Clan Kennedy
- Not to be confused with the Irish Kennedy Clan.
Clan Kennedy | |||
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MacUalraig (Surname), Ceannaideach (Surname), Ceannaideach (Singular), Clann 'icUalraig (Collective) | |||
Crest: A dolphon naiant Proper | |||
Motto | Avise la fin | ||
Profile | |||
District | Ayrshire | ||
Plant badge | oak | ||
Chief | |||
The Most Hon. Archibald Kennedy | |||
The 8th Marquess of Ailsa | |||
Seat | Cassillis House | ||
Historic seat |
Dunure Castle Culzean Castle | ||
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Clan Kennedy is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.[2]
History
Origins of the clan
The Votadini were a tribe in Lothian and their chief, Cunedda, was sent by the Saxon leader, Vortigern, to establish settlements in order to resist Picto-Scottish sea raids in the south west of Scotland.[2] These settlements spread down the west coast as far as Wales.[2] Cunedda is rendered as Cinneidgh in the Celtic language, meaning ugly or grim-headed.[2] The name became associated with the district of Carrick, Scotland.[2]
During the early part of the reign of William the Lion, Gilbert Mac Kenedi witnessed a charter to Melrose Abbey granting lands in Carrick.[2] During the reign of Alexander II of Scotland Gillespie Kennedy is named in charters as the senechal of Carrick.[2]
Wars of Scottish Independence
The Kennedys claimed a blood kinship with the Earl of Carrick and supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence.[2] In 1372 Robert II of Scotland rewarded John Kennedy of Dunure as chief of his name and ballie of Carrick.[2]
15th and 16th centuries
In about 1457 John's direct descendant, Gillbert, was created Lord Kennedy.[2] He was also a regent to the infant James III of Scotland.[2] James Kennedy, brother of the first Lord Kennedy, was one of Scotland's best loved bishops.[2] James served briefly as High Chancellor of Scotland and was also Bishop of Dunkeld, and also later Archbishop of St Andrews.[2] In 1455 he founded St Salvator's College.[2]
Hugh Kennedy of Ardstinchar was a Scots mercenary who fought at the Siege of Orléans for Joan of Arc.[2] As a result Joan figures on the arms of Kennedy of Bargany.[2]
In 1509, Sir David Kennedy, the third Lord Kennedy was created Earl of Cassillis.[2] He was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.[2] The second Earl of Cassillis was murdered in 1527.[2] Gillbert Kennedy, the third Earl, was one of four Scottish commissioners who were poisoned on their return from the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots to the Dauphine of France in 1558.[2] The third Earl had inherited his title at the age of twelve and one of his first acts was to sign the death warrant of Patrick Hamilton, the first Scottish Protestant martyr.[2]
The Moray Kennedys were a branch of the clan who travelled north with the sister of the third Lord Kennedy, Janet Kennedy who had a son by James IV of Scotland, as part of the possession of the earldom of Moray.[2] The Moray Kennedys became a sept of the Clan Cameron.[2]
17th century and Civil War
In 1601 the Kennedy, Earls of Cassillis were involved in a feud against their relations, the Kennedy Lairds of Bargany.[3] The Earls of Cassillis were supported by the Clan Fergusson and the Laird of Bargany was killed.[3]
From 1649 to 1651, John Kennedy, sixth Earl of Cassillis was Lord Justice General of Scotland and a zealous Protestant.[2] He and his son, the seventh Earl, were both firm supporters of Parliament during the Civil War.[2] The Justice General also sat in Oliver Cromwell's House of Lords.[2] The Kennedys suffered for their beliefs but their estates remained largely intact.[2]
The Kennedy of Kermuck branch of the clan were hereditary constables of Aberdeen from at least 1413.[2] The Kennedys of Kermuck were outlawed when in 1652 the father and son of the family mortally wounded John Forbes of Watertown.[2]
18th and 19th centuries
When the Eighth Earl of Cassillis died there was a court dispute lasting three years to determine the succession.[2] The House of Lords found in favour of Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean.[2] In 1775 Thomas was succeeded by his brother David who commissioned Robert Adam to build Culzean Castle.[2]
Lieutenant General Sir Clark Kennedy served through the entire Peninsular War and in 1815 he commanded the centre squadron of the Royal Dragoons at the Battle of Waterloo.[2] At Waterloo he personally captured the eagle and colours of the 105th Regiment of French Infantry.[2] Sir Clark was from the Kennedy of Moray branch of the clan.[2]
Castles
- Cassillis House, near Maybole. Seat of the chiefs.
- Culzean Castle was a former seat of the chiefs.
- Dunure Castle in South Ayrshire was the original stronghold of the chiefs.
- Cruggleton Castle, Sorbie, Wigtownshire
- Dunduff Castle
- Greenan Castle in Ayr.
- Maybole Castle
Base of Scottish Family Tree
Here is the base of the family tree:
- John Kennedy of Dunure and Cassillis M Heiress of the Carrick Earls
- Sir Gilbert
- James M Princess Mary (2nd daughter of Robert III)
- Gilbert (Became Lord Kennedy in about 1457)
- .x James Kennedy (He served as High Chancellor of Scotland and was Bishop of Dunkeld, and later Archbishop of St Andrews. At St Andrews he founded St. Salvator's College in 1455 and is considered one of the founders of the University of St Andrews)
- Hugh Kennedy of Ardstinchar (Part of the Great Army of Scotland during the Hundred Years War and fought at the Battle of Bauge, and with Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orleans)
- Sir David (Third lord of Kennedy, created Earl of Cassilis in 1509)
- Hugh Kennedy of Ardstinchar (Part of the Great Army of Scotland during the Hundred Years War and fought at the Battle of Bauge, and with Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orleans)
- James M Princess Mary (2nd daughter of Robert III)
- Sir Gilbert
Scottish chief
- The Most Hon. Archibald Angus Charles Kennedy, 8th Marquess of Ailsa, who is also Earl of Cassillis, Lord Kennedy, Baron Ailsa and Chief of the Name and Arms of Kennedy, of Ailsa.[4]
- Arms: Scottish: Argent, a chevron Gules between three cross crosslets fichée Sable, all within a double tressure flory counterflory Gules.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Kennedy Society of North America, Septs
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 182 - 183.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 136 - 137.
- ↑ burkespeerage.com
External links
- Origin of the Irish Kennedy
- Kennedy Society of North America
- More history of the Kennedy clan and its links to the Royal Family
- The Kennedy Surname One-Name Study
- Kennedy Heraldry
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