Eachann Mór Maclean (1497–1568) or Hector Mor Maclean, or Hector Maclean the Great, was the 12th Chief of Maclean. Mór or Mor translates as ''great'' when added to a name in

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...

. He was the 8th laird of

Duart Castle Duart Castle, or ''Caisteal Dhubhairt'' in Scottish Gaelic, is a castle on the Isle of Mull, beside the Sound of Mull off the west coast of Scotland, within the council area of Argyll and Bute. The castle dates back to the 13th century and is ...

Biography

He was born in 1497 in Scotland. Lachlan Cattanach Maclean, 11th Chief was succeeded as Chieftain and

Laird of Duart Duart Castle, or ''Caisteal Dhubhairt'' in Scottish Gaelic, is a castle on the Isle of Mull, beside the Sound of Mull off the west coast of Scotland, within the council area of Argyll and Bute. The castle dates back to the 13th century and is ...

by his son Eachann, better known as Hector Mor Maclean, or Hector the Great, in 1527. In 1533 his Scottish galleys captured a large English ship, the '' Mary Willoughby'', which then joined the

navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral zone, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and ...

of James V of Scotland. He is described by the seanachaidhs as being good, kind, affectionate, and brave, an accomplished politician and an approved warrior; and that in him the clan realized all it desired in a noble chieftain. To most of his vassals he granted extended leases, by way of encouragement in the improvement of lands and the building of more comfortable dwellings. He lived altogether, while permitted to do so by his troublesome neighbors with which he was surrounded, more like a noble of modern times than a feudal baron. He made many improvements on the demesne of Duard; and was the founder of that noble addition, the Great Tower, to

. His alliance was courted by many of the powerful lords; and the king thought it of importance to secure his loyalty by calling him into his council. Hence, we find him taking his seat in parliament as one of the lords of the kingdom. In private life his character was above reproach, and in his warlike pursuits he acted upon that system which had legal sanction. Hector Mor Maclean died about the year 1568.

Marriage and children

Hector Mor Maclean married Mary MacDonald of Islay and the Glens, daughter of Alexander MacDonald, 5th of Dunnyveg, by whom he had two sons and seven daughters: *

Hector Og Maclean, 13th Chief Hector Og Maclean, or Eachann Óg Maclean in Scottish Gaelic, or Hector Maclean the Younger (c. 1540–1573) was the 13th Chief of Clan MacLean. At the death of his father, Hector Mor Maclean, 12th Chief, he became clan chief but lived only five ...

, his heir and successor. * John Dubh Maclean of Morvern, predecessor of the family of

Kinlochaline Castle Kinlochaline Castle is a 15th-century Scottish tower house on the Ardtornish estate in Morvern in the Highland council area. It is also known as Caisteal an Ime (Scottish Gaelic for ''Castle of Butter'') because a Lady of Clan MacInnes, Dubh Ch ...

. *Marian Maclean, married to Norman MacLeod of Harris. *Mary Maclean, married to Donald MacDonald of Sleat. *Catherine Maclean I, died unmarried. *Catherine Maclean II, was married four times: firstly to Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll; secondly to Calvagh O'Donnell, Lord of Tyrconnell; thirdly to Shane O'Neill, Prince of Ulster; and fourthly to John Stewart of Appin."Mercenaries and Paid Men: the Mercenary Identity in the Middle Ages", by John France, published 2008. Page 377. Accesse
here
17 Dec. 2017 through Google Books. Catherine was a high-spirited woman, and was distinguished for her beauty and culture *Giles (or Silis) Maclean, married to Tormod MacLeod, 13th Chief (c.1510 - c.1585). She died in 1568. *Una Maclean, married to Cameron of Lochiel. *Janet Maclean, married to Allan MacDonald, 9th of Clanranald.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maclean, Hector 1568 deaths Hector 1497 births