Gille Ruadh facts for kids
Gille Ruadh was a leader from Galloway who started a rebellion against King Alexander II of Scotland. We don't know when he was born or died, or much about his early life.
In 1234, Alan, Lord of Galloway passed away. He was a powerful ruler in Galloway. After his death, there was no clear, rightful leader for the region. King Alexander II of Scotland decided to divide Galloway among the husbands of Alan's three daughters. These husbands were Roger de Quincy, John de Balliol, and William de Forz. They were all powerful noblemen from England or France.
However, Alan also had a son named Thomas. Even though Thomas was not born in marriage, the people of Galloway and their local leaders believed he was a rightful heir. Because of this, the people of Galloway and their religious leaders rose up against the Scottish king's plan.
The Galloway Rebellion
The rebellion in Galloway began in 1235. Gille Ruadh led the people of Galloway in this fight. Records from the time, like those by Matthew Paris, say that fighters from the Isle of Man and Ireland also joined the revolt. Thomas, Alan's son, received help from his father-in-law, Hugh de Lacy, who was a powerful Earl in Ireland. Thomas also seemed to get support from other Irish leaders like Ruaidrí mac Ragnaill and the Uí Domnaill family.
King Alexander II soon led his army into Galloway to stop the rebellion. Gille Ruadh set a trap for the king's army. This surprise attack almost caused a big defeat for the king. But King Alexander was saved by Fearchar, a strong leader from Ross.
Gille Ruadh and Thomas managed to escape to Ireland. King Alexander went back north, leaving Walter Comyn, the Earl of Menteith, to take control of Galloway. Earl Walter's forces caused a lot of damage. They attacked towns and religious places like Glenluce Abbey and Tongland Abbey. The leaders of these abbeys were also punished.
Not long after, Gille Ruadh came back from Ireland with a new army. The king's forces who were left in Galloway quickly fled the region. But then, for reasons we don't know, Gille Ruadh decided to leave Thomas. He surrendered to Patrick II, Earl of Dunbar under good terms. Thomas also surrendered soon after.
The failure of this rebellion meant that Galloway could no longer be a separate, powerful region with its own rulers in northern Britain.
