Matheson Collection > Clan Donald > Volume 1

THE CLAN DONAIiD UNDER JAMES V. 329
Gruamach, son of Donald Gailach of Dunskaith, in
Skye, and head of the Clan Uisdean, gave a bond
of manrent to Sir John Campbell of Cawdor. In
1520, Dugall Makranald of Ellantirrim gives a bond
of service to the Knight of Cawdor/ while in the same
year his successor in the command of the Clanranald,
Alexander McAllan, with his hand at the pen, signs
a similar instrument, undertaking the same kind of
engagement.^ In the same year Alexander of
Dunnyveg signs a bond of manrent, gossipry, and
service also to Sir John Campbell of Cawdor.^ It is
thus evident that the House of Argyje was using
every means that lay to its hand for assuming the
functions and filling the position left vacant by the
forfeiture of the Island Lordship, while the cadet
families of the fallen House of Isla were in a measure
compelled to cultivate the favour and goodwill of
these politic and ambitious chiefs. It was a time of
triumph for the Clan Campbell, whose star was now
steadily in the ascendant, while the Clan Donald,
with the loss of their ruling family, had fallen upon
evil times and evil tongues, " with danger and with
darkness compassed round."
In order to review with clearness the progress of
events from 1520 to 1528, it may be desirable, in
the meantime, to pass on to the latter year, in the
course of which an incident occurred which exercised
a far-reaching influence upon contemporary events,
and in the light of which the past, as well as the
future, becomes clearer to the historian's gaze.
Previous to 1528, James Y., who was but a child
of two when his father fell at Flodden, had been
virtually a prisoner in the hands of the Earl of
Angus, who acted in the capacity of Regent. In
^ Thanes of Cawdor ad tempus. * Ibid. ^ Ibid.