The first half of this century saw some warming up in temperatures from the previous 150 years, (even people swimming in the Rhine in January) but this changed significantly in the middle half with the Arctic Ice pack so far south that Eskimo's visited Scotland1..
Little Ice Age was significant through the last decades. Crop failure, storms, famine,
It was a time of significant unrest
During the unsettled times of the 'age of forays' (Linn nan Creach) following the suppression of the Lordship of the Isles in 1493, raiding and warfare were endemic within Highland society.
both the Earls of Argyll and Breadalbane (Glenorchy) were significant players in these activities, and required support and men from the lands of Argyll, including ours.
Raising the troops
Based on a land assessment or tax system, the Campbells and their allies agreed upon an efficient method of raising troops: one man for every merkland to serve for 8-10 or 20 days. This combined the obligations to a clan chief of hosting with those of feudal tenure (egGD112/39/7/3; 8/6).
The troops were organised under the three districts of Lorn, Mid-Argyll and Cowal and 120 men were sent in 1565 from each district on a monthly rotation (GD112/39/4/2). Most soldiers fought on foot, but the earl of Argyll did have some light cavalry which Grey Colin wanted to have ready to call upon in August 1565 (GD112/39/4/19).2
Thesis on Warfare in West highlands 1544 - 1615
1500
1501
1502
1503
1504
1505
1506
1507
1508
1509
1510
1511
1512
1513 James IV and thousands of Scots are killed at Flodden.
1514
1515
1516
1517
1518
1519
1520
1521
1522
1523
1524
1525
1526
1527
1528
1529
1530
1531
1532 Creation of the College of Justice and the Court of Session.
1533
1534
1535
1536
1537
1538 John Campbell apptd Prior to Ardchattan Priory (son of Sir John Campbell, 3rd son of 2nd Earl of Argyll)
1539
1540
1541
1542 Death of James V
1543
1544
1545
1546
1547
1548
1549
1550
1551
1552
1553
1554
1555
1556
1557
1558
1559 John Knox returns to Scotland from Geneva to promote Calvinism.
1560 Ardchattan Priory secularised - Prior John Campbell disperses Land to his family, Ardchattan itself going to his illegitemate son, John.3; Parliament legislates Protestant Reformation of the Church of Scotland.
1561 Mary, Queen of Scots returns from France.
1562
1563
1564 John Campbell sold his lands of Ardchattan to his brother Alexander, keeping only the monastry and gardens4
1565
1566
1567
1568 Mary, Queen of Scots flees to England following the defeat of her army at the Battle of Langside
1569
1570
1571
1572
1573
1574
1575
1576
1577
1578 James VI takes over government from his regent, James Douglas.
1579 Building of Barcaldine Castle started (date on coat of arms above entrance door)
1580
1581
1582
1583
1584
1585
1586
1587
1588
1589
1590 Pont Map of area drawn
1591
1592 Murder of John Campbell of Calder at Knippoch, Archibald Campbell 2nd of Lochnell brother was executed.
1593
1594 3 October Battle of Glenlivet - "considered at the time to be a religious battle between the Catholic forces of George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly, and Frances Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll, and the Protestant army of Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll".
1595
1596
1597
1598
1599
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