第 24 节
作者:西门在线      更新:2021-09-29 13:02      字数:9321
  nd he was made priest  of Kirkhill。  His successors to this day are called Frasers。  Of this priest is  descended Mr William Fraser and Mr Donald Fraser。〃 'Ancient MS。'
  Another writer describes the messengers sent to Rome as Mr Andrew Fraser; priest of Kintail; a learned and eloquent man; who took in his  company Dugal Mackenzie; natural son to Alexander Inrig; who was a  scholar。  The Pope entertained them kindly and very readily granted them  what they desired and were both made knights to the boot of Pope  Clement the VIII。; but when my knights came home; they neglected the  decree of Pope Innocent III。 against the marriage and consentrinate of all  the clergy or otherwise they got a dispensation from the then Pope  Clement VIII。; for both of them marriedSir Dugall was made priest of  Kintail and married nien (daughter) Dunchy Chaim in Glenmorriston。  Sir  Andrew likewise married; whose son was called  Donald Du Mac  Intagard; and was priest of Kirkhill and Chaunter of Ross。  His tack of the  vicarage of Kilmorack to John Chisholm of Comar stands to this day。  The present Mr William Fraser; minister of Kilmorack; is the fifth minister in  lineal and uninterrupted succession。〃 'Ardintoul MS。'
  Anderson; in his Account of the Family of Fraser; also says that 〃application was made to the Pope to sanction the second marriage; which  he did; anno 1491。〃  Sir James D。 Mackenzie of Findon (note; p。 19)  however says that he made a close search in the Vatican and the Roman  libraries but was unable to find trace of any document of legitmation。  Of Roderick; Sir Kenneth's fourth son; who was an exceedingly  powerful man; the following interesting story is toldHe was a man of  great strength and stature; and in a quarrell which took place between him  and Dingwall of Kildun; he killed the latter; and 〃that night abode with his  wife〃  Complaint was made to King James the Fifth; who commanded the  Baron of Kintail to give Rory up to justice。  His brother; knowing he could  not do so openly and by force without trouble and considerable danger;  went to Kintail professedly to settle his affairs there; and when he was about returning home he requested Rory to meet him at Glassletter; that he  might privately consult and discourse with him as to his present state。   Rory duly met him on the appointed day with fifty men of his 〃coalds;〃  the Macleays; besides ordinary servants and some Kintail men。  While the  two brothers went to discourse; they passed between the Kintail men and  the Macleays; who sat at a good distance from one another。  When  Mackenzie came near the Kintail men; he clapped Rory on the shoulder;  which was the sign between them; and Rory was immediately seized。  Gillecriost MacFhionnla instantly ran to the Macleays; who had taken to  their arms to relieve their Coald Rory Mor; and desired them in a friendly  manner to compose themselves; and not be rash; since Rory was seized  not by his enemies; but was in the hands of his own brother; and of those who had as great a kindness for him; and interest in him as they had  themselves; and further he desired them to consider what would be the  consequences; for if the least drop of blood was shed; Rory would be  immediately put to death; and so all their pains would be lost。  He thus  prevailed upon them to keep quiet。 In the meantime Rory struggled with  the Kintail men; and would not be taken or go along with them; until John Mor; afterwards agnamed Ian Mor nan Cas; brother to Gillecriost  MacFhionnla; took Rory by the feet and cast him down。  They then bound  him and carried him on their shoulders; until he consented to go along  with them willingly; and without further objection。  They took him to Ellandonnan; whence shortly after he was sent south to the King; where he had to take his trial。  He; however; denied the whole affair; and in the  absence of positive proof; the judges declined to convict him; but the  King; quite persuaded of his guilt; ordered him to be sent a prisoner to the  Bass Rock; with strict injunctions to have him kept in chains。  This order  was obeyed; and Rory's hands and legs were much pained and cut with the  irons。  The governor had unpleasant feuds with one of his neighbours;  which occasioned several encounters and skirmishes between their  servants; who came in repeatedly with wounds and bruises。  Rory;  noticing this to occur frequently; said to one of them; 〃Would to God that  the laird would take me with him; and I should then be worth my meat to him and serve for better use than I do with these chains。〃  This was  communicated to the governor; who sent for Rory and asked him if he  would fight well for him。  〃If I do not that;〃 said he; 〃let me hang in these  chains。〃  He then took his solemn oath that he would not run away; and  the governor ordered the servants to set about curing Rory's wounds with  ointments。  He soon found himself in good condition to fight; and an  opportunity was not long delayed。 The governor met his adversary  accompanied by his prisoner; who fought to admiration; exhibiting great  courage and enormous strength。  He soon routed the enemy; and the  governor became so enamoured of him that he was never after out of his  company whenever he could secretly have him unknown to the Court。
