Clan Campbell is historically one of the largest and most powerful Highland
Scottish clans.
History
Origins of the clan
The origins of Clan Campbell are uncertain. The earliest attested Campbell is Gilleasbaig of Menstrie (floruit 1260s}, father of
Cailean Mór, from whom the chiefs of the clan are thought to have taken their style
MacCailean Mór. The byname kambel is recorded at this time. Fanciful
reconstructions derive it from the French de Campo Bello, but the likely source
is the Classical Gaelic caimbeul, meaning wry mouth or crooked mouth.
Regarding the earlier ancestors of Clan Campbell, there is good evidence that the Campbells themselves traced their descent
from an earlier kindred known as the Mac Duibne, or perhaps the Uí Duibne. It has been suggested that the family's early
landholdings, around Menstrie, and in Cowal, were related to the
partition of the Mormaerdom of Lennox in 1213, and that Gilleasbuig may have been a
kinsman of Mormaer Muireadhach Mór. The lands around Loch Awe, which would later form the core of their possessions, were not held at an early date. The family was
closely associated with the Bruces and Stewarts
in the time of Cailean Mór and his son Sir Niall. Cailean Mór was killed in battle
against the Macdougalls, enemies of Bruce and Stewart, and Sir Niall was a staunch ally
of King Robert Bruce. Cailean Mór's mother Affrica of Carrick was probably the
first cousin of King Robert's mother, Marjorie, Countess of Carrick.
The name begins to be established in Argyll at the end of the 13th century, as followers of
the Earl of Lennox, with Campbells owning lands in Kintyre and the famous warrior Cailean Mór (Great Colin) knighted
(1280) and established at Loch Awe. Cailean Mór's older brother
established at Strachur forming the oldest branch of Clan Campbell, see
Campbell of Strachur.
Wars of Scottish Independence
The family of Colin Campbell went on to become firm supporters of King Robert the
Bruce and benefited from his successes with grants of lands, titles and good marriages. They fought for the Bruce, against
the English at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333 during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
It would be important to note that the Descendants of Sir Duncan
Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell and Lady Marjorie Stewart would be descendants of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland and
Robert II Stewart, King of Scotland. Lady Marjorie Stewart, b. 1390 was the daughter of King Robert II's son, Robert Stewart, 1st
Duke of Albany. This would make all descendants of Sir Dunchan Campbell and Lady Marjorie Stewart descendants of Robert I Bruce
and most of the early Kings of Scotland.
The first Lord Campbell was created in 1445. It was from the 15th
century that the Campbells came to take an increasingly prominent role, Colin Campbell was en-nobled as the Earl of
Argyll in 1457 and later became Baron of Lorn and was also
granted lands in Knapdale, signs that the Argylls were one of
the major forces in Scotland. Over the centuries, various Campbell Clan Chiefs, including
Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, and John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, have played key roles in Scottish and, indeed,
British history.
16th century Anglo-Scottish Wars & clan conflicts
- Later during the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Campbell was among the Scottish forces who fought the English at the
Battle of Pinkie Cleugh on 10th September 1547. Due to the large number of
Scottish lives lost at this battle the 10th of September is remembered today in Scotland as Black Saturday. [2]
- In 1567 a conflict took place between the Clan Campbell and Clan Arthur. Duncan
MacArthur and his son of the Loch Awe MacArthur family, became the victims of their own success when jealousy of their power
drove neighbours to drown them in Loch Awe during a skirmish with the Clan Campbell. In the archives of Inveraray Castle a
charter dated 1567 confirms that a pardon was granted to the Campbells of Inverawe for the "drowning of Clan Arthur". It is
believed that the MacArthurs trying to defend themselves were driven into the loch. Centuries later in the 1970's an ancient
sword was unearthed on the shore of the loch.
17th century & Civil War
- During the Civil War the Clan Campbell fought as Covenanters. In 1644 the
Clan Irvine who were staunch royalist supporters found themselves surrounded by Covenanter
clans. The Irvine's Drum Castle was sacked on May 2nd 1644 by the Clan Campbell. A chair
with Drum symbols is now in the Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, believed to have been taken from Drum Castle either in 1644 by the
Campbells or in 1640 when a previous raid was carried out by the Clan Munro.
