Lot 181
The Persecution of the Clan Gregor ‡
Rare Books, Maps & Manuscripts
Auction: 15 January 2014 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Manuscript commission, dated 21st November 1611, instructing the holding of regional courts to try those suspected of 'resetting', or protecting the interests of, members of the Clan Gregor, 455x340mm, title to verso, 8 small wormholes affecting a few letters and a few small holes along folds, again affecting some words, slight dust-soiling
Footnote
Provenance: Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, 1545-1631, ''Black Duncan of the Cowl", and subsequently part of the Breadalbane papers
Note: In April 1603, King James VI issued an edict proclaiming the name MacGregor to be 'abolished'. This came in the wake of years of the Clan Gregor having been restricted in their lands to Glenstrae by the Campbells, and subsequent inter-clan battles and killings. As of 1603, the Clan Gregor would be persecuted by law, and anyone bearing this name and refusing to renounce it would be put to death. Until the edict against the clan was repealed in 1774, it was illegal to be a MacGregor, or to protect or support the cause of those who held onto the name. The commission of November 21st 1611, however, makes it clear that some people in the Highlands had indeed been resetting (protecting or supporting the interests of) members of the clan, and the Privy Council were not happy with this. The commission resolves to make examples of those resetting the clan members and lists regional noblemen and dignitaries who are given the power to call courts to try the resetters and ensure that the sentences are carried out. The commission not only underlines how vilified the Clan Gregor was by the state, but also shows that by 1611 the suppression had not been as effective as hoped. There were those still prepared to protect the interests of the Clan Gregor. A printed copy of the commission can be found in Masson's The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, volume 9, 1889.