History Of The Mackenzies [5]
of Lochalsh, the Mathesons maintain that the first Mackenzie, or Mac Choinnich--the actual progenitor of the clan--was a son of their chief, Coinneach Gruamach, and that the Mackenzies are thus only a sept, or minor branch of the Mathesons. It must in fairness be admitted that the latter contention is quite as near the truth as the Fitzgerald theory and it must have already occurred to the reader, how, if the Fitzgerald origin of the Mackenzies had been true, has it come about that the original patronymic of Fitzgerald has given way to that of Mackenzie? It is not pretended that it was ever heard of after Colin himself. This difficulty occurred even to the Earl of Cromartie, and this is how he attempts to dispose of it. Cailean, he says, had a son by the daughter of Kenneth Mac Mhathoin, or Matheson, whom he named Coinneach, or Kenneth, after his father-in-law Kenneth Matheson; Cailean himself was killed in Glaic Chailein by Mac Mhathoin, who envied him, and was sore displeased at Colin's succession to Matheson's ancient heritage; Colin was succeeded by his son Kenneth, and all his descendants were by the Highlanders called "Mac Choinnich," or Kenneth's son, taking the patronymic from Mac Mhathoin rather than from Cailean, whom they esteemed a stranger. Of the two theories the Matheson one is by far the more probable; but they are both without any real foundation. The Fitzgerald theory has, however, until recently, been accepted by all the leading Mackenzie families and by the clan generally. It has been adopted in all the Peerages and Baronetages, and by almost every writer on the history and genealogy of the Cabar feidh race. The main if not the only authority of any consequence in favour of this Irish origin is the charter alleged to have been granted by Alexander III. to Colin in 1266, of which the reputed original runs as follows:--
`Alexander, Dei Gracia, Rex Scottorum omnibus probis hominibus tocius terre sue clericis it laicis, salutem sciant presentes et futuri me pro fiddi seruicio michi navato per Colinum Hybernum tam in bello quam in pace ideo dedisse, et hac Presenti carta mea concessisse dicto Colino, et ejus successoribus to/as terras de Kintail Tenendas de nabis et successoribus nostris in liberam baronium cum g ua rdia Reddendo servicium fo rinsecum et fidelitatem Testibus Andrea episcopo, Moraviensi. Wa ltero Stewart. Hen rico de Balioth Camerario. Ama/do de Campania. Thoma Hostiario, vice-comite de Innerness. Apud Kincardine, IX die Jan.. Anno Regni Domini, Regis XVI."
This is a literal translation of the document.--"Alexander, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to all honest men of his whole dominions, cleric and laic, greeting: Be it known to the present and future that I, for the faithful service rendered to me by Colin of Ireland, in war as well as peace, therefore I have given, and by this my present charter I concede to the said Colin and his successors, the lands of Kintail to be held of us in free barony with ward to render foreign service and fidelity. Witnesses (as above.) At Kincardine, 9th day of January, in the year of the reign of the Lord the King. the 16th."
The Kincardine at which this charter is alleged to have been signed is supposed to be the place of that name situated on the River Dee; for about this time an incident is reported to have occurred in the Forest of Mar in connection with which it is traditionally stated that the Mackenzies adopted the stag's head as their coat armour. The legend is as follows:
Alexander was on a hunting expedition in the forest, near Kincardine, when an infuriated stag, closely pursued by the hounds, made straight in the direction of the King, and Cailean Fitzgerald, who accompanied the Royal party, gallantly interposed his own person between the exasperated animal and his Majesty, and shot it with an arrow in the forehead. The King in acknowledgment of the Royal gratitude at once issued a diploma in favour of Colin granting him armorial bearings which were to be, a stags head puissant, bleeding
`Alexander, Dei Gracia, Rex Scottorum omnibus probis hominibus tocius terre sue clericis it laicis, salutem sciant presentes et futuri me pro fiddi seruicio michi navato per Colinum Hybernum tam in bello quam in pace ideo dedisse, et hac Presenti carta mea concessisse dicto Colino, et ejus successoribus to/as terras de Kintail Tenendas de nabis et successoribus nostris in liberam baronium cum g ua rdia Reddendo servicium fo rinsecum et fidelitatem Testibus Andrea episcopo, Moraviensi. Wa ltero Stewart. Hen rico de Balioth Camerario. Ama/do de Campania. Thoma Hostiario, vice-comite de Innerness. Apud Kincardine, IX die Jan.. Anno Regni Domini, Regis XVI."
This is a literal translation of the document.--"Alexander, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to all honest men of his whole dominions, cleric and laic, greeting: Be it known to the present and future that I, for the faithful service rendered to me by Colin of Ireland, in war as well as peace, therefore I have given, and by this my present charter I concede to the said Colin and his successors, the lands of Kintail to be held of us in free barony with ward to render foreign service and fidelity. Witnesses (as above.) At Kincardine, 9th day of January, in the year of the reign of the Lord the King. the 16th."
The Kincardine at which this charter is alleged to have been signed is supposed to be the place of that name situated on the River Dee; for about this time an incident is reported to have occurred in the Forest of Mar in connection with which it is traditionally stated that the Mackenzies adopted the stag's head as their coat armour. The legend is as follows:
Alexander was on a hunting expedition in the forest, near Kincardine, when an infuriated stag, closely pursued by the hounds, made straight in the direction of the King, and Cailean Fitzgerald, who accompanied the Royal party, gallantly interposed his own person between the exasperated animal and his Majesty, and shot it with an arrow in the forehead. The King in acknowledgment of the Royal gratitude at once issued a diploma in favour of Colin granting him armorial bearings which were to be, a stags head puissant, bleeding