Page 47 of Bound By Honor
Balliol’s weak behavior could hardly serve to pacify a king like Edward, who promptly sentenced King John to lose three of his castles. He went further, demanding that Balliol provide personal military service to him in France where Edward was engaged in a war with King Philip the Fair over Gascony.
Faced with Edward’s demands, like a lamb before a snarling wolf, Balliol said nothing. This caused Scotland’s nobles to be increasingly disillusioned with their new king.
In Ireland, trouble was brewing in Ulster, so that Alex now summoned Angus to Islay with a call for action.
Angus,
Matters have worsened in Ulster with the resumption of the old feud between the de Burghs and the Geraldines. Richard de Burgh calls for our help in defending his lands being decimated by the lawless John fitz Thomas Fitzgerald.
With my duties for King Edward, I cannot go but you must. John is with me on Islay and he would go, too. Come with your Islesmen and galloglass as soon as you can.
There is more to tell you.
Alex
Since he had become Lord of Kintyre, Angus had gained a small fleet of galleys and many galloglass were now at his beck and call. These days, his cousin was often at Dunaverty and had accompanied him on most of his voyages. Angus expected Duncan would want to be a part of this one as well.
Angus did not know the number of warriors fitz Thomas could call upon but if the Earl of Ulster needed help, it must be many, mayhap a thousand or more. Angus could call upon hundreds of Islesmen, thousands if the Isles were threatened, but with Balliol and the Comyns seeking vengeance on the Macdonalds, he could not take more men with him than his brother could do without. He would leave some of his fleet at Dunaverty for defense of Kintyre.
It took but a day to gather Duncan from Saddell. Returning to the Dunaverty, they joined Angus’ other ships and sailed for the southern coast of Islay. In the sheltered Lagavulin Bay with its wide rocky shore next to Dunyvaig Castle, they beached the galleys.
Angus, Duncan and Angus’ guard strode to the castle whose oak door was left open on this fine summer day. Inside the great hall, Angus found Alex hunched over a wooden table poring over a large parchment.
“Planning my voyage to Ulster?” asked Angus in an amused tone.
Alex raised his head. “Good day to you both. Nay, not planning but judging the strength of our forces scattered throughout the Isles. You know that Alexander MacDougall left his Argyll stronghold to plunder our Isles. What you may not know is that he has gone so far as to breach sanctuaries and burn ships under the protection of Holy Church.”
“God save us. It is worse than I thought. Are you certain you want me to go to Ulster?”
“You must. I promised aid to Earl Richard.”
Then looking beyond Angus, and seeing only his guard, Alex asked, “Did you bring a large number of men?”
“Aye. Fifteen galleys. And more than crew I brought archers and two physicians, Arthur MacNulty and Peter Bethune. I left five galleys at Dunaverty to guard the eastern approaches should you have need of them.”
“I might. Soon I must leave for Skye where MacDougall harasses and kills. Do you have more galloglass with you than your guard?”
“The entire crew of my lead ship is now galloglass and the other crews have many among them.”
Alexander nodded. “That is good.” Glancing around the hall, he said, “John’s around here somewhere and is anxious to see you. You’ve only a thirty-mile sail to Dunseverick but I would not delay.”
“Dunseverick?” The name was familiar, something his tutor had mentioned. Thinking hard, he remembered. Dunseverick had once been the capital of Dalriada, the Gaelic kingdom that had extended from Ulster to Skye. It was that kingdom Somerled had reconquered over a hundred years ago.
“Aye. ’Tis the castle of Cumee O’Cahan, an Irish lord and friend of the Earl of Ulster. It sits on a headland six miles north of de Burgh’s castle at Dunluce where your friend, the Earl of Carrick, will be staying.”
“The youngest Robert Bruce is coming to help the Red Earl?”
“His father, who is in Norway visiting his daughter, has sent him and it seems King Edward gave his permission for the young Bruce to be in Ireland for some months.”
It was the Turnberry alliance playing out before him but Angus made no mention of it since his brother did not know he and Rob had listened in as the nobles committed themselves to the agreement that bound them to the aid of each other years ago. The band called for support not only for the Bruces and any claim they had to Scotland’s throne, but also for the Earl of Ulster and Thomas de Clare who, even then, had adversaries in Connaught.
“Is the fitz Thomas you spoke of in your letter from Connaught?”
“Aye. A lawless troublemaker but a powerful one with estates in Leinster as well as Connaught and ambitions for more. He attacks the earl’s men throughout Ireland. I’m told that fighting has broken out in Tirconnell as well. Our nephew, Turlough, will doubtless be happy to see you.”
“If they are friends, I assume the O’Cahans at Dunseverick will support de Burgh.”
“They have many Irish warriors at their command and have already sent men to Dunluce. So, aye, both Lord Cumee and his son, Dermot, will stand with Earl Richard. I suggested Dunseverick for you since there is a long sandy beach just north of the castle where you can secure your ships. That way, you will not be arguing with de Burgh about where to lodge your men. I am certain his army occupies all the space he has. From Dunseverick you can borrow horses to ride south to Dunluce where Earl Richard will explain the current situation.”
