Battle_of_Mamsha

Battle of Mamsha

Battle of Mamsha

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The Battle of Mamsha was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1429 and that was fought by the Clan Fraser of Lovat who defeated the invading Clan Donald.

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Background

In 1429, Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross, 3rd Lord of the Isles and chief of Clan Donald, besieged Inverness Castle and burnt the town of Inverness to ashes.[1] Hugh Fraser, 3rd Lord Fraser having obstructed his passage through his territory and causing him to take a circuitous route, the Lord of the Isles was determined to punish the Fraser chief.[1][2] He set out from Lochaber leaving a strong party in Inverness and made reprisals on Fraser and his tenantry.[1][2] The Lord of the Isles' force was strengthened day by day with new arrivals from the west until he came to lay siege to Fraser's castle of Lovat.[1][2] However, the Frasers were too many and attacked the MacDonalds near Lovat, while the people of the country killed all of those who straggled from the main body.[1] The Frasers attacked the MacDonalds at Fanellan, and so they were obliged to abandon the siege and retreat.[1][2]

The battle

Several skirmishes took place along the march but when the MacDonalds reached the moor of Caiplich which was a few miles west of Inverness, they halted and stood at bay to give battle.[1][2] The MacDonalds fought with courage and determination, but to no avail and were defeated by the Frasers.[1][2] The MacDonald's being completely routed and defeated by the Fraser's vassals, the engagement was remembered locally as the Battle of Mamsha.[1][2]

Aftermath

The men of the Isles were for a long time thereafter unwilling to interfere with the peace and tranquility of Fraser country in Inverness-shire,[1] that was known as The Aird.[2]

References

  1. [1]
    Mackenzie, Alexander (1896). History of the Frasers of Lovat, with genealogies of the principal families of the name: to which is added those of Dunballoch and Phopachy. Inverness: A. & W. Mackenzie. p. 58.
  2. [2]
    Anderson, John (1825). Historical Account of the Family of Frisel Or Fraser, Particularly Fraser of Lovat. Edinburgh: William Blackwood. p. 65. Quoting: George Buchanan, Book XII. p. 69 and MS of Frasers in the Advocates Library
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