THE CAMPBELLS.
THIS mighty family, which, under its two heads, Dukes of .1 Argyll and Earls of Breadalbane, now reigns from the foot of Loch Tay to the Western Isles, though repeatedly crossed with Royal blood, derives its lineage from Gillespick or Archibald Cambel, of Lochow, or Loch Awe, in Argyllshire, who is mentioned in the statutes of King Alexander I. The name, says Chalmers, is but another form of the English Kemble, the derivation from" campo belle" being either a joke or an absurdity. That name, supposing it ever to have been borne, would, as Mr. Robertson observes in his "Scotland under her Early Kings," have been Normanizecl into Beauchamp. Gillespick was, according to the genealogists, great grandson of Gillespick Cambel, a gentleman of Anglo-Norman lineage, who married Eva, heiress of Paul O'Dwin, Lord of Lochow, whom, again, the bards derive from Diarmid, whose family were Lords of Lochow as early as 401, a respectable pedigree of 1460 years. It may be quite true all that, but the authority for it all is of the feeblest kind, the single proof of any weight being that the clan when excited by family pride or whisky call themselves children of Diarmid ; but the earliest figure who emerges out of the Highland mist is this Gillespick, whose grandson, Sir Gillespick, witnessed the charter granted by Alexander HI. to Newburgh, March 4, 1266, six hundred years ago. He was a man of some standing and influence, for his son, Sir Colin Campbell, was one of the nominees selected by Robert the Bruce in 1291, when his title to the Crown was to be investigated, and he at last intermarried into that great house.
Having acquired from Sir William Lindsay the lands of Symon- toun in Ayrshire, he made over the suzerainty thereof to the monks of Newbottle in a charletary of the year 1293. The story is that this Sir Colin received the appellation of "More," or "Great," and that hence the chiefs of the family derive their title of Mac- Calan-More, or Mac-Callutn-More, "son of Colin the Great." He is said to have fallen about the year 1293 in a conflict with his powerful neighbour the Lord of Lorn, at a place called "the String of Cowal." From this time at least there was a constant struggle between the Lords of Lochow and Lorn, the latter of whom held the chieftainship of Argyllshire, until a marriage amalgamated the two families. The Cambels, or Campbells, make no figure in the annals of Scotland till the reign of the Euglish Edward I., when they were seated in the shires of Argyll, Ayr, Perth, and Dumbarton, the principal stem being in the first- named county, and their head being Sir Nigel, or Niel Cambel, or Campbell, of Lochow, son of Sir Colin. Dovenal (Donald) Cam- bel, of Dumbartonshire (probably a brother of Sir Niel), is the re- puted ancestor of the EARLS OF LOUDOUN. There are also three other Cambels who swore allegiance along with the above to Edward I. in 1296, and afterwards joined Bruce—probably also sons of Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow. Sir Niel Campbell in his father's lifetime made a donation to the monastery of Cambuskenneth of part of the lands of Menstrie. He became the devoted adherent of Bruce—was with him at the disastrous battle of Methven- through his influence in Kentire secured a retreat for the hunted King with the chief of that isolated spot, and shared all Bruce's adverse and prosperous fortunes down to the decisive battle of Bannockburn. In acknowledgment of this fidelity Bruce gave him his own sister Mary in marriage, and granted them and their son John all the lands which belonged to David De Strabogie, Earl of Atholl. After Bannockburn Sir Niel was one of the Commissioners sent to York to negotiate a peace with England in September, 1314—was one of the great barons in the Parliament of Ayr, April, 1315, when the succession to the Crown of Scot. land was settled, and had a charter under the Great Seal of several lands granted to him by Robert Bruce in the same year, dying in the following year, 1316. By his Royal bride (who re-married Sir Alexander Frazer, Great Chamberlain of Scotland) he had three sous, the second of whom, John, succeeding in accordance with the grant we have mentioned to the lands of Atholl, was created arl of Athol!, but being killed at' the battle of Halidon Hill, JUIy 19, 1333, and leaving no issue, the title reverted to the Crown. Sir Niel's eldest son, Sir Colin, obtained a charter from his mode King Robert Bruce of the lands of Lochow and Ards- codniche, and accompanied that King to Ireland in 1316. Passing with the army through a wood in that country in February, 1317, Bruce issued positive orders that they should keep in battle array, and that no one should quit the ranks. But two English yeomen discharging their arrows at Sir Colin, he could not resist riding after them to revenge the insult. His Royal uncle followed, and overtaking him nearly struck him from his horse with his truncheon, exclaiming, "Return! your disobedience might hare brought us all into jeopardy ! " He died about the year 1310. He left three sons, the second of whom, John, may possibly be the John Campbell, hus- band of Margaret Glenurchy, to whom King David granted the lands of Glenurchy. At any rate the latter were at a subsequent period, as we shall see, in the main stem of the Campbells.
