The Battle of the Clans, also known as the Battle of the North Inch, North Inch, Perth Scotland, September 1396. A staged battle between the Chattan Confederation and the Clan Kay
Illustration by Alfred Pearse (1855-1933) from a history of the Scottish People published in 1893. Info from wiki: Immediately prior to the commencement of the battle, it was discovered that Clan Chattan were short one man with 29. Some claim the absentee's courage had deserted him; another source states he had fallen sick. Whatever the case, the Chattans refused to fight at anything but full strength, and the opposition didn't offer to even up the numbers. Just when it seemed that the battle would have to be abandoned, a substitute stepped forward by the name of Henry Smith. Also known by the names Hal o' the Wynd and the Gow-Chrom, Smith was a harness-maker and armourer in the town. "Small in stature, bandy-legged, but fierce," he was promised half a French crown of gold and the guarantee that he would be maintained for life if he survived. The offer was accepted, and the battle was given the go-ahead. The Battle of the North Inch (also known as the Battle of the Clans)[1] was a staged battle between the Chattan Confederation and the "Clan Kay" in September 1396. Thirty men were selected to represent each side in front of spectators that included King Robert III of Scotland and his court, on land that is now the North Inch park in Perth, Scotland. The Chattan Confederation killed all but one of their opponents, at a cost of 19 deaths on their own side, and were awarded the victory. It is not clear whom they were fighting: it may have been their traditional enemies Clan Cameron[2] or it may have been Clan Davidson, in an internal dispute for precedence in the Chattan line of battle in future campaigns against the Camerons. According to historian Alexander Mackintosh Shaw, Clan Chattan was composed of MacKintoshes, MacPhersons, Davidsons, MacGillivrays and Macbeans, while Marshall's History of Perth states that "it is generally accepted that the Clan Chattan were the but, no sept or clan is willing to claim kindred with the Clan Kay
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Photo credit: © Historical Images Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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