and burned the town of Elgin. He also burned the homes of the church leaders there. For this, he was banned from the church. Later, Alexander visited the bishop and was forgiven.
Claiming the Earldom of Ross
In the same year, a powerful noble named Alexander Leslie, Earl of Ross died. Donald then pushed for his wife, Mariota, to inherit the Earldom of Ross. Mariota was Alexander Leslie's sister. Donald wanted to gain control of this important earldom.
Sometime between 1405 and 1411, Donald took control of Dingwall Castle. This was the main castle of the Earldom of Ross. The local people welcomed him to Ross.
After King Robert III died, Donald sent messengers to England. He wanted to contact James Stewart, who was the heir to the Scottish throne but was held captive in England. The English King Henry IV of England then sent his own messengers to Donald. They wanted to form an alliance against the Duke of Albany.
With control over Dingwall Castle and support from the future Scottish king, Donald felt strong. In 1411, he led an army of 10,000 men from the Isles and Ross. They marched against the Duke of Albany's main ally in the north, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar.
At the Battle of Harlaw, Donald won a major victory. After the battle, he returned to the western Highlands and Islands.
After the battle, the Duke of Albany managed to take back Dingwall Castle. He also seized control of Easter Ross. In 1415, the next heir of Ross, Euphemia II, gave the earldom to Albany. Donald prepared for war and declared himself "Lord of Ross." Even though Albany gave the earldom to his own son, Donald's wife still believed she was the rightful Countess.
Donald died in 1423 on the island of Islay. His son, Alexander, became the next Lord of the Isles and Earl of Ross.
Donald's Family
Donald married Mariota Leslie of Ross. She eventually became the Countess of Ross. They had several children:
- Alexander Macdonald, 10th Earl of Ross (died 1449)
- Angus Macdonald, who became a bishop
- Mariota Macdonald, who married Alexander Sutherland
- Anna Macdonald, who married Robert Maclayman Lamont
- Agnes Macdonald, who married John Stewart
- Marjory Macdonald, who married Roderick MacNeil
