Stand-off at Bengrime facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stand-off at Bengrime |
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| Part of Clan Sutherland – Clan Sinclair feud | |||||||
  Coats of arms of the Earl of Sutherland (left) and Earl of Caithness (right) |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Army of the Earl of Caithness: Clan Sinclair |
Army of the Earl of Sutherland: Clan Sutherland Clan Mackay Clan Munro MacLeods of Assynt |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness | John Gordon, 13th Earl of Sutherland | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | None | ||||||
The Stand-off at Bengrime was a tense moment in 1601. It happened between the armies of two powerful Scottish clan leaders. These were John Gordon, 13th Earl of Sutherland, who was the chief of Clan Sutherland, and George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness, the chief of Clan Sinclair. The event took place in Bengrime, a place in Sutherland, Scotland. No actual battle happened, but it was a close call!
Contents
Why the Clans Gathered
For many years, the families of the Earls of Sutherland and Caithness had a long-standing feud. A feud is a serious, ongoing quarrel between two groups. This feud also involved Huistean Du Mackay, 13th of Strathnaver, the chief of Clan Mackay.
In 1595, a group called the Privy Council of Scotland tried to make peace. They made the Earl of Caithness promise to behave.
Hunting Dispute
In 1601, the Earl of Caithness tried to hunt on land that belonged to the Earl of Sutherland. Another story says he tried to hunt in the Reay Forest. This forest belonged to Huistean Du Mackay of Strathnaver.
The Earl of Sutherland, along with the Munros and MacLeods, came to help Huistean Du Mackay. Other accounts say the Mackays, Munros, and MacLeods came to help the Earl of Sutherland.
When the Earl of Caithness heard about the large army gathering against him, he quickly gathered his own supporters. These supporters were called vassals. He marched his army into Sutherland, reaching a place called Bengrime. The Earl of Sutherland's forces were camped only about three miles away.
The Standoff at Bengrime
The Earl of Caithness sent messengers to the Earl of Sutherland. He offered ideas for a peaceful solution. However, the Earl of Sutherland refused these offers. He told the Earl of Caithness to stay put until the next day. He promised a battle would happen then.
The Retreat
But the Caithness men did not wait. They fled during the night! The Earl of Sutherland's army then moved forward. The Mackays were on the right side of their army. The Munros and MacLeods were on the left. The Sutherlands were in the middle.
The first part of the Earl of Sutherland's army was led by Patrick Gordon and Donald Mackay. When they reached the Earl of Caithness’s camp, they found it empty. Their enemy had already run away.
What Happened Next
To celebrate their victory without fighting, the clans built a pile of stones. This pile was near the mountain Ben Griam. They named it Carn Teichidh, which means Cairn of Flight. A cairn is a mound of stones built as a memorial.
Some people said the Munros were disappointed. They had hoped for a real battle. The Earl of Caithness tried to challenge them again in 1607, but he was unsuccessful once more.
See also
