Historical account of the family of Frisel or Fraser, particularly Fraser of Lovat

FAMILY OF ERASER. 59
tlie rude mountaineers to acknowledge the power of regular govem-
mpnt ^ ' Mar. Achiev. 11.
'"^ 279. Pinkerton I.
He held a parhament in the castle,, to which he summoned all the 'i^-
northern chiefs and barons. TInee men of rank were executed, and
Alexander, Lord of the Isles, was ordered into custody for a year. * » Pinkeitori, i. iia
Conciliatory measures served but to increase the pride of this noble.
On being set at liberty, he indidged his revenge, by burning the town
of Inverness, and then proceeded to besiege the castle. Justly irritated,
the King marched against the spoiler, and defeated his forces, 23d June,
14i29. No course remained to the vanquished prince, but to sue for
mercy. He came privately to Edinburgh, and kneeling down before
the high altar of Holyrood church, dui'ing the celebration of divine ser-
vice, attued in his shirt and drawers, besought the royal clemency. " ' E"9'',anan's
' ' o J J Scottish Siniames,
The place, the time, and habit of the suppliant, awoke compassion. His ^^'•
life was spared ; but he was doomed to captivity in TantaHoh castle.
The lenient conduct of the King excited neither gratitude nor re^
gard ; fresh commotions broke out in the Highlands. Angus Duff and A. D.. 1431.
Angus Moray, lately delivered from their imprisonment in the Castle of
Inverness, met in conflict with 1200 men on either side. The encoun-
ter was long and deadly ; of the whole force engaged, but nine were left
alive.' At the same time, Donald Baloch, cousin-german to the exile c Bower.
Alexander of the Isles, invaded Lochaber, and attacked the Earls of
Mar and Caithness at Inverlochy.* The last was slain, with sixteen ■" Buchanan, Lib.
X. p. 465.
squires of his own family, wlulst the Earl of Mar found safety in flight,
after beholding the defeat of hi» army. Donald having wasted Locha-
ber with fire and sword, retu-ed with an immense booty to his isles. Of
these spoUers, none shone so barbarously pre-eminent as a robber of the
sept M'Donald. A widow whom he had defrauded, threatened to lay
her case before the Sovereign himself.^ Indignant at the menace, the ' ^'''''' -^- ''**'•
wretch nailed horse shoes to the soles of her feet, adding insult to cruelty,
by exhibituig her to his fellows. But the woman found means of statino-
her grievances. The offender was secured, and by an act of impartial.