Hector Mor Maclean, 12th Chief facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hector Mor Maclean, 12th Chief
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Hector Mor Maclean, 12th Chief wax seal from 1545
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| 12th Chief of Clan Maclean 8th Laird of Duart |
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| In office 1523-1568 (45 years) |
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| Preceded by | Lachlan Cattanach Maclean, 11th Chief, father |
| Succeeded by | Hector Og Maclean, 13th Chief, son |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1497 Duart Castle |
| Died | 1568 |
Eachann Mór Maclean (1497–1568), also known as Hector Mor Maclean or Hector Maclean the Great, was a powerful Scottish leader. The word "Mór" means great in Scottish Gaelic. He was the 12th Chief of Clan Maclean and the 8th owner, or laird, of Duart Castle.
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Hector Mor Maclean's Life
Hector Mor Maclean was born in Scotland in 1497. He became the Chief of Clan Maclean and Laird of Duart in 1527. His father, Lachlan Cattanach Maclean, 11th Chief, was the previous leader.
Important Actions and Achievements
In 1533, Hector Mor's Scottish galleys (a type of ship) captured a large English ship called the Mary Willoughby. This ship then joined the navy of James V of Scotland.
Old Scottish historians describe Hector Mor as a good, kind, and brave leader. They say he was a skilled politician and a strong warrior. He was everything his clan wanted in a chief.
He gave longer leases to many of his people. This helped them improve their lands and build better homes. He acted more like a modern noble than a traditional feudal lord. He made many improvements to the lands around Duart Castle. He also built a large new part, called the Great Tower, for Duart Castle.
Many powerful lords wanted to be his friend and ally. The king himself thought it was important to keep Hector Mor loyal. So, the king asked him to join his special council. This meant Hector Mor had a seat in the Scottish parliament as one of the kingdom's lords. In his personal life, he was seen as a very honest person. He followed the rules in his military actions.
Hector Mor Maclean passed away around the year 1568.
Family Life
Hector Mor Maclean married Mary MacDonald. She was the daughter of Alexander MacDonald, 5th of Dunnyveg. Together, they had two sons and seven daughters.
Hector Mor's Children
- Hector Og Maclean, 13th Chief: He became the next chief after his father.
- John Dubh Maclean of Morvern: He was the ancestor of the family who lived at Kinlochaline Castle.
- Marian Maclean: She married Norman MacLeod of Harris.
- Mary Maclean: She married Donald MacDonald of Sleat.
- Catherine Maclean I: She never married.
- Catherine Maclean II: She was a very spirited woman, known for her beauty and education. She married four times:
- First, to Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll.
- Second, to Calvagh O'Donnell, a lord from Ireland.
- Third, to Shane O'Neill, a prince from Ireland.
- Fourth, to John Stewart of Appin.
- Giles (or Silis) Maclean: She married Tormod MacLeod, who was the 13th Chief of his clan. She died in 1568.
- Una Maclean: She married a leader from the Cameron of Lochiel clan.
- Janet Maclean: She married Allan MacDonald, 9th of Clanranald.