Sir Gillespick, or Archibald "Cambel;" of Lochow, the eldest son of Sir Colin, had a grant from Mary, Countess of Menteith, conferred by a charter of David II., of the lands of Kilmun, and on the 21st May, 1343, the same King bestowed on him the lordship and barony of Melfort, and he had also several grants of lands forfeited by members of his family—among others of his brother Dougal's estates in Cowal (forfeited for assisting Edward Baliol). He had . also a grant in 1352 of many lands from John Menteith Lord of Knapdale and Arran. King Robert II. appointed him a commis- sioner of several of the Royal domains. It shows how lawless was the state of things in 'Scotland at this period, that in a Parliament held at Scone in the summer of the year 1368, John of the Iales, Gillespie Campbell, and John of Lorn, were commanded to present themselves before the King, and to give security for their future pacific conduct, so that they and their vassals should no longer alarm and plunder the land, but with their equals and neighbours submit to the labours and the burdens imposed upon them by the laws. John of Lorn and Gillespie Campbell submitted, and again made their appearance among the higher nobility, but John of the Isles haughtily defied the Royal authority, and refused to submit to a share in the public burdens. Sir Gillespie married first into the Menteith family, and afterwards :a daughter of Sir John Lamont, and left a son, Sir Colin, who had a grant from Robert II., June 20, 1404, of several lands in Cowal which belonged to John Stewart of Auchingown, the King's natural son, and also a charter on the 5th of May in the same year from Robert, Duke of Albany, of the lands of Strachachy within the barony of Cowed Stewart, and all the other lands which he held of the Earl of Menteith, to him and the heirs male of his body lawfully pro. created, who failing, to his heirs male whatever of the surname of Campbell carrying the arms of the same. He married Margaret Drummond, sister of Annabelle, Queen of Robert III., and was succeeded at Lochow by his eldest son by her, Sir Duncan, who is the first of the family who assumed the title of Argyll, being designated "Duncan, Lord of Argyll," in the list of hostages for the redemption of King James I. in 1424, his annual revenue being specified at 1,500 marks, a larger income than that of any of the other hostages, with the exception of the son and heir of the Lord of Dalkeith. Hewes sworn of James's PrivyCouncil and made his Justi- ciary and Lieutenant within the shire of Argyll. He founded the collegiate church of Kilmun, in Cowal, the burial-place of the Argyll family, and in 1445 was made a Lord of Parliament, and as "Duncan, Lord Campbell," had a charter, June 19, 1452, of twenty merks of the King's lands in Cowal. He died in 1453, and there is a monument to his memory at Kilmun. His first wife was Marjory, second daughter of Robert, Duke of Albany and Regent of Scotland. By this Royal lady he had three sons, the eldest of whom died before him without issue, and the third, Sin Come OF GLENURCHY, is the ancestor of the EARLS OF BREADALBANE. Lord Campbell's second son, Archibald, also died before him, but left a son, Colin, who succeeded his grandfather as second Lord Campbell, and being placed under the guardianship of his uncle, Sir Colin Campbell of Glenurchy, was by him married to Isabel Stewart, one of the three daughters and coheiresses of John, Lord of Lorn, another of whose daughters Sir Colin had himself married. These matches brought a large accession of property to the family and the undisputed chieftainship of the county of Argyll, and in 1457 James II. created the young Lord EARL OF ARGYLL.
