Hugh Mackay
Encyclopedia
Hugh Mackay was a Scottish
general best known for his service in the Revolution of 1688
.
around 1640, the son of Hugh Mackay of Scourie
. He entered Douglas's (Dumbarton's) regiment of the English army (now the Royal Scots) in 1660 and accompanied it to France
when it was lent by Charles II
to Louis XIV
. Although Mackay succeeded, through the death of his two elder brothers, to his father's estates, he continued to serve abroad.
In 1669 he was in the Venetian
service at Crete
, and in 1672 he was back with his old regiment, Dumbartons, in the French army, taking part under Turenne
in the invasion of Holland
. In 1673 he married Clara de Bie of Bommel in Gelderland
. Through her influence he became, as historian Gilbert Burnet
wrote, "the most pious man that I ever knew in a military way." Convinced that he was fighting in an unjust cause, Mackay resigned his commission to take a captaincy in a Scottish regiment in the Dutch service.
He had risen to the rank of major-general in 1685, when the Scots brigade was called to England to assist in the suppression of the Monmouth rebellion
. Returning to Holland, Mackay was one of those officers who elected to stay with their men when James II
, having again demanded the services of the Scots brigade, and having been met with a refusal, was permitted to invite the officers individually into his service. As major-general commanding the brigade, and also as a privy councillor
of Scotland, Mackay was an important and influential person, and James chose to attribute the decision of most of the officers to Mackay's instigation.
, Prince of Orange, started on his expedition to England. Mackay's division led the invading corps. In January 1689 Mackay was appointed major-general commanding in chief in Scotland. In this capacity he was called upon to deal with the formidable insurrection headed by John, Viscount Dundee
. In the Battle of Killiecrankie
, Mackay was severely defeated, but the Jacobite victory was nullified by the death of Dundee. Thereafter, Mackay, displaying unexpected energy, subdued the Highlands in one summer. In 1690 he founded Fort William at Inverlochy.
In 1691 he distinguished himself in the brilliant victory at the Battle of Aughrim
, and in 1692, with the rank of lieutenant-general, he commanded the British division of the allied army in Flanders.
, Mackay's division bore the brunt of the day unsupported and the general himself was killed.
which soon came into general use, the idea of this being suggested to him by the failure of the plug bayonet to stop the rush of the Highlanders at the Battle of Killiecrankie
.
He may be know to some people nowadays from a mention in the song Braes o' Killiecrankie
: "O fie Macvkay what gart ye flie".
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
general best known for his service in the Revolution of 1688
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
.
Early military career
Mackay was born in SutherlandSutherland
Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
around 1640, the son of Hugh Mackay of Scourie
Scourie
Scourie , historically spelled "Scoury", is a village on the north west coast of Scotland, about halfway between Ullapool and Durness. It is in the traditional county of Sutherland, now part of the Highland council area, and the population of the village is just over two hundred. It is known as the...
. He entered Douglas's (Dumbarton's) regiment of the English army (now the Royal Scots) in 1660 and accompanied it to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
when it was lent by Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
to Louis XIV
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
. Although Mackay succeeded, through the death of his two elder brothers, to his father's estates, he continued to serve abroad.
In 1669 he was in the Venetian
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
service at Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
, and in 1672 he was back with his old regiment, Dumbartons, in the French army, taking part under Turenne
Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne
Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne,often called simply Turenne was the most illustrious member of the La Tour d'Auvergne family. He achieved military fame and became a Marshal of France...
in the invasion of Holland
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
. In 1673 he married Clara de Bie of Bommel in Gelderland
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
. Through her influence he became, as historian Gilbert Burnet
Gilbert Burnet
Gilbert Burnet was a Scottish theologian and historian, and Bishop of Salisbury. He was fluent in Dutch, French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Burnet was respected as a cleric, a preacher, and an academic, as well as a writer and historian...
wrote, "the most pious man that I ever knew in a military way." Convinced that he was fighting in an unjust cause, Mackay resigned his commission to take a captaincy in a Scottish regiment in the Dutch service.
He had risen to the rank of major-general in 1685, when the Scots brigade was called to England to assist in the suppression of the Monmouth rebellion
Monmouth Rebellion
The Monmouth Rebellion,The Revolt of the West or The West Country rebellion of 1685, was an attempt to overthrow James II, who had become King of England, King of Scots and King of Ireland at the death of his elder brother Charles II on 6 February 1685. James II was a Roman Catholic, and some...
. Returning to Holland, Mackay was one of those officers who elected to stay with their men when James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
, having again demanded the services of the Scots brigade, and having been met with a refusal, was permitted to invite the officers individually into his service. As major-general commanding the brigade, and also as a privy councillor
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
of Scotland, Mackay was an important and influential person, and James chose to attribute the decision of most of the officers to Mackay's instigation.
Revolution of 1688
Soon after this event, WilliamWilliam III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
, Prince of Orange, started on his expedition to England. Mackay's division led the invading corps. In January 1689 Mackay was appointed major-general commanding in chief in Scotland. In this capacity he was called upon to deal with the formidable insurrection headed by John, Viscount Dundee
John Graham, 1st Viscount of Dundee
John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee , known as the 7th Laird of Claverhouse until raised to the viscounty in 1688, was a Scottish soldier and nobleman, a Tory and an Episcopalian...
. In the Battle of Killiecrankie
Battle of Killiecrankie
-References:*Reid, Stuart, The Battle of Kiellliecrankkie -External links:* *...
, Mackay was severely defeated, but the Jacobite victory was nullified by the death of Dundee. Thereafter, Mackay, displaying unexpected energy, subdued the Highlands in one summer. In 1690 he founded Fort William at Inverlochy.
In 1691 he distinguished himself in the brilliant victory at the Battle of Aughrim
Battle of Aughrim
The Battle of Aughrim was the decisive battle of the Williamite War in Ireland. It was fought between the Jacobites and the forces of William III on 12 July 1691 , near the village of Aughrim in County Galway....
, and in 1692, with the rank of lieutenant-general, he commanded the British division of the allied army in Flanders.
Death
At the Battle of SteinkeerkeBattle of Steenkerque
The Battle of Steenkerque was fought on August 3, 1692, as a part of the Nine Years' War. It resulted in the victory of the French under Marshal François-Henri de Montmorency, duc de Luxembourg against a joint English-Scottish-Dutch-German army under Prince William of Orange...
, Mackay's division bore the brunt of the day unsupported and the general himself was killed.
Descendants
Mackay and his wife had three children together:- Hugh Mackay (1681–1708), married Anna Louise de Lannoy
- Margaret Mackay (1683–1748), married George Mackay, 3rd Lord Reay
- Maria Mackay (1686-1723?), married Matthias Lambertus Singendonck
Cultural significance
Mackay was the inventor of the socket bayonetBayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
which soon came into general use, the idea of this being suggested to him by the failure of the plug bayonet to stop the rush of the Highlanders at the Battle of Killiecrankie
Battle of Killiecrankie
-References:*Reid, Stuart, The Battle of Kiellliecrankkie -External links:* *...
.
He may be know to some people nowadays from a mention in the song Braes o' Killiecrankie
Braes o' Killiecrankie
Braes o' Killiecrankie is the name of four distinct folk songs, all originally from Scotland.The version that begins with the line "Whare hae ye been sae braw, lad?" is the one discussed here. The versions that begin with the line "Clavers and his highland men" are either the Scots version or the...
: "O fie Macvkay what gart ye flie".