Post by dreamwalker on May 31, 2005 22:23:05 GMT 10
Glen Coe - The Glen of Weeping
It remains a volatile subject in the Highlands of Scotland to this very day - more than 300 years after that bloody night.
1691
William of Orange was now King in Britain. The Dutchman had married into the Royal Stewart line and had come across the water to do battle with the supporters of the unpopular (and Catholic) James VII-II. The Protestant prince succeeded - with the help of his wife Mary Stewart, the very own daughter of James.
Feeling "magnanimous," the Dutch usurper had the London government declare a general "amnesty" for all those who had taken arms against him. If they swore an oath of allegiance, then all would be forgiven (though certainly not forgotten) - or so some would have you believe.
In fact, the government was quite fed up with the growing group of Jacobites, and intended to bring them all to heel. By whatever means available. In August of 1691 the proclamation was made public - with a deadline of the 1st January, 1692 for all ex-combatants and adherents to James, to sign. Most signed readily, believing this to be an easy way out of what might quickly become a dangerous dilemma. But in the Highlands of Scotland, where Stewart support ran strong in some quarters, a few wrestled with their conscience (while others did not). Some of the Highland chiefs were concerned about the impact that it might have, not only on their immediate situation - but how it would affect their true king in exile. Letters flew across the channel.
And there was always the hope, though quickly fading, of a French landing in Scotland to continue the struggle. For this they waited in vain.
James, now in France, sent messengers to those loyal Highlanders absolving them of their allegiance - knowing full well that to deny the chiefs the good conscience to sign freely without his support, could only mean that writs of Fire & Sword would be issued against them. Finally, many of the chiefs signed their oath to the new King - their submission, at least in words, complete. Some waited till very near the deadline - a last, though minor act of defiance and lack of respect for the new overlord.
The MacDonalds of Glencoe were a smaller offshoot clan (sept) of the once mighty MacDonalds, situated in the valley of Glencoe - a setting spectacular and haunting to this day. The clan was only about 150 strong. MacIan, their elderly chief (also known as MacDonald of Glencoe), left the decision to sign to the very last possible moment - 31st December, 1691.
When he finally received a letter from James, he rode to (newly built) Fort William to sign his oath of allegiance. But dark clouds were brewing. MacIan was told by Govenor Hill that the oath could only be given to the magistrate at Inverary - a distance of 74 miles. A considerable distance in the Highlands where there were almost no roads - just weathered drove trails. The journey took MacIan two days in the treacherous winter weather. A group of Grenadier's had apprehended MacIan, and kept him locked up for 24 hours - knowing full well he rode under orders of protection. But hardly caring.
When he arrived on the 2nd of January he discovered, much to his consternation, that the magistrate was not there. The chief waited. And waited. Finally the magistrate, Sir Colin Campbell, arrived back on January 6th. The man dithered, somewhat reluctant to take MacIan's pledge. Well aware that the chief had missed the deadline, he was most likely afraid that by taking his submission at this point in time, that it might somehow get himself into a difficult situation. The magistrate finally relented, accepted the sworn and written oath, but told MacIan that the Privy Council in Edinburgh would certainly know that he had signed 5 days late. They both hoped, and believed however that there would
It remains a volatile subject in the Highlands of Scotland to this very day - more than 300 years after that bloody night.
1691
William of Orange was now King in Britain. The Dutchman had married into the Royal Stewart line and had come across the water to do battle with the supporters of the unpopular (and Catholic) James VII-II. The Protestant prince succeeded - with the help of his wife Mary Stewart, the very own daughter of James.
Feeling "magnanimous," the Dutch usurper had the London government declare a general "amnesty" for all those who had taken arms against him. If they swore an oath of allegiance, then all would be forgiven (though certainly not forgotten) - or so some would have you believe.
In fact, the government was quite fed up with the growing group of Jacobites, and intended to bring them all to heel. By whatever means available. In August of 1691 the proclamation was made public - with a deadline of the 1st January, 1692 for all ex-combatants and adherents to James, to sign. Most signed readily, believing this to be an easy way out of what might quickly become a dangerous dilemma. But in the Highlands of Scotland, where Stewart support ran strong in some quarters, a few wrestled with their conscience (while others did not). Some of the Highland chiefs were concerned about the impact that it might have, not only on their immediate situation - but how it would affect their true king in exile. Letters flew across the channel.
And there was always the hope, though quickly fading, of a French landing in Scotland to continue the struggle. For this they waited in vain.
James, now in France, sent messengers to those loyal Highlanders absolving them of their allegiance - knowing full well that to deny the chiefs the good conscience to sign freely without his support, could only mean that writs of Fire & Sword would be issued against them. Finally, many of the chiefs signed their oath to the new King - their submission, at least in words, complete. Some waited till very near the deadline - a last, though minor act of defiance and lack of respect for the new overlord.
The MacDonalds of Glencoe were a smaller offshoot clan (sept) of the once mighty MacDonalds, situated in the valley of Glencoe - a setting spectacular and haunting to this day. The clan was only about 150 strong. MacIan, their elderly chief (also known as MacDonald of Glencoe), left the decision to sign to the very last possible moment - 31st December, 1691.
When he finally received a letter from James, he rode to (newly built) Fort William to sign his oath of allegiance. But dark clouds were brewing. MacIan was told by Govenor Hill that the oath could only be given to the magistrate at Inverary - a distance of 74 miles. A considerable distance in the Highlands where there were almost no roads - just weathered drove trails. The journey took MacIan two days in the treacherous winter weather. A group of Grenadier's had apprehended MacIan, and kept him locked up for 24 hours - knowing full well he rode under orders of protection. But hardly caring.
When he arrived on the 2nd of January he discovered, much to his consternation, that the magistrate was not there. The chief waited. And waited. Finally the magistrate, Sir Colin Campbell, arrived back on January 6th. The man dithered, somewhat reluctant to take MacIan's pledge. Well aware that the chief had missed the deadline, he was most likely afraid that by taking his submission at this point in time, that it might somehow get himself into a difficult situation. The magistrate finally relented, accepted the sworn and written oath, but told MacIan that the Privy Council in Edinburgh would certainly know that he had signed 5 days late. They both hoped, and believed however that there would