About the year 1460, the commencement of James III.'s reign, the new. Earl interfered with effect in the family feuds of the Lorns. Allan of Lorn of the Wood had seized his elder brother Ker of Lorn, and confined him in a dungeon in the island of Kerweray, meaning to starve him to death and succeed to his estates. But Argyll, who through his wife was nearly related to these Lorna, arrived suddenly with a fleet of war galleys, entirely defeated Allan, burnt his fleet, slew the greater part of his men, and restored the elder brother to his rightful inheritance. Argyll
pertainand to the Earl of Argyll is callit 'Casten Campbell.' avenged by Sir John Campbell of Calder, who etabbel Maclean in The Earl died on the 10th May, 1493, and was succeeded by his his bed, though he had procured letters of protection. The Mat:- eldest son, Archibald, second Earl of Argyll, who during his father's leans and the clan Ian Mhar, led by Alexander of Isla, rose fir lifetime (3rd July, 1489) had obtained a grant of the lands of rebellion against Argyll's authority, and the latter applied to the Auchintorly and Dunnerbok, Dumbartonshire, and of Duchall in the King for ampler powers. James, however, decduel to grant county of Renfrew, forfeited by Robert, Lord Lyle. He succeeded these, and by negotiation an .l offers of pardon succeeded in to his father's office of Lord Chancellor of Scotland, and in Juno, putting an end to the insurrection, which had a family rather 1494, had a charter from Elizabeth Menteith, Lady Husky, than a poltical character. The poet Campbell has male this and Archibald Napier of Merchistoun, her son, of half the adventure of Elizabeth Campbell the subject of his well-knowti lands of Inchirna, Husky, &c., in the county of Argyll. In the ballad of " Glenara." Argyll was also appointed in 1528 Lieu- same year he held the office of Master of the Household, and had on tenant of the Borders and Warden of the Marches, and received the 7th of December a grant of the lauds of Inuergqhapill, and from an ample confirmation of the hereditary sheriffdotn of Argyll- that date to 1512 he had a great number of charters under the Great shire, and the oflicea of Justiciary of Scotland and Master of the Seal. According to Mr. Tytler some of these grants to Argyll, who Household, which thus became hereditary in his family. But falling was a Royal favourite, were at the expense of the rights of the island under the King's displeasure some three or four years afterwards—. chiefs. After tha year 1499 he says a complete change took place James endeavouring then in every way to check and diminish the in the policy of the King with respect to the Western Isles, "and feudal authority of the great lords—he was thrown into prison for the wise and moderate measures already adopted were succeeded by disobeying the Royal commands, and was deprived of the Lieu- proceedings so severe as to border on injustice. The charters tenancy of the Isles, which was granted to Mac-Ian. The Earl, which had been granted during the last six years to the vassals of greatly incensed at this treatment, threw himself into the part
piet the Isles were summarily revoked. Archibald, Earl of Argyll, was which looked for assistance to England and the return of t e installed in the office of Lieutenant, with the ample and invidious Douglases, but he died before November, 1533, as at that dat'..his purer of leasing out the entire lordship of the Isles (the island of eldest son, Archibald, was fourth Earl of Argyll. acted frequently in the capacity of a commissioner or ambassador Isla and the lands of North and South Kentire alone excepted). in the negotiations for peace or marriage with England in the reigns The ancient proprietors and their vaesals were violently expelled of Edward IV". and Richard HI., in 1461 was appointed Master of from their hereditary property, while Argyll and other Royal the King's Household, and in the following year, along with Lord favourites appear to have been enriched by new grants of Boyd, appointed Justiciary of Scotland south of the river Forth, an their estates and lordships." A general rising among the isle- office he held for many yeara. On the 7th May, 1466, he obtained a men took place in 1503, Donald Dhu being released from a confirmation of a charter of Walter Lard Lorn to him of the lands prison where he had remained for forty years, and proclaimed of Kippan in Perthshire, and on the 10th of the same month a Lord of the Isles ; nor was it till 1506 that the King succeeded charter to himself and Isabella Stewart of Lorn, his wife, of the in dissolving the confederacy, and crushing Torquil Macleod of lands of Culdrane and Maw in Fifeshire, and Innerdeny and others Stornaway Castle, Lewis, the real head of the rebellion. Argyll in Perthshire., on the resiguation of Mariote Stewart, his wife's commanded, with his brother-in-law, the Earl of Lennox, the sister, and on the 8th February, 1467, of the lands of Panill in right wing of the Scottish army at the fatal battle of Flodden, Perthshire. Having acquired the principal part of the property of September 9, 1513, and both Earls were left dead on the field. the two sisters of his wife, the Earl entered into an agreement with He married Lady Elizabeth Stewart, eldest daughter of John, their uncle Walter Lord Lora, on whom as heir male of the first Earl of Lennox, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Colin, Stewarts of Lorn the lordship of Lorn and barony of Innerneath third Earl