Eóghan of Argyll

Eóghan MacDubhgaill (Anglicized: Ewen MacDougall, Ewen of Argyll or Ewen of Lorne) was a 13th century Scottish nobleman and warrior who was styled "King of the Isles", "Lord of Argyll". He was the son of Donnchadh, son of Dubhgall, son of Somhairle mac Gille Brighde.

In 1249, King Alexander II of Scotland lauched an expedition against Eóghan after the latter refused to renounce his homage to King Haakon IV of Norway. Alexander fell ill and died on this expedition, but Eóghan seems to have been temporarily deprived of his Argyll possessions. In 1250, Eóghan tried to obtain rulership of the Isle of Man, but was expelled by the inhabitants. He then travelled to Norway, hoping for recognition as King of the Isles. This attempt was unsuccessful. By 1255, King Henry III of England had secured a deal for Eóghan whereby the Eóghan regained Lorne and came into full Scottish allegiance. When Haakon campaigned against the Scots in 1263, Eóghan refused the Norwegian king service and remained a Scottish loyalist. After Haakon's defeat, Eóghan regained formal recognition as ruler of the Isles. His last recorded appearance is in 1268.

Eóghan's son Alexander followed him as Lord of Argyll. His daughter Mary married Magnus Olafsson, King of the Isle of Man, and secondly Maol Íosa II, Earl of Strathearn.

References

• Sellar, W. D. H., "MacDougall, Ewen, lord of Argyll (d. in or after 1268)", in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 , accessed 5 Dec 2006