LOCHFERGUS. 189 



Gilbert the natives murdered all the Saxon and Xorman subjects 

 in Galloway they could lay hands on. Not only that, but they 

 became treacherous towards each other, and began to fight 

 amongst themselves for the spoils. On the 22nd September, 

 1174, while Uchtred was in his Castle of Fergus at Lochfergus, 

 Gilbert surprised him, and deprived him of his tongue, eyes, and 

 otherwise mutilated him in the most revolting manner, thereby 

 causing his death. 



Gilbert. 



Gilbert, realising the enormity of his crimes, tried in the 

 most cowardly manner to obtain the protection of the English 

 King, and thus secure himself against the vengeance of the 

 Scottish Government. On behalf of himself and Uchtred (who 

 was dead) he offered to do homage to Henry II., and pay a 

 yearly tribute of 2000 merks of silver, 500 cows, and 500 swine. 

 The English King accordingly sent Roger Hoveden and Robert 

 de Val to Galloway to accept the homage of the two brothers, 

 and to assure them of his protection. When they arrived, of 

 course, they found that Gilbert had not only murdered his 

 brother, but also had put a great number of Norman subjects to 

 death, therefore they refused to have any dealings with him. 

 William the Lion was ultimately restored to liberty as a vassal of 

 King Henry II. Accordingly he marched into Galloway to 

 punish Gilbert for his crimes. The warlike prowess of " The 

 Wild Scots of Galloway," however, was too much for him, and he 

 had to content himself with the proffered submission of Gilbert 

 and his rebellious subjects. Gilbert therefore did homage to the 

 English King, and paid him £1000 of an indemnity, for-bye 

 giving his son Duncan as a hostage to the English King. Gilbert, 

 however, was of too turbulent a disposition to remain long in 

 peace. In 1184 he once more rose in rebellion against the King, 

 but was arrested by Henry Kennedy, the forerunner of the noble 

 name in Ayrshire. Terms were again proposed, but Gilbert's 

 ambition was insatiable, and he refused them, so long as they did 

 not recognise the independence of Galloway. Death, however, 

 put an end to his guilty career in 1185. 



