Battle of Drumoak

The Battle of Drumoak, also known as the Battle of Keith's Muir, was a Scottish clan battle that took place at Drumoak, Aberdeenshire, Scotland in 1402. It was fought between the Clan Irvine whose chiefs were seated at Drum Castle and the Clan Keith whose chiefs were the Earls Marischal.

Battle of Drumoak
Part of Clan Irvine and Clan Keith feud

The River Dee at Drumoak
Date1402
Location
Drumoak, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Result Clan Irvine victory
Belligerents
Clan Irvine Clan Keith

Background
Drum Castle, seat of the chief of Clan Irvine
Dunnottar Castle, seat of the chief of Clan Keith

According to Leslie, at around 1393, the feud between the Irvines of Drum and Keiths (Marischal) raged most fiercely.[1] According to an old manuscript "the old feud was cruell betwixt the two families; as that Marischall's people burnt one of Drum's children in hot wort; and Drum burnt Hall-forest, and wasted sundry lands of Marischall's all in revenge of that wrong".[1]

The battle

A foray was made by the Keiths upon the lands of the Irvines, but the Irvines overtook the Keiths before they could secure their plunder by crossing the River Dee.[1] According to the New Statistical Account of Scotland a fight took place between the two clans on a moor on the north bank of the River Dee which is now known as Keith's Muir.[2] The Irvines were victorious and drove their enemies across a deep and rocky part of the channel which is now known as Keith's Pot,[2] where many of them were drowned.[1] The leader of the Keiths is said to have made it to a rock that protrudes above the water line but was killed by the Irvine's arrows and this rock is now known as The Keith Stone.[1]

Aftermath

By mediation of the King it was arranged for Irvine of Drum's eldest son to marry the daughter of Keith the Earl Marischal.[3] There was never any difference between the two families after this marriage, but Irvine apparently held some resentment as although he was polite to his lady he never consummated the marriage.[3] In 1411 Irvine of Drum took part in the Battle of Harlaw where he held command in the Lowland army and where he engaged in a duel with Maclean of Duart Castle in which both were killed.[2]

Archaeology

Arrowheads have been found at Keith's Muir (moor) and have been linked with the battle.[4]

References
  1. Leslie, Jonathan Forbes (1909). The Irvines of Drum and collateral branches. Aberdeen: Printed at the "Aberdeen Daily Journal" Office. pp. 28-32. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  2. "Drumoak". New Statistical Account of Scotland. XII. 1845. p. 881. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  3. Buchan, Peter (1820). An historical and authentic account of the ancient and noble family of Keith, Earls Marichal of Scotland : from their origin in Germany, down to 1778: including a narrative of the military atchievements of James Francis Edward Keith, Field-Marshal in Prussia, &c.; also, a full and circumstantial account of all the attainted Scottish noblemen, who lost their titles and estates in 1715 and 1745, for their adherence to the Stuart cause. Peterhead: Printed by P. Buchan; for Clark & Sangster. pp. 34-35. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  4. "Keith's Muir". canmore.org.uk. Canmore. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
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