Eóin Mac Suibhne

Eóin Mac Suibhne (fl. 1310) was a fourteenth-century Scottish nobleman and a leading member of Clann Suibhne. In the middle of the thirteenth century, seemingly during the 1260s, Eóin's family appears to have been ejected from its homeland in Argyll by the Stewart/Menteith kindred. It may have been during this period that members of Clann Suibhne took up residence in Ireland.

In the first decade of the fourteenth century, Eóin appears on record claiming his family's Scottish lands. As such, Eóin campaigned on behalf of the English cause during the First War of Scottish Independence as a means of combating the Stewarts/Menteiths. An expedition by Eóin to reclaim his ancestral lordship may be referred to by a particular piece of mediaeval Gaelic poetry. Although a sixteenth-century source alleges that Eóin was the first Clann Suibhne Lord of Fanad, contemporary sources appear to show that the family gained the lordship later in the fourteenth century.

Background

Eóin was a member of Clann Suibhne,Nicholls (2007) pp. 91–93; Meek (2004) p. 234. a family descendedMcGettigan (2005); Tabraham (2005) pp. 28, 110; Campbell of Airds (2004a) p. 183; Roberts (1997) p. 101; Ewart; Triscott; Holmes et al. (1996) p. 518; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) pp. 19, 249 § 119, 258 § 119. from the eponymous Suibhne mac Duinn Shléibhe.Coira (2012) p. 191; Woolf (2005); Dawson (1995) p. 90; Sellar (1971) p. 27. Eóin's father was Suibhne, son of Maol Mhuire an Sparáin. The latter was a son of Murchadh Mac Suibhne,Nicholls (2007) p. 92. grandson of Suibhne mac Duinn Shléibhe.Sellar (1971).

At some point in the mid thirteenth centuryDuffy (2013) pp. 132–133; McNamee (2012a) ch. 6 ¶ 55; McNamee (2012b) ch. 2 ¶ 27; Young; Stead (2010b) p. 25; Brown, M (2008) pp. 40, 61; Boardman, S (2007) p. 97; Duffy (2007) p. 20; Boardman, S (2006) p. 15; McLeod (2005b) p. 32; Brown, M (2004) p. 111; Campbell of Airds (2004a) p. 183; McDonald (1997) pp. 155–156, 166; Duffy (1993) p. 153; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) pp. 20, 249 § 119; Watson, F (1991) p. 256; Munro; Munro (1986) pp. xxv–xxvi; Barrow (1981) p. 116; Dunbar; Duncan (1971) p. 6.—perhaps in the 1260s—Eóin's family appears to have been ejected from its homeland in Argyll.Duffy (2013) pp. 132–133; McNamee (2012a) ch. 6 ¶ 55; Young; Stead (2010b) p. 25; Brown, M (2008) pp. 40, 61; Barrow (2005) p. 76; Brown, M (2004) pp. 82, 86, 111; Meek (2004) p. 234; McDonald (1997) pp. 155–156, 166; Roberts (1997) pp. 110, 113; Duffy (1993) p. 153; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) pp. 20, 249 § 119; Watson, F (1991) p. 256; Young (1990) p. 15; Munro; Munro (1986) pp. xxv–xxvi; Barrow (1981) p. 116; Dunbar; Duncan (1971) p. 6. At about this point, the clan seems to have been displaced and replaced in the region by the Stewart/Menteith kindred.Duffy (2013) pp. 131–132; McNamee (2012a) ch. 6 ¶ 55; Young; Stead (2010b) p. 25; Brown, M (2008) pp. 40, 61; Oram; Adderley (2008) p. 76; Boardman, S (2007) p. 97; Duffy (2007) p. 20; Boardman, S (2006) p. 15; Barrow (2005) p. 76; Brown, M (2004) pp. 82, 86, 111; McDonald (1997) pp. 156, 166; Roberts (1997) pp. 110, 113; Ewart; Triscott; Holmes et al. (1996) p. 518; Duffy (1993) p. 153; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) pp. 20, 249 § 119; Watson, F (1991) p. 256; Young (1990) p. 15; Munro; Munro (1986) pp. xxv–xxvi; Barrow (1981) p. 116; Barrow (1973) p. 373; Dunbar; Duncan (1971) p. 6. As such, it may have been at about this time that Clann Suibhne took up residence in Ireland,Breen; Raven (2017) pp. 157–158; Duffy (2013) pp. 131–132; McNamee (2012a) ch. 6 ¶ 55; Boardman, S (2006) p. 15; McLeod (2005b) p. 32; Brown, M (2004) p. 86; Meek (2004) p. 234; Duffy (1993) p. 153. and it may have been during this period that the family began to act as suppliers of gallowglass warriors there.Brown, M (2004) p. 86; McDonald (1997) p. 156. Eóin's great-grandfather, Murchadh Mac Suibhne, is certainly reported to have perished in Ireland, as the prisoner of the Earl of Ulster, in 1267.Annals of the Four Masters (2013a) § 1267.2; Annals of the Four Masters (2013b) § 1267.2; Duffy (2013) p. 132; Annála Connacht (2011a) § 1267.3; Annála Connacht (2011b) § 1267.3; Annals of Loch Cé (2008) § 1267.2; Duffy (2007) p. 20; Nicholls (2007) p. 92; Simms (2007) p. 107; Annals of Loch Cé (2005) § 1267.2; McGettigan (2005); Brown, M (2004) p. 86; McDonald (1997) p. 155; Duffy (1993) p. 153; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) p. 258 § 119; Barrow (1981) p. 120; McKerral (1951) p. 6; Campbell (1911) p. 278.

