Meic Uilleim facts for kids
The Meic Uilleim (which means MacWilliams) were a powerful family in Scotland. They were descendants of William fitz Duncan, who was the grandson of King Malcolm III. This made them part of the royal family. However, during the 1100s, they were not chosen to be kings. Instead, the descendants of Malcolm's son David I became kings. Because of this, the Meic Uilleim started several rebellions. They wanted to rule the area of Moray and perhaps even all of Scotland.
Who Were the Meic Uilleim?
William fitz Duncan was once considered a possible heir to the Scottish throne, especially during the reigns of Kings Alexander I and David I. But when King David's son, Henry, grew up, he became the main heir instead.
William fitz Duncan was given large lands in Moray. These lands had belonged to Óengus, who was the ruler of Moray and a grandson of King Lulach. Óengus had been killed in a battle against King David I's army in 1130.
When William fitz Duncan died in 1147, his lands in the south went to his son, William of Egremont. But the king kept control of Moray.
William fitz Duncan also had a son named Domnall mac Uilleim. Historians now believe Domnall was a legitimate son of William. It is thought that Domnall's mother might have been a daughter of Óengus of Moray. This connection to the old rulers of Moray helped the Meic Uilleim gain strong support in that region. It also showed that they were truly descended from Scottish kings.
The Meic Uilleim Rebellions
Domnall mac Uilleim's Fight
Even though Domnall mac Uilleim was likely the rightful heir to Moray, King David did not give him control of the province after his father's death. This was probably because Domnall was still a child and not ready to rule such a difficult and distant area.
Domnall first clearly appears in historical records in the late 1170s. However, he might have been involved in some troubles in Moray during the 1160s, when Malcolm IV was king.
In 1179, King William and his brother Earl David led an army north to Ross. They likely went there to deal with a threat from Domnall and his supporters. Two years later, Domnall was reported to be in Scotland with a large army.
The king's main focus at this time was on problems in Galloway. Once King William made a peace agreement with Lochlann, Lord of Galloway, he could finally focus on Moray and Ross.
By then, Domnall seemed to control much of the northern lands. The royal castle at Auldearn was betrayed, and a new town there was destroyed. In 1187, a royal army tried to fight Domnall but failed. The leaders argued among themselves because, as one writer said, "some loved the king not at all." A second army, led by Lochlann of Galloway, finally defeated Domnall at the Battle of Mam Garvia. This battle is thought to have happened near Dingwall or in Moray.
Adam mac Domnaill
In 1186, a man named Adam, son of Domnall, who was called "the king's outlaw," was killed. He was killed by Máel Coluim, the ruler of Atholl, inside a church at Cupar. The church was then burned, and 58 of Adam's friends died inside.
It is possible that this Adam mac Domnaill was a son of Domnall mac Uilleim. If so, his presence far south in Cupar suggests that Domnall was fighting not just for Moray, but for the kingship of Scotland itself. However, we are not completely sure if this Adam was indeed Domnall's son.
Gofraid mac Domnaill's Rebellion
After Domnall and Adam died, the Meic Uilleim were quiet for a few years. During this time, Harald Maddadsson, the ruler of Orkney, became the main challenge to King William's power in northern Scotland.
However, in 1211, Gofraid (also known as Guthred), another son of Domnall, arrived from Ireland. He landed in Ross and started a new rebellion. King William led a large army north, but he could not defeat Gofraid in a major battle. Later that year, King William went back south, leaving Maol Choluim, the ruler of Fife, in charge of Moray. Soon after, Gofraid captured a royal castle, showing he was still strong.
The next year, Alexander (who would later become King Alexander II), King William's son, led an army north again. King William followed with even more soldiers, including hired fighters from Brabant (a region in Europe) who were sent by King John of England.
Before a big battle could happen, Gofraid's own supporters betrayed him to William Comyn, a powerful royal official. Gofraid was then executed on the king's orders. Gofraid's rebellion was a serious threat to the aging King William, even though it ended quite quickly.
Domnall Bán mac Domnaill's Invasion
King William died in 1214, and his son Alexander became king. The new leader of the Meic Uilleim was Domnall Bán, who was Gofraid's brother. He teamed up with Cináed, the leader of another family called the MacHeths, and an Irish prince. Together, they launched another invasion.
However, this invasion failed very quickly. It was crushed by Ferchar mac in tSagairt, who would later become the ruler of Ross. Ferchar killed the leaders and sent their heads to King Alexander.
Gille Escoib's Last Stand
The failure of the 1215 invasion and the death of Domnall Bán did not stop the Meic Uilleim from trying to claim Moray and the Scottish throne. Gille Escoib (or Gillescop) Meic Uilleim and his sons were actively rebelling in the 1220s. We don't know exactly how Gille Escoib was related, but he was likely a son or grandson of Domnall.
Gille Escoib's revolt probably began in 1228 and ended in 1229. It might have ended like Gofraid's, with betrayal and execution, or perhaps he was defeated by William Comyn.
By this time, the MacWilliams had gathered their families and forces in a very strong defensive area between the Cairngorms and the Grey Mountains. After Gille Escoib's revolt was defeated, this region became known as Badenoch. It was then given to the Comyn family, who became the Lords of Badenoch. This marked the end of the Meic Uilleim's major rebellions.
