Matheson Collection > Clan Donald > Volume 1

JOHN DE ILE, EARL OF ROSS. 227
the Macdonald Family at Westminster, two
Commissioners were appointed. Ranald Bane
of the Isles, son of John Mor Tainistear, and
founder of the family of Largie, and Duncan,
Archdean of the Isles, were appointed to meet
the English Commissioners ; and it was no ordinary
sign of confidence that they were entrusted with
such important and delicate negotiations. The
English Commissioners appointed to meet the
Commissioners of the Isles at Westminster were
Lawrence, Bishop of Durham, the Earl of Worcester,
the Prior of St John's, Lord Wenlock, and Robert
Stillington, Keeper of the King's Seal. The treaty
that was concluded in the name of the English
King and the Earl of Ross, with the Earl of
Douglas as the moving spirit of the plot, was
bold and sweeping in its provisions. It was
undoubtedly treasonable to the Scottish State,
but the whole history of the family of the Isles,
and in a measure, of that of Douglas, was a
continued protest against the supremacy of the
Crown. From the terms of the treaty, it would
appear that the object in view was nothing less
than the complete conquest of Scotland by the
Earls of Ross and Douglas, assisted by the English
King. The Earl of Koss, Donald Balloch, and
John, his son and heir, agreed to become vassals
of England-, and with their followers to assist
Edward IV. in his wars in Ireland and elsewhere.
For these services, and as the reward of their
vassalage, the Earl of Ross was to be paid a
salary of £200 sterling annually in time of war,
and in time of peace, 100 merks ; Donald Balloch
and his son John were to be paid salaries respec-
tively of £40 and £20 in time of war, and in time