As late as 1261, an earlier member of the clan, a certain Dubhghall mac Suibhne, is reported to have been the lord of Skipness Castle and its adjacent chapel. That year, according to a charter witnessed by Walter Stewart, Earl of Menteith, Dubhghall granted away some of his territory to Paisley Abbey.MacDonald, IG (2013) p. 315; Boardman, S (2007) p. 97; Butter (2007) pp. 84, 84 n. 200, 90; Boardman, S (2006) pp. 15, 30 n. 34; McDonald (1997) pp. 228, 241; Jennings (1994) p. 143; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) p. 258 § 119; Munro; Munro (1986) p. 87 § 58; Dunbar; Duncan (1971) p. 6; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1971) p. 178 § 314; Sellar (1971) p. 27; Simpson (1960) p. 12; McKerral (1951) p. 5; Campbell (1911) p. 277; Paul (1909) p. 130; Brown, A (1889) p. 189; Fraser (1888a) pp. 62–63; Lees (1878) p. 70; Origines Parochiales Scotiae (1854) pp. 27, 40; Howson (1841) p. 84; Registrum Monasterii de Passelet (1832) pp. 120–121; Document 3/381/1 (n.d.). The following year, Dubhghall is said to have signed over Skipness, and lands in Knapdale, Kintyre, and Cowal.Barker (2017); Boardman, S (2006) p. 30 n. 34; Campbell of Airds (2000) p. 31; Jennings (1994) p. 143; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) p. 258 § 119; Cowan (1990) p. 122; Easson (1986) p. 149; Munro; Munro (1986) p. 87 § 58; Sellar (1971) p. 27; McKerral (1951) p. 5; Campbell (1911) pp. 277, 278 n. 1; Paul (1909) pp. 130–131; Brown, A (1889) p. 189; Fraser (1888a) p. 63; Fraser (1888b) pp. xxx § 8, 216–217; Origines Parochiales Scotiae (1854) pp. 27–29, 40; Howson (1841) p. 84; Registrum Monasterii de Passelet (1832) pp. 121–122; Document 3/19/4 (n.d.).

The circumstances surrounding of Dubhghall's contract with Walter are unclear.Forte; Oram; Pedersen (2005) pp. 255–256; Barrow (1973) p. 373. There are no other records regarding the allotment of Clann Suibhne lands during this period, and it is not known if the Stewarts/Menteiths or their allies had already established themselves in Knapdale.Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) p. 258 § 119. One possibility is that Dubhghall and his family succumbed to a military campaign against them.Forte; Oram; Pedersen (2005) pp. 255–256. The creation of the Stewart/Menteith lordship of Knapdale may have been undertaken in the context of extending Scottish royal authority into Argyll and the Isles.Forte; Oram; Pedersen (2005) pp. 255–256; Young (1990) p. 15. This transition of power certainly seems to have marked an increase in Scottish authority in Argyll.Fisher (2005) p. 93. In any case, the continued Stewart/Menteith lordship of Knapdale is evidenced by Walter's grant of churches in Knapdale to Kilwinning Abbey,Barker (2017); Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) pp. 85 § 45, 150 § 71, 161 § 76, 258 § 119; Paul (1909) p. 131; Fraser (1888a) p. 63; Fraser (1888b) pp. xxxi § 13, 220–221; Theiner (1864) pp. 248 § 488, 257–258 §§ 504; Document 3/19/5 (n.d.). and by an act of parliament that notes the earl's land of Knapdale in 1293.Barrow (2005) p. 76; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) p. 258 § 119; Paul (1909) p. 132; Brown, A (1889) p. 189; Fraser (1888a) p. 73; Origines Parochiales Scotiae (1854) p. 40; The Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland (1844) p. 447/91; RPS, 1293/2/17 (n.d.a); RPS, 1293/2/17 (n.d.b). Regardless, ensuing historical events reveal that later members of Clann Suibhne regarded this territorial arrangement as unacceptable.Barrow (2005) p. 76; Barrow (1973) p. 373.

