Kermac Macmaghan

Kermac Macmaghan
Kermac's name as it appears on folio 121v of AM 45 fol (Codex Frisianus): "Kiarnakr son Makamals".

Kermac Macmaghan (fl. 1262–1264) was a thirteenth-century Scottish nobleman. In 1262, he is stated to have aided William I, Earl of Ross in a particularly vicious attack in the Hebrides. The assault itself is recorded by a thirteenth-century Scandinavian saga, and was likely conducted on behalf of Alexander III, King of Scotland, who wished to incorporate Isles into the Scottish realm. The following year, Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway launched an expedition into the Isles to reassert Norwegian authority. The latter's campaign proved to be an utter failure, and after his departure and death the same year, the Scots forced the submission of the leading magnates of the Isles. In 1264, Kermac is recorded to have received compensation for services rendered. Fifteenth-century pedigrees concerning Clan Matheson (Clann Mhic Mhathain) and Clan Mackenzie (Clann Choinnich) appear to indicate that Kermac is identical to a certain Coinneach mac Mathghamhna, ancestor of both these clans.

In the mid point of the thirteenth century, Alexander II, King of Scots (died 1249), and his son and successor, Alexander III, King of Scots (died 1286), made several attempts to incorporate the Hebrides into the Scottish realm. Forming the Kingdom of the Isles, these islands were a component of the far-flung Norwegian commonwealth. The independence of the Islesmen, and the lurking threat of their nominal overlord, the formidable Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway (died 1263), constituted a constant source of concern for the Scottish Crown.