Iye Du Mackay, 12th of Strathnaver facts for kids
Iye Du Mackay (also known as Iye Mackay) was an important leader of the Clan Mackay. This was a powerful Highland family in Scotland. He was the 12th chief of Strathnaver and led his clan from 1550 to 1572.
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Early Life of Iye Du Mackay
Iye Du Mackay was the oldest son of Donald Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver. Donald was the chief of Clan Mackay. His mother was Helen Sinclair, whose father was Alexander Sinclair of Stempster. Alexander was related to William Sinclair, 2nd Earl of Caithness, a chief of the Clan Sinclair. Iye Du Mackay became the clan chief after his father Donald passed away in late 1550.
Military Adventures
Iye Du Mackay was captured by the English in 1542. This happened when he fought in the Battle of Solway Moss. Henry VIII of England wanted Scotland and England to unite. He hoped his son Edward would marry the young Mary, Queen of Scots.
King Henry treated the Scottish prisoners well. He let them return home without paying a ransom. But they had to promise to support his plan. If they didn't, they had to return to England.
In 1544, Iye Du Mackay and 19 of his men fought in the Battle of Glasgow. The Earl of Arran was Scotland's Governor. But other powerful earls, like Glencairn, Angus, and Lennox, formed an alliance. They attacked Arran in Glasgow, but Arran won. Mackay and his men were forgiven for their part. After this, Mackay went back to England. He served in the English army for three years.
It is known that Mackay was at the Siege of Haddington in 1548. Some historians say he fought against the English. However, other records show he actually fought for the English.
When his father Donald died, Iye Du Mackay returned to Strathnaver. He needed to secure his family's lands. For 20 years, he faced challenges from George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly and John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland. He struggled to get legal ownership of his father's lands.
In 1551, a Parliament meeting took place. The Earl of Huntly and the Earl of Sutherland opposed Iye Du Mackay. He was not popular with the party of Mary of Guise. In 1552, Mary of Guise held a court in Inverness. She invited Mackay, John MacDonald of Moidart, and the Earl of Caithness. But they all refused to come. Historians believe Mackay knew he would be arrested if he went. So, he wisely stayed home.
In 1553, a complaint was made to the Privy Council. Mackay and the Earl of Caithness were called to Inverness again. They were to appear before the Earl of Huntly. Huntly was the "Lieutenant General" of the area. However, Huntly failed to capture John of Moidart. Huntly himself was later imprisoned by his enemies.
The Earl of Sutherland was given permission by Mary of Guise to capture Mackay. He laid siege to Mackay in Borve Castle. Hugh Kennedy of Girvanmains joined the Earl of Sutherland. Kennedy sailed from Leith on a ship called the Lion. This ship had cannons from Edinburgh Castle.
Iye Du Mackay found himself surrounded by cannons. He slipped away from the castle. He left his cousin, Rory mac-Ean mor Mackay, in charge. Borve Castle was eventually broken into. Iye Du Mackay was later captured. He was held in Dumbarton Castle from February to October 1555. During his absence, his cousin, John Mor Mackay, attacked Sutherland. But they were defeated at the Battle of Garbharry by the Clan Sutherland.
On October 5, 1562, Mary, Queen of Scots, fully forgave Iye Du Mackay. This was for his support of the English at Haddington in 1548. Later that month, the Clan Mackay helped defeat the Earl of Huntly. This happened at the Battle of Corrichie. Huntly was killed in the battle. His son, Sir John Gordon, was captured and later executed. The Earl of Sutherland, who had fled, was also sentenced to death. This sentence was later changed, and he was allowed to return to Scotland.
Disputes Over Land
In 1567, Parliament confirmed a gift from the queen. This gift gave Mackay's lands of Strathnaver to the newly restored George Gordon, 5th Earl of Huntly. Huntly later gave these lands to his cousin, the Earl of Sutherland.
It was claimed that Mackay's father, Donald, was not born legally. This would mean he couldn't inherit his father's estates. But Donald Mackay had held the lands with a special document. It was granted to him by James V of Scotland.
Finally, in 1570, an agreement was made. Huntly, Sutherland, and Mackay agreed that Huntly would sell the Strathnaver lands to Mackay. The price was 3000 merks. Huntly would still keep some feudal rights over the land. Huntly later gave these rights to the Earl of Sutherland. However, by April 1571, Mackay officially owned the lands of Strathnaver.
Later Conflicts
Between 1570 and 1571, the Gordon Earl of Huntly and his cousin, the Gordon Earl of Sutherland, attacked the Clan Forbes in Aberdeen. They were very successful.
Meanwhile, Mackay and the Earl of Caithness swept into Sutherland. They took over Dunrobin Castle. Many of the Earl of Sutherland's followers did not stop them. For example, Murray of Aberscross fled to Strathbogie. Gordon of Drummuie went to Orkney. Gray of Skibo Castle escaped to St Andrews.
Family Life
Iye Du Mackay passed away in November 1572. He first married his cousin, Helen. She was the daughter of Hugh MacLeod of Assint. Because they were first cousins, their children could not legally inherit his title. They had two sons:
- Donald Balloch Mackay. He was the ancestor of the Mackay of Scoury family branch. He fought at the Battle of Clynetradwell in 1590. He was also an ancestor of the famous General Hugh Mackay of Scoury.
- John Beg Mackay. He was killed in a small fight in 1579 in Balnakeil, a parish in Durness.
Iye Du Mackay married a second time to Christian. She was the daughter of John Sinclair of Duns, Caithness. They had two sons and three daughters:
- Huistean Du Mackay, 13th of Strathnaver. He became the clan chief after his father.
- William Mackay, 1st of Bighouse. He was the ancestor of the Mackay of Bighouse family branch.
- Eleanor Mackay. She married Donald Bane MacLeod of Assint.
- Jane Mackay. She married Alexander Sutherland of Berriedale.
- Barbara Mackay. She married Alexander Macdavid, a leader of the Clan Gunn.
See also