Campaigning for the English in 1310

Eóin appears to be the subject of a remarkable piece of Gaelic poetry called Dál chabhlaigh ar Chaistéal Suibhne ("An assembling of a fleet against Castle Sween").Jesch (2016) p. 330; Parsons (2013) pp. 28–29; McNamee (2012a) ch. 6 ¶ 55; Clancy (2007) p. 68; Robinson; Ó Maolalaigh (2007) p. 155; Simms (2007) p. 110; MacGregor (2006) p. 63; McLeod (2005b) pp. 25–26, 45; Brown, M (2004) pp. 262, 263 n. 13; Meek (2004) p. 234; MacGregor (2000) pp. 14–15; McDonald (1997) p. 249; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) pp. 20, 249 § 119, 258 § 119; Dunn (1948) p. 2; Watson, WJ (1922) p. 229; M'Lachlan; Skene (1862) pp. 151a–154a, 116b–119b; Bardic Poetry Database (n.d.) § 618. Dal chabhlaigh ar Chaisteal Suibhne $. The poem was authored by Artúr Dall Mac Gurcaigh,Coira (2012) p. 11; Parsons (2013) p. 28; Clancy (2007) p. 68; MacGregor (2006) p. 63; McLeod (2005a) p. 56; McLeod (2005b) p. 25; McLeod (2005c) p. 152; McWhannell (2002) p. 17; Dunn (1948) p. 2; Watson, WJ (1922) p. 229. and possibly composed for Eóin himself.Coira (2012) p. 11; Breeze (2007) p. 106; Robinson; Ó Maolalaigh (2007) p. 155; Simms (2007) p. 110; Watson, R (1984) p. 21; Watson, WJ (1922) p. 229. Artúr's poem purports to describe a seaborne invasion of Castle Sween and surrounding Knapdale from Ireland.Jesch (2016) p. 330; McNamee (2012a) ch. 6 ¶ 55; MacGregor (2007) p. 212; Simms (2007) p. 110; MacGregor (2006) p. 63; Raven, JA (2005) p. 21; Brown, M (2004) p. 263; McDonald (1997) pp. 20, 249; Ewart; Triscott; Holmes et al. (1996) p. 518; Dawson (1995) p. 91; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) p. 20; Watson, R (1984) p. 21; Rixson (1982) pp. 67, 88, 188–189; M'Lachlan; Skene (1862) pp. 151a–154a, 116b–119b; Bardic Poetry Database (n.d.) § 618. Dal chabhlaigh ar Chaisteal Suibhne $. Whilst it is possible that the poem refers to an actual attack upon the ancestral Clann Suibhne seat,MacInnes (2004) p. 192; McDonald (1997) pp. 166, 249; Ewart; Triscott; Holmes et al. (1996) p. 518; Argyll: An Inventory of the Monuments (1992) pp. 20, 249 § 119, 258 § 119. it is also possible that the composition merely depicts an idealised and exaggerated expedition that was never undertaken.Coira (2012) p. 193; Breeze (2007) p. 106; Simms (2007) pp. 110–111; Raven, JA (2005) p. 21. In fact, there is reason to suspect that the poem was composed not for Eóin, but for a fourteenth-century member of the kindred, Eóghan, brother of Toirdhealbhach Caoch Mac Suibhne, Lord of Fanad. As such, Dál chabhlaigh ar Chaistéal Suibhne may instead concern a proposed expedition by Eóghan to reclaim his family's ancestral Scottish heritage.Simms (2018) pp. 437–438 n. 59; Simms (2007) p. 111.

Historically, in February 1306, Robert Bruce VII, Earl of Carrick, a claimant to the Scottish throne, murdered his chief rival to the kingship, John Comyn of Badenoch.Young; Stead (2010a) p. 80; Barrow (2008); Barrow (2005) p. 181; Young (2004); Boardman, S (2001); McDonald (1997) p. 169. Although the former seized the throne (as Robert I) by March, the English Crown immediately struck back, defeating his forces in June. By September, Robert was a fugitive, and seems to have escaped into the Hebrides.Barrow (2008); McDonald (1997) pp. 170–174. In 1307, at about the time of the death of Edward I, King of England in July, Robert mounted a remarkable return to power.Young; Stead (2010a) pp. 92–93; Barrow (2008); Barrow (2005) pp. 220–224; McDonald (1997) pp. 174–175. By 1309, his opponents had been largely overcome, and he held his first parliament as king.Barrow (2008).