  About this time an  Italian came to Edinburgh; who challenged  the whole nation  to a wrestling match for a large sum of money。  One or two  grappled with him; but he disposed of them so easily that no one else  could be found to engage him。  The King was much annoyed at this; and  expressed himself strongly in favour of any one who would defeat the  Italian; promising to give him a suitable reward。  The governor of the  Rock having heard of this; thought it an excellent opportunity for his  prisoner to secure his freedom; and at the same time redeem the credit of the nation; and he informed the King that a prisoner committed to the Bass  by his Majesty if released of his irons would; in his opinion; match the  Italian。 The King immediately answered; 〃His liberty; with reward; shall he have if he do so。〃  The governor; so as not to expose his own intimate relations with and treatment of the prisoner; warily asked that time should  be allowed to cure him of his wounds; lest his own crime and Rory's  previous liberty should become known。  When sufficient time had elapsed  for this purpose a day was appointed; and the governor brought Rory to  Holyrood House to meet the King; who enquired if he 〃would undertake  to cast the Italian for his liberty?〃  〃Yes; sir;〃 answered Rory 〃it will be a  hard task that I will not undertake for that; but; sir; it may be; it will not be so easy to perform as to undertake; yet I shall give him a fair trial。〃   〃Well〃 said the King; 〃how many days will you have to fit yourself?〃   〃Not an hour〃 replied Rory。  His Majesty was so pleased with his  resolution that he immediately sent to the Italian to ask if he would accept  the challenge at once。  He who had won so many victories so easily  already did not hesitate to grapple with Rory; having no fear as to the  result。  Five lists were prepared。  The Italian was first on the ground; and  seeing Rory approaching him; dressed in his rude habit; without any of the usual dress and accoutrements; laughed loudly。  But no sooner was he in  the Highlander's grasp than the Italian was on his knee。 The King cried  with joy; the Italian alleged foul play; and made other and frivolous  excuses; but His Majesty was so glad of the apparent advantage in his  favour that he was unwilling to expose Rory to a second hazard。  This did not suit the Highlander at all; and he called out; 〃No; no; sir; let me try  him again; for now I think I know his strength。〃  His Majesty hearing this;  consented; and in the second encounter Rory laid firm hold of the  foreigner; pulled him towards him with all his might; breaking his back;  and disjointing the back…bone。  The poor fellow fell to the ground groaning with pain; and died two day's after。  The King; delighted with  Rory's prowess; requested him to remain at Court; but this he refused;  excusing himself on the ground that his long imprisonment quite unfitted  him for Court life; but if it pleased his Majesty he would send him his son;  who was better fitted to serve him。  He was provided with money and  suitable clothing by Royal command。  The King requested him to hasten  his son to Court; which he accordingly did。  This son was named  Murdoch; and His Majesty became so fond of him that he always retained  him about his person; and granted him; as an earnest of greater things to follow; the lands of Fairburn; Moy; and others adjoining; also the Ferry of  Scuideal; but Murdoch being unfortunately absent from the Court when  the King died; he missed much more which his Majesty had designed for him。 'Ardintoul and Cromartie MS。 Histories of the Mackenzies。'
  The following; told of Roderick and Kenneth; the fifth son; is also worth a placeKenneth was Chaunter of Ross; and perpetual Curate of  Coinbents; which vicarage he afterwards resigned into the hands of Pope  Paulus in favour of the Priory of Beauly。  Though a priest and in holy  orders he would not abstain from marriage; for which cause the Bishop  decided to have him deposed。