Claymore and Kilt: Tales of Scottish Kings and Castles by Sorche Nic Leodhas

Author:Sorche Nic Leodhas
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781497640139
Publisher: Open Road Media

THE TALE OF THE WRATH OF GOD

Angus of Islay 1480 A.D.

John, Lord of the Western Isles, had a son named Angus, a hot-headed lad, quick to avenge a slight or an insult and always spoiling for a fight. Angus, though young, was already a man of some importance, being chieftain of the Isle of Islay and the son-in-law of the rich and powerful Earl of Argyll. But in spite of it all he was not satisfied.

His father, the Lord of the Isles, had formerly been the Earl of Ross as well. But the estates of Ross and Kintyre were on the mainland and the Isles were enough for John to look after, so he had ceded all his lands of Ross and Kintyre to the Scottish king while Angus was still a small child.

Now that Angus was grown to manhood, he got it into his head that these estates belonged to the family and ought to be returned. In a very high-handed fashion he sent a petition to the king, demanding that the lands be given to him, as son of the Lord of the Isles, since his father did not care to be burdened with them. The king only laughed at Angus, and told him he had no intention of parting with the estates.

This put Angus into a fine temper. “Very well!” said he. “If the king is not disposed to give me back the land that is mine by right, I’ll take it back myself.”

The Lord of the Isles was greatly disturbed to hear that Angus threatened to seize Ross. Ever since he was born, Angus had been up to some mischief or other, and he showed no signs of improvement as he grew older. The lad had been no comfort at all to his father in the past, and now he could very well be a danger to him. If Angus marched into Ross with his men and tried to take it by force of arms, the Lord of the Isles was afraid the king would hold it against the father as well as the son.

He tried to reason with Angus, but he might as well have saved his breath to cool his porridge.

“You’ll be wise to remember, Angus,” said the Lord of the Isles. “It wasn’t the king that was asking for the lands. I gave them up to him of my own free will, to do him a favor, like. ’Twas all my own doing.”

“Then the more fool, you!” Angus replied angrily. “You gave up what you should have kept for me, since you did not want it yourself!”

“That is all as it may be,” said the Lord of the Isles. “It’s done now, and past undoing. And if you’ll take a word of advice from me, which most like you will not, you’d better put yourself on the good side of the king by letting the matter drop entirely. One of these days you’ll go too far, and what could you do against the

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.