Modan; of Kilninver in Lorn, Kilbrandon in Seil, Kirkapol in Tiree, Kilmonivaig in Lochaber, and Kilmarrow in Kintyre. (Origines Par. Scot.) The order of Vallis Caulium had its origin in Burgundy in France. It was confirmed by a Bull of Pope Innocent III., 10th February, 1205-6. Twenty-five years later three priories were founded in Britain, viz.: Pluscarden in Moray, Beauly in Ross, and Ardchattan in Argyle. The histories of the priories of Pluscarden and Beauly have been written, but there is no prospect of the history of Ardchattan being undertaken. All that is known about it are references in the injunctions of the mother seminary to the prior of Beauly, the ruins and its founding by Duncan, son of Dougall, son of Reginald, son of Somerled, in 1230.

Skene says: "A few years later it was resolved to remove the seat of the bishopric, probably for security, to the island of Lismore, when it was in 1251 endowed by Eugenius, the son of Dunkan of Argyle." (Celtic Scotland, Vol. II.) This removal could only be partial, as we find in the year 1296, "Pieres, the prior of Ercattan, and the whole convent, swore fealty to King Edward I." (Ragman Rolls.)

Duncan appears to have had two sons, Ewen and Alexander, both styled "de Ergadia."

EWEN.

Ewen grants a charter to the See of Argyle in 1240, which begins "Omnibus sanctae matris ecclesia filiis hes literas visuris vel auditurus Eugenus miles filius Duncani de Erregaithill.” This Ewen seems also to have had a son called Ewen, who in 1304 makes certain grants to the See of Argyle, which run thus: "Universis sanctae matris Ecclesia filiis ad quos presentes literoe pervenerint Eugenius de Ergadia, Dominus de Lorne, de Menderaloch et de Lismore Eternum in Domino Salutem." (Reg. Great Seal.)

Alexander, the son of Angus of the Isles, married the daughter and heiress of this Ewen, as already referred to.

The other son of Duncan, the son of Dugall, was

ALEXANDER DE ERGADIA.

This was the most powerful of the MacDougalls of Lorn, through his having married the third daughter of the Red Comyn, whom Bruce slew in the Dominican Church at Dumfries.

His history from 1283 to 1310 is a romantic pageant.

Among the great barons summoned by Alexander III., 5th February, 1283-84, to the Parliament of Scone to settle the succession of the Crown was Alexander de Ergadia. In 1284, Alexander de Ergadia attended at the Scottish Parliament that settled the Crown on the maid of Norway. (Rymer's Foedera.)

In the letter addressed by the Estates of Scotland assembled at Brigham near Roxburgh in 1289, regarding the marriage of the maid of Norway with Prince Edward of England, which letter was signed by the dignified clergy and all the earls and barons of the realm, among the latter is Alisaundre de Ergayl. (Ibid.) In 1290, Alexander was one of those who, in the name of the community of Scotland, assented to King Edward's proposal for marrying the maiden of Norway to Edward his son. (Ibid.)

On the day of the feast of St. Thomas, 1292, Alexander de Ergaithel Seigneur de Lorn comes under obligation to Edward of England to keep peace in his parts of the Isles. (Hugh MacDonald's Papers.)

In 1292, the testimonials declaring that the competitors, Baliol and Bruce, had so completed their pleadings that King Edward might proceed to judgment. Among the magnates appointed as auditors is Alisaundre de Ergeyle.—(Palgrave's Illustrations.)

In the first Parliament held in Scotland by King John Baliol

in Scone in 1292, Alexander de Ergadia is appointed vicecometatis or governor of Mid-Argyle.-(Scots' Acts Par.)

In 1292-3, Alexander de Ergadia is ordered by King John Baliol to summon Angus son of Donald, Laumun son of Ereghar, and Angus son of Duncan the son of Ereghar, to do homage to King John.—(Ibid.)

In 1296, King Edward I. ordered Alexander, Earl of Meneteth, to seize all the lands of Alexander of Ergyl, and of John, his son. (Rotuli Scotia.)

In the year 1296, Alexander of Ergayl, chevalier, and Maucolum, his brother, swore fealty to King Edward at Berwickon-Tweed.-(Ragman Rolls.)

