72 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



to pacify the inhabitants. The fleet of the Cinque Torts 

 sailed for the Isles charged with this mission. The admiral 

 was empowered to receive into his favour, Alexander Mac- 

 dougall and his sons, John and Duncan, his son-in-law 

 Lauchlan MacAllan, and all their servants ; also all the 

 peasantry and middle class inhabitants of the Isles, 

 " barons, banerets, and other rich and great lords " being 

 however excluded.* 



It is impossible to refuse to recognise the shrewdness of 

 the perception which instigated this order. The English 

 King clearly realised a fact that became increasingly 

 apparent in the later history of the Hebrides, viz., that the 

 wars, rebellions, and feuds of the Isles were fomented in 

 no wise by the common people, but by the " rich and great 

 lords" to serve their own ends. The lords who on this 

 occasion resisted the domination of England may have 

 been actuated by patriotic motives ; but even the best of 

 the patriots always excepting such disinterested stalwarts 

 as the noble Wallace were found on the side of the 

 oppressors of their country before they saw fit to embrace 

 the national cause. 



The Earl of Ross was a notable example of these turn- 

 coats. His new-born zeal as England's warden outran his 

 sense of decency. Thus, in 1305-6, he violated the sanc- 

 tuary of St. Duthac at Tain, by seizing and delivering to 

 the English, the wife of Robert Bruce and Marjory, his 

 daughter by a former marriage. This outrage was avenged 

 a year later by the Bruce himself, who invaded and 

 ravaged Ross-shire, compelled the Earl of Ross to make 

 his submission, and with characteristic magnanimity, 

 forgave the man who had injured him so deeply. The 

 latter, however, continued to be a vassal of England, for 

 we find him writing a piteous letter to his master, enumerat- 

 ing his losses at the hands of Bruce, excusing himself for 

 having arranged a truce with the victor, and whining for 

 further favours at English hands. 



* Cal. of Doc., Vol. II., p. 307. 



