Gilchrist MacNachtan facts for kids
Gilchrist MacNachtan was an important Scottish leader in the 1200s. He was also known as Cristinus. Gilchrist was the son of Malcolm MacNachtan. He was likely from a place in Scotland called Lorne. Gilchrist is one of the earliest known members of the Clan Macnaghten family.
Grants and Family Connections
Gilchrist MacNachtan was a powerful person in his time. We know this from two old documents, called charters. These documents are from around 1246 and 1247. They show that Gilchrist gave land and the church of Kilmorich to Inchaffray Abbey. This abbey was a type of monastery. The church was located at the top of Loch Fyne.
The first document calls Gilchrist a "baron of the realm." This means he was an important noble or lord. Both documents also mention his wife, Bethoc. They also name his father, Malcolm MacNachtan. An old wax seal is attached to the second document. This seal shows a special family symbol. It might mean Gilchrist's family was connected to another family called the Bissetts.
Fraoch Eilean Castle
In 1267, Alexander III, King of Scots, gave Gilchrist an important job. He put Gilchrist in charge of the castle on Fraoch Eilean. This is an island in Loch Awe. The king's document said Gilchrist would hold the castle for the king. He also had to offer a place to stay for the king whenever he visited.
Some people think this document might not be completely real. However, the idea of Gilchrist being in charge of the castle makes sense. At that time, the Scottish king was trying to gain more control. He wanted to strengthen his power in the western parts of Scotland. This was happening after a peace agreement called the Treaty of Perth. The castle on Fraoch Eilean was built a long time ago. Its oldest parts look like the early parts of Castle Sween.
Later Life and Legacy
Gilchrist MacNachtan passed away sometime before 1277. In that year, an agreement was made between Hugh of Abernethy and Gilchrist's widow, Ethena. This agreement shows that Ethena owned a third of Gilchrist's lands. She had this right "by the law of the land."
It's not clear if Ethena was the same person as Bethoc, Gilchrist's earlier wife. Her name might have been written differently in Latin. Or, Ethena might have been a later wife of Gilchrist. Gilchrist is one of the first members of the Clan Macnaghten family to be written about in history. His father, Malcolm, is the earliest. Other old records show that Gilchrist had two brothers named Ath and Gilbert.
