Skye, Island of (Scotland) -- Description and travel
"Also the main fleet, off Largs, suffered greatly by the same
tempest. It began in the night between Sunday (Sept. 30) and Monday
(Oct. 1,) accompanied by violent showers. A large transport vessel
drifted down on the bow of the royal ship, swept off the gallion, and
got foul of the cable; it was at last cast loose and drifted toward
the island; but on the royal ship it had been necessary to remove the
usual awnings and covers, and in the morning (Oct. 1) when the flood
commenced, the wind likewise turned, and the vessel, along with
another vessel of transport and a ship of war, was driven on the main
beach, where it stuck fast, the royal ship drifting down while with
five anchors, and only stopped when the eighth had been let go. The
king had found it safest to land in a boat on the Cumrey, with the
clergy, who celebrated mass, the greater part believing that the
tempest had been raised by witchcraft. Soon the other ships began to
drift; several had to cut away the masts; five drifted towards the
shore, and three went aground. The men on board these ships were now
dangerously situated, because the Scotch, who from their elevated
position could see very well what passed in the fleet, sent down
detachments against them, while the storm prevented their comrades in
the fleet from coming to their aid. They manned, however, the large
vessel which had first drifted on shore, and defended themselves as
well as they could against the superior force of the enemy, who began
shooting at them. Happily the storm abated a little, and the king
was not only able to return on board his ships, but even sent them
some aid in boats; the Scotch were put to flight, and the Norwegians
were able to pass the night on shore. Yet, in the dark, some Scots
found their way to the vessel and took what they could. In the
morning (Tuesday, Oct. 2,) the king himself, with some barons and
some troops, went to shore in boats to secure the valuable cargo of
the transport, or what was left of it, in which they succeeded. Now,
however, the main army of the Scots was seen approaching, and the
king, who at first meant to remain on shore and head his troops
himself, was prevailed upon by his men, who feared lest he should
expose himself too much, to return on board his ship. The number of
the Norwegians left on shore did not exceed 1000 men, 240 of whom,
commanded by the Baron Agmund Krokidans, occupied a hillock, the rest
were stationed on the beach. The Scotch, it is related in the Saga,
had about 600 horsemen in armour, several of whom had Spanish steeds,
all covered with mail; they had a great deal of infantry, well armed,
especially with bows and Lochaber axes. The Norwegians believed that
King Alexander himself was in the army: perhaps this is true. We
learn, however, from Fordun that the real commander was Alexander of
Dundonald, the Stewart of Scotland. The Scotch first attacked the
knoll with the 240 men, who retired slowly, always facing the enemy
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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