The Forgotten ’45: Donald Dubh's Rebellion in an Archipelagic Context

Citation

Cathcart A (2012) The Forgotten ’45: Donald Dubh's Rebellion in an Archipelagic Context. Scottish Historical Review, 91 (2), pp. 239-264. https://doi.org/10.3366/shr.2012.0101

Abstract
The final rebellion of Donald Dubh, heir to the forfeited MacDonald lordship of the Isles, is usually examined within the context of Highland rebellions that occurred in the half century after forfeiture. The factors that motivated the Islesmen to rise in rebellion in 1545 were, however, multi-faceted and can only be fully understood by placing the rising in a wider context, which considers national and archipelagic events. The discussion that follows explores the reasons why the Islesmen, almost unanimously, entered into agreement with Henry VIII to attack Scotland from the west and why this endeavour failed. At the same time, the article highlights Henry's recognition of the strategic importance of the west which led him into alliance with Donald Dubh and his supporters.

Keywords
History

Journal
Scottish Historical Review: Volume 91, Issue 2

People

Professor Alison Cathcart

Professor, History