Malise mac Gilleain facts for kids

Malise mac Gilleain (born around 1250 – died 1300) was an important leader in Scottish history. He was the second chief of Clan Maclean, a powerful Scottish clan. Malise was a loyal supporter of Alexander III of Scotland, the King of Scotland. He played a key role in helping to push Haakon IV of Norway and his forces out of Scotland.

Early Life of Malise mac Gilleain

Malise was the son of Gillean of the Battle Axe, who was the first chief of Clan Maclean. Malise had other names too, like Maoliosa or Gille-Iosa. These names mean "servant of Jesus."

The Battle for Scotland's Islands

In the 13th century, there was a big disagreement between Scotland and Norway. Haakon IV of Norway claimed control over the Hebrides, a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland. The Scottish king, Alexander III of Scotland, wanted these islands back. He tried to negotiate with Haakon, but the Norwegian king refused to give them up or sell them.

In 1263, King Haakon decided to invade Scotland. He gathered a very large and impressive fleet of ships and a strong army. This force sailed towards the western parts of Scotland. When they reached the island of Kerrera, more Scottish islanders, including King Dugal, joined them. This made Haakon's fleet even bigger, with about one hundred ships.

The Norwegian forces split up. Some ships went south to plunder, meaning they raided and stole from the islands and the mainland. King Haakon himself sailed to Gigha and then to the Mull of Kintyre. His army caused a lot of damage.

However, King Alexander III of Scotland was ready. He gathered his own army to fight the invaders. The two armies met on October 2, 1263, at a place called Largs, on the coast of Ayrshire.

The Battle of Largs was a major event. A huge storm made it difficult for many of the Norwegian soldiers to get ashore. The Scottish army was well-prepared. They had skilled horsemen in heavy armor and foot soldiers with long spears and bows.

The Scottish army was divided into different groups. Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland, led the right side. Patrick III, Earl of Dunbar, led the left side. King Alexander III himself commanded the center of his army.

The battle began with the Scots attacking. The High Steward's group managed to get around the Norwegian army's left side. They then attacked King Haakon's center from behind. This surprise move forced King Haakon to retreat. The Norwegians suffered heavy losses, with thousands of their men left on the battlefield. The Scots had far fewer casualties.

Malise mac Gilleain fought bravely in this battle. He was recognized for his courage and important actions during the fight. His efforts helped the Scots win this crucial battle, which led to the Norwegians leaving Scotland.

Malise's Legacy

Malise mac Gilleain passed away in the year 1300. After his death, his son, Malcolm Maclean, 3rd Clan Chief, became the third chief of Clan Maclean. Malise is remembered for his loyalty to Scotland and his bravery in defending his homeland against the Norwegian invasion.