Clan Kennedy , presumably, is descended from one of the branches of the Celtic lords of Golloway, and by origin they are connected with the Carrick region in Ershire, in the extreme south-west of Scotland.
Kennedy | |
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Kennedy / Ceannaideach | |
Motto | fr Avise la fin |
Of the earth | Ayrshire |
Symbol | Oak |
Septa | Cassels, Cassillis, Cassell, Carrick, MacOurlick, MacUlric, Ulric |
Leader | Archibald Kennedy, 8th Marquis Aylsa |
Clan history
John Kennedy from Dunure and Cassillis married the heiress of the Earls of Carrick. His grandson, Sir James Kennedy (d. 1408), Earl Danyur, married Mary Stuart, daughter of King Robert III, and had two sons. As the grandchildren of the king, in 1457, the eldest, Gilbert (1406-1480) became the first Lord Kennedy, and the other, James (1408-1465), was appointed Bishop of St. Andrews and Lord Chancellor of Scotland and later became an adviser to James II. After the death of James II during the siege of Roxborough in 1460, Bishop Kennedy assisted his widow in administering the state and teaching the infant James III. He is also considered one of the founders of the University of St. Andrews.
After his death in 1465, his brother, Lord Kennedy, took part in the palace coup, as a result of which he became one of the regents until James III came of age. This, however, did not help him in his future career, but his grandson, 3rd Lord Kennedy, managed to win the favor of James IV and in 1509 received the title of Count Cassillis. However, in 1513 he died with his king in the Battle of Floden.
His successors also died a violent death: the 2nd Earl was killed by Campbell from Loudon, and the 3rd died mysteriously on his return from the wedding of Mary I Stewart and the French Dauphin. The fourth earl in his castle, Danyur, “grilled Abbot Crossragul” over slow fire to force him to give him the lands of the abbey.
The sixth Earl was also known for his ruthless mores. His wife fell in love with Johnny Faa, the gypsy king, also known as Sir John Faa of Dunbar (this title of James V granted to his ancestors), and they secretly escaped together. However, they were soon caught by an offended earl, who hung Johnny Faa in front of his wife, and put her herself in a dungeon for the rest of her life. The eighth earl had no children, and his title passed to Kennedy from Kalzin, who was descended from the younger son of the 3rd earl.
Archibald Kennedy, the 11th Earl, took part in the American War of Independence, and his son, the 12th Earl, received the title of Marquis Aylsa in 1806. Calzin Castle, the residence of the leaders of the Kennedy clan, was rebuilt in the 18th century by architect Robert Adam and now belongs to the National Trust of Scotland.