Domestic Annals of Scotland from the Reformation to the Revolution, Volume 1 (of 2)Chambers, Robert
History
Domestic Annals of Scotland from the Reformation to the Revolution, Volume 1 (of 2)
Chambers, Robert
Scotland -- History -- 16th century; Scotland -- History -- 17th century
‘To conclude, to Kintyre he came, accompanied with forty-five men of
his kinsfolk and stout servants, in the month of July 1586; where,
at the first arrival, they were made welcome with all humanity, and
were sumptuously banqueted all that day. But Angus in that meantime
had premonished all his friends and weel-willers within his isle of
Kintyre to be at his house that same night at nine of the clock, and
neither to come sooner nor later; for he had concluded with himself
to kill them all the very first night of their arrival, fearing that
gif he should delay any langer time, it might be that either he sould
alter his malicious intention, or else that Maclean wald send for
some greater forces of men for his awn defence. Thus he concealed his
intent still, till baith he fand the time commodious and the very place
proper; and Maclean being lodged with all his men within a lang house,
that was something distant frae other housing, took to bed with him
that night his nevoy, the pledge afore-spoken. But within ane hour
thereafter, when Angus had assembled his men to the number of twa
hundred, he placed them all in order about the house where Maclean then
lay. Thereafter he came himself and called at the door upon Maclean,
offering to him his reposing drink, whilk was forgotten to be given
to him before he went to bed. Maclean answered, that he desired nae
drink for that time. “Although so be,” said the other, “it is my will
that thou arise and come forth to receive it.” Then began Maclean to
suspect the falset, and so arase with his nevoy betwixt his shoulders,
thinking that gif present killing was intended against him, he should
save himself sae lang as he could by the boy; and the boy, perceiving
his father with a naked sword, and a number of his men in like manner
about, cried with a loud voice, mercy to his uncle for God’s sake;
whilk was granted, and immediately Maclean was removed to a secret
chalmer till the morrow. Then cried Angus to the remanent that were
within; sae mony as wald have their lives to be safe, they should come
forth, twa only excepted, whilk he nominate; sae that obedience was
made by all the rest, and these twa only, fearing the danger, refused
to come forth. Angus, seeing that, commanded incontinent to put fire to
the house, whilk was immediately performed; and thus were the twa men
cruelly and unmercifully burnt to the death. These twa were very near
kinsmen to Maclean, and of the eldest of his clan, renowned baith for
counsel and manheid. The rest that were prisoners of the haill number
afore-tauld, were ilk ane beheaded the days following, ane for ilk
day, till the haill number was ended; yea, and that in Maclean’s awn
sight, being constrained thereunto, with a dolorous advertisement to
prepare himself for the like tragical end howsoon they should all be
killed. And when the day came that Maclean should have been brought
forth, miserably to have made his tragical end, like unto the rest, it
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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