- 1646, The Clan Campbell, neighbours of the Clan Lamont had steadily encroached the
Lamont's lands. After the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645 the Clan Lamont took the opportunity
to lay waste to the Campbell's territory. However the following year in 1646 the powerful Clan Campbell army invaded the
Clan Lamont taking their Castles Toward and Ascog. Sir James Lamont surrendered after
accepting fair terms for his people. However the Campbells then slaughtered over two hundred of Lamont's men, women and children.
Elsewhere one tree was said to have carried thirty five bodies from its branches and another thirty six men were buried alive.
The two Lamont castles were decimated and Sir James Lamont was thrown into a dungeon for five years. This became known as the
Dunoon Massacre.
- In 1647 Duart Castle of the Clan MacLean was
attacked and laid siege to by the Argyll government troops of Clan Campbell led by Stuart A Campbell, but they were defeated and
driven off by the Royalist troops of the Clan MacLean. [5]
- In 1678 the Battle of Altimarlech took place between the Clan Campbell and Clan
Sinclair. Legend has it that so many Sinclairs were killed that the Campbells were able to cross the river without getting
their feet wet. Clearly, however, the Sinclairs had influence in high places as a few years later, in 1681, they regained the
earldom by an order of Parliament.[8][9]
- In 1692, 78 unarmed MacDonalds were murdered in the Massacre of Glencoe when a government initiative to suppress Jacobitism was entangled in the long running feud between Clan MacDonald and Clan Campbell. The slaughter of
the MacDonalds at the hands of the soldiers, led by Captain Robert Campbell of
Glenlyon, after enjoying their hospitality for over a week was a major affront of Scottish Law and Highland tradition.
However it should be noted that none of the men who carried out the massacre, serving under Robert Campbell were from the Clan
Campbell or of the name Campbell, none the less the Clan Campbell were viewed as traitors because of this act. [10]
18th century & Jacobite Uprisings
![The Black Watch tartan, also known as the Government sett, or the Campbell tartan. The tartan was used, and is in current use, by several military units throughout the Commonwealth.[11]](http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/b/b8/180px-Black_Watch_or_Campbell_tartan.png)
The
Black Watch tartan, also known as the
Government sett, or the
Campbell
tartan. The tartan was used, and is in current use, by several military units throughout the
Commonwealth.
[11]
- 1715 to 1719 Jacobite Rising
On 23rd October 1715, chief John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
having learned that a detachment of rebels was passing by Castle Campbell, towards
Dunfermline, sent out a body of cavalry, which came up with the party, and defeated it,
taking a number of gentlemen prisoners, with the damage of one dragoon wounded in the cheek, and one horse slightly hurt. A month
later the British government forces of Clan Campbell fought and defeated the Jacobites at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. However there were in fact a small number Campbells who took the
side of the Jacobites led by the son of Campbell of Glenlyon whose father had commanded the government troops at the Massacre of
Glencoe 22 years earlier. The two young men "buried the hatchet" and swore to be brothers in arms, fighting side by side in the
Sheriffmuir. However the British government forces led by the Argyll Campbells defeated the Jacobites. [12]
- The Black Watch
In 1725 six Independent Black Watch companies were formed. Three from Clan Campbell, one
from Clan Fraser, one from Clan Munro and one from
Clan Grant. These companies were known by the name Reicudan Dhu, or Black Watch. Taking
advantage of the partisan nature and warrior instincts of the highlanders, these men were authorised to wear the kilt and to bear
arms, thus it was not difficult to find recruits. The regiment was then officially known as the 42nd Regiment of Foot.
- 1745 to 1746 Jacobite Rising
During the Jacobite Uprisings of 1745 to 1746 the Clan Campbell continued their support for the British Government. They
fought against the rebel Jacobites at the Battle of Falkirk (1746) where
government forces were defeated. However shortly afterwards the Clan Campbell held out during the Siege of Fort William. The Jacobites could not defeat the Campbell defenders who had been well
supplied. Eventually the Campbells sent out their own force from Fort William who defeated the besieging Jacobites and captured
their siege cannons. [13]
Soon afterwards men of the Clan Campbell who formed part of Loudon's Highlanders
Regiment helped to finally defeat the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden in
1746.
