28 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



the alarming nature of the plot which had been formed to 

 undermine his authority. Godred immediately set sail for 

 the Hebrides, determined to crush Somerled and nip the 

 conspiracy in the bud. Somerled, with a fleet of eighty 

 galleys, was ready for him. When the fleets met, a battle 

 was fought which was maintained with dogged deter- 

 mination by both sides. Godred, conscious that he was 

 fighting for his very life, refused to acknowledge defeat ; 

 Somerled, with the Hebrides at stake, offered an equally 

 stubborn resistance. Night fell on the exhausted com- 

 batants with victory still hanging in the balance. Morning 

 brought reflection and terms of peace. Sturdy fighters 

 both, Godred and Somerled had learned in that hard- 

 fought battle to respect one another ; and mutual respect 

 paved the way to mutual concessions. By a treaty which 

 constituted a landmark in the history of the Isles, the rival 

 leaders, who had many common characteristics, agreed to 

 divide the Hebrides, Somerled's share comprising the 

 islands south of Ardnamurchan, while Godred retained 

 those north of that point. This notable agreement was 

 made in 1156, from which date, the South Isles passed 

 permanently from the dominion of the Kings of Man.* 



* The Highland seanachies relate that Aula Ruadh (Olave the Red) 

 invaded the West Highlands, and was repulsed by the natives under their 

 leader, Somerled, who received the Western Isles as a reward for his great 

 services. The tales of the seanachies, however, cannot always be accepted 

 as history. Somerled met defeat and death at Renfrew in 1164. 



