i 4 2 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



gives an undoubted opening to the cynic, and especially to 

 those historians who delight in finding weak joints in the 

 Celtic armour. The two commissioners, Rory Mac Alastair, 

 " Bishop Elect of the Isles " (brother of John Moidartach 

 and Dean of Morvern), and Patrick Maclean, brother of 

 Duart, were empowered to enter into a treaty with the 

 Earl of Lennox for the forthcoming campaign. We find 

 from the English records that on the arrival of the com- 

 missioners, they conferred on matters of common interest 

 with the King and Lennox, to the latter of whom they had 

 brought letters from " sundry gentlemen of the Isles." 

 All was now in readiness for striking a blow against 

 Scotland. On 4th September, 1545, letters were addressed 

 by the English Privy Council to Ireland " signifying the 

 compact made with the Lord of the Isles of Scotland for 

 annoyance of the Scots, and for the preparation of 2,000 

 Irisk kerne to go with Lord Ormond under the Earl of 

 Lennox, lieutenant for the enterprise. To Chester letters 

 were written for preparation of ships for the 2,000 men, 

 and likewise a letter to one Mr. Bulkeley for the prepara- 

 tion of ' oone sumpter's shippe ' lying at Beaumaris to serve 

 at the coming of Lennox at Chester." And on I3th 

 September, there is a " warrant for payments to the Earl 

 of Lennox, the Bishop Elect of the Isles (' in rewarde ') to 

 the Lord Maclane's brother, and to Patrick Colquhoun " (a 

 confidential vassal of Lennox).* If Donald Dubh sinned 

 as a mercenary, he sinned in good company. 



The correspondence with England coming to light, the 

 Regent and his Council took action. On I7th August, 

 1545) Macleod of Lewis and Macleod of Harris with forty 

 others had a remission from that date to ist November, 

 that they might go to the Regent and Lords of Council on 

 their affairs. On 9th September, summonses of treason 

 were issued against the Macleods and their fellow-con- 



* On I4th July, 1546, an order was sent to the Justice of Ireland "for 

 delivery to such person as should be sent by the Earl of Lennox (of) the bodies 

 of Patrick Maclean, the Bishop Elect of the Isles, and such his servants as 

 were left in custody in Ireland." (Acts of the Privy Council of England^ 

 p. 483-) 