Campbell's castles
Inveraray Castle, seat of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of Clan Campbell.
Clan profile
- Origin of the name: Cam Beul (Gaelic for "Crooked mouth") (Surname)
- Other Gaelic names: Cambeulach (Singular) &O Duibne (Collective)
- Motto: Ne Obliviscaris (Latin for "Forget Not")
- Slogan: "Cruachan!" (from the mountain north of Loch Awe, overlooking the bulk of the
Campbell lands in Argyll)
- Pipe music: "Baile Inneraora" (The Campbells Are Coming)
- Plant badge: Bog Myrtle
Tartans
The Campbell tartan as published in the
Vestiarium Scoticum. It is also known
as the Campbell of Argyll, or Campbell of Lochawe. In the late eighteenth century this tartan was in use by the Duke of Argyll.
The tartan is the Black Watch tartan with additional white and yellow stripes. Later Dukes sought to exclude the white and yellow
stripes, which they claimed were only used to distinguish Chiefs.
Clan Campbell has several recognized tartans:
- Campbell:[14] More commonly known as the
Black Watch tartan or the Government Sett. The Black Watch, first raised in 1725, was
the first Highland Regiment in the British Army.[11] All Campbell tartans are based upon the Black Watch tartan, as are many
clan tartans. The tartan was used, and is in current use, by several military units throughout the Commonwealth.[11]
- Campbell of Breadalbane:[14] This tartan
may be worn by Campbells of the Breadalbane, or Glenorchy branches.[14]
- Campbell of Cawdor:[14] This tartan may
be worn by members of the Campbell of Cawdor branch.[14]
- Campbell of Loudoun:[14] This tartan may
be worn by members of the Campbell of Loudoun branch.[14]
Chief
Branches
- Campbell of Argyll
- Campbell of Breadalbane
- Campbell of Loudoun
- Campbell of Cawdor
Septs of Clan Campbell
- Arthur, MacArtair, MacArthur, MacCarter.[15]
- Bannatyne.[15]
- Burnes, Burness, Burnett, Burns.[15]
- Caddell, Cadell, Calder, Cattell.[15]
- Connochie, Conochie, MacConachie, MacConchie, MacConnechy, MacConochie.[15]
- Denoon, Denune.[15]
- Gibbon, Gibson, MacGibbon, MacGubbin.[15]
- Harres, Harris, Hawes, Haws, Hawson.[15]
- Hastings.[15]
- Isaac, Isaacs, Kissack, Kissock, MacIsaac, MacKessack, MacKessock, MacKissock.[15]
- Iverson, Macever, Macgure, MacIver, MacIvor, Macure, Orr, Ure.[15]
- Kellar, Keller, Maceller, MacKellar.[15]
- Lorne.[15]
- Louden, Loudon, Loudoun, Lowden, Lowdon.[15]
- MacColm, MacColmbe, MacLaws, MacLehose, MacTause, MacTavish, MacThomas, Taweson, Tawesson, Thomas, Thomason, Thompson,
Thomson.[15]
- MacDermid, MacDermott, MacDiarmid.[15]
- MacElvie, MacKelvie.[15]
- MacGlasrich.[15]
- MacKerlie.[15]
- MacNichol.[15]
- MacNocaird.[15]
- MacOran.[15]
- Macowen.[15]
- MacPhedran,[15] MacPhederain,[16] Paterson.[16]
- MacPhun.[15]
- Moore, Muir.[15]
- Ochiltree.[15]
- Pinkerton.[15]
- Torrie, Torry.[15]
See also
Notes
References
- Boardman, Steve, The Campbells 1250–1513. Edinburgh: John Donald, 2006. ISBN 0-85976-662-4
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
![The Black Watch tartan, also known as the Government sett, or the Campbell tartan. The tartan was used, and is in current use, by several military units throughout the Commonwealth.[11]](http://www.answers.com/main/Record2?a=NR&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FImage%3ABlack%2520Watch%2520or%2520Campbell%2520tartan.png)
%20(Stewart%20-%20'The%20Setts').png)
