Kenneth Mackenzie, 10th of Kintail
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Mackenzie traditionally reckoned 10th of Kintail
and nicknamed Coinneach na Cuirc (or “Kenneth of the Whittle”), was a Highland
chief, head of the Clan Mackenzie
, who flourished in the turbulent Scottish politics of the mid-16th century.
(d.1561) and Elizabeth, the daughter of John Grant of Grant
. The Mackenzies were a clan from Ross-shire
that had risen to prominence in the 15th century during the disintegration of the Lordship of the Isles
. In 1539 he was tenant of Little Skattil and Bawblair and, by a charter dated 24 April 1543, his father resigned to him and his wife part of the lordship of Kintail and the lands of Mekill Braan.
, who held a commission as Lieutenant of the North from the Queen Regent, Mary of Guise
, to raise his vassals and lead an expedition against Donald Glas Macdonald of Moidart
. Kenneth declined, with the result that the Earl of Huntly ordered his entire army of 3,000 to proceed against both men. Huntly was however unsuccessful and was eventually obliged to retire from the West without achieving any significant victory. Some years later, Kenneth again embarrassed Huntly at a skirmish known as “the affair of Dingwall
Bridge”.
in 1562 and helped her to obtain possession of Inverness Castle
, from which she had been excluded by Alexander Gordon, the governor. Thereafter, he appears to have retired from public life.
An Act of the Privy Council
of 21 May 1562 records that Kenneth delivered up to the Queen Mary Macleod
, the heiress of Harris and Dunvegan
, who had somehow found herself in his custody. The Act held him harmless against any proceedings by James Macdonald of Dunnyveg and the Glens
, the legal guardian of Mary Macleod, who had previously demanded her return.
of Gairloch
), who had died in mysterious circumstances in Eilean Donan Castle. It was said that John Glassich had intended to renew his father’s claim to ancestral Mackenzie homelands in Kintail
.
Kenneth married in 1538 Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of John, Earl of Atholl
, by Mary Campbell, daughter of the Earl of Argyll
. His own children also made very advantageous marriages:
Kintail
Kintail is an area of mountains in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It consists of the mountains to the north of Glen Shiel and the A87 road between the heads of Loch Duich and Loch Cluanie; its boundaries, other than Glen Shiel, are generally taken to be the valleys of Strath Croe and Gleann...
and nicknamed Coinneach na Cuirc (or “Kenneth of the Whittle”), was a Highland
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
chief, head of the Clan Mackenzie
Clan MacKenzie
Clan Mackenzie is a Highland Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire.-Origins:The Mackenzies, a powerful clan of Celtic stock, were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestry. Descendants of the long defunct royal Cenél Loairn of Dál Riata, they...
, who flourished in the turbulent Scottish politics of the mid-16th century.
Origins
Kenneth was the only son of John Mackenzie, 9th of KintailJohn Mackenzie, 9th of Kintail
John Mackenzie , or "John of Killin", traditionally reckoned 9th of Kintail, was a Highland chief, being head of the Clan Mackenzie.-Origins and education:...
(d.1561) and Elizabeth, the daughter of John Grant of Grant
Clan Grant
-Origins:The Grants are one of the clans of Siol Alpin, and descend from the 9th century Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots; and also of Norse origin, from settlers who are the descents of Haakon inn Riki Sigurdarsson , Jarl of Hladr, Protector of Norway ,-Origins:The Grants are one of the clans of...
. The Mackenzies were a clan from Ross-shire
Ross-shire
Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross...
that had risen to prominence in the 15th century during the disintegration of the Lordship of the Isles
Lord of the Isles
The designation Lord of the Isles is today a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It emerged from a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of...
. In 1539 he was tenant of Little Skattil and Bawblair and, by a charter dated 24 April 1543, his father resigned to him and his wife part of the lordship of Kintail and the lands of Mekill Braan.
Disputes with the Earl of Huntly
In 1544, Kenneth was commanded by the Earl of HuntlyGeorge Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly was a Scottish nobleman.-Biography:He was the son of John Gordon, Lord Gordon, and Margaret Stewart, daughter of James IV. George Gordon inherited his earldom and estates in 1524 at age 10...
, who held a commission as Lieutenant of the North from the Queen Regent, Mary of Guise
Mary of Guise
Mary of Guise was a queen consort of Scotland as the second spouse of King James V. She was the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, and served as regent of Scotland in her daughter's name from 1554 to 1560...
, to raise his vassals and lead an expedition against Donald Glas Macdonald of Moidart
Moidart
Moidart is a district in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland.Moidart lies to the west of Fort William and is very remote. Loch Shiel cuts off the south-east boundary of the district. Moidart includes the townships of Dorlin, Mingarry, Kinlochmoidart and Glenuig. At Dorlin is located the ancient fortress...
