Lord of the Isles

Lord of the Isles, now a Scottish title of nobility, originally referred to 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 galleys. Although at times nominal vassals of the King of Norway and/or of the King of Scotland, the Lords of the Isles remained functionally independent for many centuries. Their territory included the Hebrides, (Skye and Ross from 1438), Knoydart, Ardnamurchan, the Kintyre peninsula, Arran and Antrim in Ireland (see map).

Lords of the Isles

Angus Og (Angus the Young), Angus Mor's (Angus the Great) younger son (or grandson), gave assistance to Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, and in reward kept control of the Isles and gained most of the land confiscated from the McDougalls for backing the defeated side. Angus Og's son Good John of Islay first formally assumed the title Lord of the Isles.

Related Topics:
Robert the Bruce - Battle of Bannockburn - 1314

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In their maritime domain the Lords of the Isles used galleys for both warfare and transport. These ships had developed from the Viking longships and knarrs, clinker-built with a square sail and rows of oars. From the 14th century they changed from using a steering oar to a stern rudder. These ships took part in sea battles and attacked castles or forts built close to the sea. The Lordship specified the feudal dues of its subjects in terms of numbers and sizes of the galleys each area had to provide in service to their Lord.

Related Topics:
Galley - Longship - Knarr - 14th century - Feudal

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Successive Lords of the Isles fiercely asserted their independence, culminating in 1462 with John Macdonald II of the Isles making a treaty with Edward IV of England to conquer Scotland with him and the Earl of Douglas. On the discovery of this treason in 1493 John Macdonald II forfeited his estates and titles to James IV of Scotland. Since then, the eldest male child of the reigning Scottish (and later, British) monarch has held the title of the "Lord of the Isles".

Related Topics:
1462 - Edward IV of England - 1493 - James IV of Scotland

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Currently (as of 2005) Charles, Prince of Wales bears the title of Lord of the Isles.

Related Topics:
As of 2005 - Charles, Prince of Wales

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