of Argyll. This nobleman had obtained during his stool limited, by which Lord Walter resigned the former to the father's lifetime charters, in February, 1507, to himself, and Janet Earl (who assumed the title of Lord Lorn, and took the galley of Gordon his wife, of the lands of Glenuther, &c., in Argyllshire, Lora into his own achievement), reserving to himself the title of and in November, 1512, of all the King's lauds within the lord- Baron of Innerneath ; and on the 14th April, 1470, the Earl ship of Buchquhidder in Perthshire. During the absence of of Argyll obtained •a charter of the whole lordship of Lam to Albany in France in 1516 Argyll was appointed one of the Conn- himself and the heirs male of his body, with remainders to oil of Regency. The Isles now again demanded the intervention other members of his family, the Campbells of Glenurchy of the head of the Campbells. During the last years of the reign standing first, and a general remainder to the nearest heir male of James IV. they had been remarkably tranquil, that King hay- of the Earl bearing the name and arms of Campbell. On the ing taken great pains to establish and enforce the Royal authority 26th February, 1473, he had a grant of the office of justiciary, throughout that part of his dominions. Among other prudent chamberlain, sheriff, and bailie, within the King's lordahip of measures he had attached to his parson in several of his expedi- King's Cowal ; and another (May 8, 1474) erecting his town of tious the sons of Sir Alexander Macdonald, of Lochalsh, the heir of IarvEaany (or, as it was then spelt, " Innowreyra") into a burgh the Lords of the Isles, and they were with him at Flodden. But on of barony. On the 29th October, 1479, he obtained from James escaping from that defeat they thought the opportunity favourable LIL a charter of the lieutenancy and Commissionership of Argyll, for re-asserting the independence of the Isles, and Macdonald was and on the 26th February, 1481, another charter from that Prince accordingly proclaimed Lord of the Isles ; nor was it till after of 160 merk lands in Knapdale, and the keepership of Castle Saeue continued efforts and great exertions on the part of the Earl of in Perthshire and within the sheriffdom of Tarbet, create! into Argyll, who had been appointed Lieutenant-General over the Isles, the barony of Kirkmichael, to him and the heirs male of his body, that (on the extinctien of the line of Lochalsh) the insurrection with remainders as in the case of the lordship of Lorn. Argyll was once more brought to an end. The Earl was again appointed adhered to James III, at the time of the conspiracy of Archibald one of the Council of Regency in 1522 (being considered to lean to Bell-the-Cat and the nobles, which led to the execution of Coch- the Anti-English party), and on the final departure of Albany race, the King's favourite, in 1132, and early in 1483 was in 1524 the Earls of Argyll and Huntley, with the ChancellK appointed Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, and in April of and the Bishop of Aberdeen, were left in charge of the Government. that year obtained a charter of the lands of willekill and Litell Pin- In February, 1525, Argyll was appointed one of the Secret cartoun," in the barony of Dauber, forfeited by Alexander, Duke Council of Eight at the head of public affairs, but the authority of Albany, the King's brother. In 1454 he was one of the Corn- of all except Angus was but nominal. On the young King's escape miasionera to renew the ancient league of Scotland with France. from the Douglases in July, 1528, Argyll was one of those who But when the King in the Parliament of 1437 showed uumistake- obeyed his summons to Stirling Castle, and he took an active part able signs of an intention to proceed to extremities in the assertion in crushing the power of the Douglases, being the only lord who of the Royal authority over the great feudal lords and patriarchtl ventured to undertake, and performed, the task of expelling Angus chiefs, the Earl of Argyll with many others took alarm, and entered from Coldingham, compelling him to fly to England. James, in into the formidable confederacy 'with Prince James at its head gratitude for this service gave him several of the confiscated lands of which after one failure succeeded in overthrowing the King's forces theDeuglases, as, for instance, in December the barony of Abernethy at Sarchiebuni in 1488. In the May of that year, on the first in Perthshire. In the same year he became involved in a san- paeification, the Earl had thought it prudent to take refuge in guinary struggle in the Isles, of which he retained the governor- Englan I under a safe conduct from Henry VII., and he was there ship, arising out of a personal injury to his family. His daughter, at the time of the King's defeat and death. James IV. at once Lady Elizabeth Campbell, had been married to Maclean of Dawart, re-appointed him Chancellor, and gave him a charter, January 9, and the marriage proving an unhappy one, that ferocious chief 1490, of the lands of ROSENEATII, in Dumbartonshire, at present one exposed her upon a desolate rock near the Isle of Lismore, which at of the principal seats of the family. On the 3rd February in the same high water was covered by the sea. From this situation she was year he obtained an Act of Parliament, by which" Castel' Gloome rescued by a passing fiihing beat, and not long after the Lily was
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