. Kenneth declined, with the result that the Earl of Huntly ordered his entire army of 3,000 to proceed against both men. Huntly was however unsuccessful and was eventually obliged to retire from the West without achieving any significant victory. Some years later, Kenneth again embarrassed Huntly at a skirmish known as “the affair of Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
Bridge”.
A follower of Queen Mary
Having succeeded his father in 1561, Kenneth was one of the Highland Chiefs who met Mary, Queen of Scots, at InvernessInverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
in 1562 and helped her to obtain possession of Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. The red sand stone structure evident today was built in 1836 by architect William Burn. It is built on the site of an 11th century defensive structure. Today, it houses Inverness Sheriff Court. There has been a...
, from which she had been excluded by Alexander Gordon, the governor. Thereafter, he appears to have retired from public life.
An Act of the Privy Council
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 21 May 1562 records that Kenneth delivered up to the Queen Mary Macleod
Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the Isle of Skye. There are two main branches of the clan: the Macleods of Harris and Dunvegan, whose chief is Macleod of Macleod, are known in Gaelic as Sìol Tormoid ; the Macleods of Lewis, whose chief is Macleod of The Lewes, are known in...
, the heiress of Harris and Dunvegan
Dunvegan
Dunvegan is a town on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is famous for Dunvegan Castle, seat of the chief of Clan MacLeod...
, who had somehow found herself in his custody. The Act held him harmless against any proceedings by James Macdonald of Dunnyveg and the Glens
Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg
Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, also known as Clan Donald South, Clan Iain Vor, Clan MacDonald of Islay and Kintyre, MacDonalds of the Glens and sometimes referred to as MacDonnells, is a Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald...
, the legal guardian of Mary Macleod, who had previously demanded her return.
Family
With his father, Kenneth received a remission in 1551 for the imprisonment of his cousin John Glassich Mackenzie (the son and heir of Hector Roy MackenzieHector Roy Mackenzie
Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch was a prominent member of the Mackenzie clan, who acquired vast estates in and around Gairloch as a result of his services to the Scottish crown and challenged his nephew for the chiefship of the clan.-Origins:...
of Gairloch
Gairloch
Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch on the northwest coast of Scotland. A popular tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch has a golf course, a small museum, several hotels, a community centre, a leisure centre with sports facilities, a local...
), who had died in mysterious circumstances in Eilean Donan Castle. It was said that John Glassich had intended to renew his father’s claim to ancestral Mackenzie homelands in Kintail
Kintail
Kintail is an area of mountains in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It consists of the mountains to the north of Glen Shiel and the A87 road between the heads of Loch Duich and Loch Cluanie; its boundaries, other than Glen Shiel, are generally taken to be the valleys of Strath Croe and Gleann...
.
Kenneth married in 1538 Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of John, Earl of Atholl
Duke of Atholl
Duke of Atholl, alternatively Duke of Athole, named after Atholl in Scotland, is a title in the Peerage of Scotland held by the head of Clan Murray...
, by Mary Campbell, daughter of the Earl of Argyll
Duke of Argyll
Duke of Argyll is a title, created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1701 and in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1892. The Earls, Marquesses, and Dukes of Argyll were for several centuries among the most powerful, if not the most powerful, noble family in Scotland...
. His own children also made very advantageous marriages:
- Colin Cam Mackenzie, who succeeded him, married Barbara Grant, daughter of John Grant of Grant.
- Roderick Mackenze of RedcastleRedcastleRedcastle , historically known as Edirdovar and Ederdour, is a mediaeval castle in Killearnan on the Black Isle, northern Scotland. It is so named from the colour of the stone of which it is built...
married Florence, daughter of Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of FoulisRobert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of FoulisRobert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis and 18th chief of the Clan Munro was a 16th century Scottish chief. He was known as Robert Mor on account of his large stature. He was the eldest son of Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis... - Janet married, first, Aeneas Macdonald of Glengarry and, secondly, Alexander Chisholm of ChisholmClan ChisholmClan Chisholm is a Scottish clan. The clan had its origin outside Scotland. The first Chisholm to appear in the records of Scotland was Alexander de Chesholme, who witnessed a charter in 1248/49.-Origins of the Clan:...
. - Catherine married Alexander Ross of BalnagownClan RossClan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan. The original chiefs of the clan were the original Earls of Ross.-Origins:Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan first named as such by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1160...
and died on 12 April 1592. - Agnes married (contract 11 May 1567) Lachlan Mor Mackintosh of MackintoshClan MacKintoshClan Mackintosh is a Scottish clan from Inverness with strong Jacobite ties. The Mackintoshes were also chiefs of the Chattan Confederation.-Origins:...
. - Margaret married (contract 24 November 1556) Walter Innes, son and heir of John Innes of Inverbreckie, and died in June 1570.
- Elizabeth married Walter Urquhart of Cromarty.
- Marjory married (contract 30 May 1574) Robert Munro, son and heir of Robert Munro of Foulis.