John Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver facts for kids
John Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver (died 1529), was an important leader, known as the eleventh chief, of the ancient Clan Mackay. This was a Scottish clan from the Scottish Highlands.
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Early Life of John Mackay
John Mackay, the 11th chief of Strathnaver, was the oldest son of Iye Roy Mackay, 10th of Strathnaver. His mother was the daughter of Norman O’Beolan from Carloway, Lewis. Their marriage didn't follow the rules of the church at the time. However, John's father, Iye Roy Mackay, got special permission from James IV of Scotland. This permission made his two sons, John and Donald Mackay, legitimate.
The Sutherland Earldom and Conflicts
On October 3, 1514, in Inverness, Elizabeth Sutherland, 10th Countess of Sutherland, became the official heir to her brother, John Sutherland, 9th Earl of Sutherland. Elizabeth was married to Adam Gordon, who was the brother of the Gordon Earl of Huntly.
Some historians, like Angus Mackay, believe the true heir should have been Elizabeth's half-brother, Alexander Sutherland. Alexander tried to claim the Earldom of Sutherland for himself. Sadly, he was killed in 1519 by people working for the Gordons. This event led to the Earldom of Sutherland passing from the Sutherland family to the Gordon family. One of John Mackay's sisters was married to Alexander Sutherland.
A historian from the 1600s, Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet, wrote that John Mackay and Alexander Sutherland were both born outside of marriage. However, historian Angus Mackay disagrees with this idea.
Sir Robert Gordon also wrote that between 1517 and 1522, John Mackay led his clan into Sutherland six times. He claimed the Mackays lost every one of these fights. According to Sir Robert Gordon, one battle was the Battle of Torran Dubh. He said Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland, convinced her half-brother Alexander Sutherland to fight John Mackay. Alexander later married John Mackay's sister.
However, historians Angus Mackay and Sir William Fraser have found proof that Alexander Sutherland was in prison in 1517. This means he could not have been at the Battle of Torran Dubh when it supposedly happened.
Angus Mackay says the Battle of Torran Dubh was actually fought by the Clan Mackay against the Murrays, Clan Ross, and Clan Gunn. It was not against the Sutherland family.
A few months after this battle, another small fight happened near Ross, in the area of Rogart. In this fight, William Mackay, a leader of the Mackay of Aberach part of the clan, was killed. His brother Donald also died. On the other side, John Murray of Aberscross was killed.
Soon after, the Mackays burned the town of Pitfure in Strathfleet, Rogart. But right after this, the Mackays and Adam Gordon, Earl of Sutherland, made a friendship agreement on August 16, 1518. In this agreement, Mackay renewed the promise of friendship his father had made with the Gordon Earl of Sutherland before him.
Angus Mackay believes Sir Robert Gordon was wrong to call these fights "defeats" for the Mackays. He also points out that Gordon did not mention that the Mackays gained land in Rogart that year. This was confirmed by official papers called the Reay Papers.
Angus Mackay also disagrees with Sir Robert Gordon's story that in 1522, Alexander Gordon, Master of Sutherland, defeated John Mackay at Lairg. Gordon claimed Mackay then gave in to the Earl of Sutherland. Angus Mackay explains that Earl Adam simply renewed the friendship agreement he had made with Mackay in 1518, but this time with his son Alexander.
Trouble with the Bishop
In 1529, William Sutherland, 6th of Duffus, was visiting Inverness. He was killed by a servant of Andrew Stuart, Bishop of Caithness. The bishop had encouraged this act.
The Gordon Earls of Huntly and Sutherland supported the bishop and saved him from punishment. However, John Mackay of Strathnaver took the side of Sutherland of Duffus. Mackay marched with his men towards the bishop's Skibo Castle. But during this journey, he became very sick. He was carried home and died almost immediately.
Family Life
John Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver, married Margaret. She was the daughter of Thomas Fraser, 2nd Lord Lovat, who became the chief of the Clan Fraser of Lovat in 1501.
John Mackay and Margaret Fraser had two daughters:
- A daughter who married Hugh Murray of Aberscross. They had a son named Hugh, who became the heir to his father. This grandson was also one of the heirs of John Mackay of Strathnaver. This is confirmed in an old document from February 21, 1581.
- A daughter who married the leader of Pulrossie.
After John Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver, died, his brother, Donald Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver, became the next chief.
See also
- Clan Mackay
- Chiefs of Clan Mackay
- Earl of Sutherland
- Bishop of Caithness
