76 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



Baliol became the creature of England : nominally King 

 of Scotland, he was really the Viceroy of Edward III. 

 Anxious to buttress his throne by securing and cementing 

 by charters the friendship of the discontented elements 

 within his realm, he looked for. and found in the Hebrides, 

 an ally ready to his hand. John of the Isles inherited the 

 property, but not the loyalty to the Bruce's family, of 

 his father, Angus Og. A dispute with the Regent about 

 certain lands left him a ready listener to Baliol's repre- 

 sentations. He deserted the Nationalists and joined his 

 fortunes with those of Baliol and the pro-English party. 

 And he had his reward. By an indenture dated Perth, I2th 

 September, 133 5, which was subsequently confirmed by the 

 King of England, certain lands, including the Island of 

 Lewethy (Lewis) were granted by " Sir Edward King of 

 Scots " to John of the Isles " for his good service."* From 

 certain letters which passed relative to a safe conduct for 

 the Lord of the Isles to the English Court, it is evident 

 that the Hebridean chief was summoned to England to do 

 homage to his new master. 



Thus it happened that Lewis and Harris passed from the 

 O'Beolan Earls of Ross into the hands of the Lords of the 

 Isles.l Mr. Gregory states that the Siol Torquil held 

 Lewis as vassals of the House of Islay from the year 

 1344, when the grant of 1335 was confirmed by David II. J 

 A curious error has crept into Highland histories, which 

 affirm that David II. conferred upon Alexander, son of 

 Duncan MacNaughton, lands in Lewis, " being part of the 

 forfeited possessions of John of the Isles." The forfeited 

 lands in question were those of John, son of Duncan, son 

 of Alexander dc Insults, who had no possessions in Lewis. 

 Torquil Macleod (I.) of Lewis was succeeded by his son 

 Tormod, who may have been in possession of Lewis when 

 the cession to the Lord of the Isles took place. Nothing 



* Cal. of Doc., Vol. III., p. 213. 



t In 1367 the rents of "terre de Lewis" were in the hands of John of the 

 Isles, and were due to the Exchequer. (Acts of Parliament, Vol. I., pp. 528, 529.) 

 + Acts of Parliament, Supp. b. 6. 