In 1306, Bruce and his followers sought refuge from the English among the mountains of Argyle. Alexander of Argyle, eager to revenge the death of his friend, the Red Comyn, attacked the king; a fierce combat ensued, and the royalists were overpowered at Dalree, The prowess of Bruce on this occasion is so popular as to comprise almost all that is handed down in history of the house of Lorn. Lord Hailes says: "This story is related with many minute circumstances, and may be true. I could not, however, venture to place it in my narrative." (Annals of Scotland, Vol. II., p. 8.

In 1308, among the signatories to the letter of the Scottish nobles addressed to the king of France regarding Robert Bruce, is that of Alexander de Ergadia.-(Rotuli Scotia.)

In the same year, Alexander of Argyle, who about this period was one of the Council of John of Bretagni, King Edward's lieutenant of Scotland, returned to the allegiance of King Robert Bruce. (Palgrave's Illustrations.)

From

In 1310, Alexander was again in the English interest. this date it is uncertain how he ended his days, but his son John remained faithful to Edward and his son, but was the inveterate enemy of King Robert Bruce all his days.

About the first year of the reign of King David II., he granted a charter to John Lorn of all his lands in Lorne, whilk were Alexander of Lorne's within Lorne.-(Robertson's Index.)

SECOND. THE FAMILY OF SWENE.

The family of Swene has been overlooked, or misunderstood, by our modern historiographers. Of this family Dr. Skene says: "North Kintyre was held by a certain Duffgallus, the son of Syfin." He also says Murchard, a vassal of the Earl of Menteth in North Kintyre, obtained the district from the baron to whom it had been granted by Alexander II.-(Hist. Highlanders, Vol. II., p. 53.)

Skene might tell us who this baron was that gave the district to Murchard.

The

Not a great deal was known of the Menteth Stewarts. founder of the race was Walter, a younger brother of Alexander the fourth High Steward, who, marrying a daughter of Maurice, Earl of Menteth, was, after a protracted suit with Walter Comyn and his son William, awarded the earldom by a decree of the Parliament held at Scone in 1285.

We shall immediately see that both Dufgal and Murchard were of the house of Swene, and had possession of both Kintyre and Knapdale before the Earl of Menteth had a footing there.

The extensive possessions of this family, as already described, extended from the middle of the peninsula of Kintyre to Crinan and Lochgilp. Their strongholds were Castle Sween in Knapdale, and Castle Skipness in Kintyre. Like the other old families of Argyle, they were not unmindful of the Paisley fraternity.

In the year 1247, Pope Innocent IV. confirmed to the rector of the Church of Saint Calmonel in Kentyr, a certain portion of land, commonly called a penny land, which had been

granted to that church by Dufgal, late patron of same. (Reg. Pass., p. 123.)

In the year 1261, Dufgal, the son of Syfin, with the consent of John, his heir, granted to the monks of Paisley the right of patronage of the Church of Saint Colmanel, which was situated near the Castle of Schepehinche, after the death of Clement, rector of said church, bequeathing at same time his body to be buried in the monastery of Paisley. (Ibid., pp. 120-121.)

In the year 1262, Walter Steward, Earl of Menthet, confirmed to the monks of Paisley the grants of Dufgal, the son of Syfin, made to them before he gave him (Walter Steward) his lands of Schyphinche, regarding the Church of Saint Colmanel, situated within the said land, with one penny land belonging to that church and the chapel near the Castle of Schyphinche. (Ibid., pp. 121-122.)

Dufgal granted Walter Steward, of Menchet, his lands of Schyphinche in free barony to the king, for two-thirds of one soldier and other service. (Ibid., pp. 120-121.)

In October, 1269, the following grants were inspected by Bishop Lawrence of Argyle, viz.:—“Nos inspexise cartas Domini Engusii filii Dovenaldi et Dufgalli filii Syffyn nec non Duncani filii Ferkardi et Lawmani filii Malcomi nepotis ejusdem," upon the collation and patronage of Kilkerran, Calmonell, and Kilfinan in Kethrome Congal (Kerry in Cowal.) (Ib., p. 136.)

In 1292, the Earl of Menteth's lands of Knapdale are named in an ordinance of King John Baliol. (Act Parl. Scot., Vol. I., p. 91.)

King Robert Bruce is said to have granted, before the year 1310, the lands of Knapdale to John of Menteth. About the eighteenth year of the reign of King Robert Bruce, he granted charter of certain lands in Kincardineshire to John Monteth by excambion of some lands in Argyle. (Robertson's Index.)

In 1310, King Edward II., in order that John of Swein (this