John Mór Tanister facts for kids

John Mór Tanister MacDonald (in Scottish Gaelic: Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill), was an important Scottish-Gaelic lord. He lived a long time ago and died in 1427. He is known for starting a powerful family group called Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.

Life of John Mór Tanister MacDonald

Early Life and Family

John Mór Tanister MacDonald was the second son of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles. His mother was Princess Margaret Stewart. She was the daughter of King Robert II. This means John Mór came from a very important and royal family!

Inheritance and Rebellion

When his father passed away, John Mór received a lot of land. He got 120 merklands (a type of land measurement) in Kintyre. He also received castles like Dunaverty, Skipness, and Airds. On the island of Islay, he got 60 merklands and Dunyvaig Castle.

However, John Mór was not happy with his share. He believed he should have been the main heir, or tanister. A tanister was someone chosen to be the next leader. Because of this, he started a rebellion against his older brother, Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles.

This fight began in 1387 and continued into the 1390s. John Mór even got help from another strong family, Clan MacLean. But in the end, John Mór and the MacLeans had to give up. By 1395, John Mór was forced to leave Scotland and go to Ireland.

Life in Ireland

Once in Ireland, John Mór started working for the Kings of England. First, he served King Richard II of England. Later, he worked for King Henry IV.

He married a woman named Margery Byset. She was the daughter of the MacEoin Bisset, Lord of the Glens. It was believed that through this marriage, John Mór received the Glens and Rathlin Island in Ireland. This is why he became known as the Lord of Dunnyvaig and the Glens.

Battles and Later Years

John Mór was a brave fighter. He led the reserve forces at the Battle of Harlaw. This big battle happened on July 24, 1411, near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire.

Later, he also fought alongside Robert Stewart. Robert Stewart was the Regent of Albany, which means he ruled Scotland for the king. They went to Argyll to make John Mór's brother, Dómhnall Íle, surrender.

Sadly, John Mór was attacked and killed in 1427. This happened after a planned meeting at Ard-du, Islay. Many people believe he was buried at Finlaggan.

Children of John Mór

John Mór Tanister MacDonald had two known children:

• Donald Balloch MacDonald (who died in 1476). He married Johanna, who was the daughter of Conn O'Neill.
• Ranald Bane MacDonald, 1st of Largie. He was an illegitimate son. His mother was a daughter of Finguine MacKinnon.