Hector Mor Maclean, 12th Chief
| Hector Mor Maclean, 12th Chief | |
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| File:Hector Mor Maclean, 12th Chief wax seal from 1545.png
Hector Mor Maclean, 12th Chief wax seal from 1545
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| 12th Chief of Clan Maclean 8th Laird of Duart |
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| In office 1523-1568 (45 years) |
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| Preceded by | Lachlan Cattanach Maclean, 11th Chief, father |
| Succeeded by | Hector Og Maclean, 13th Chief, son |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1497 Duart Castle |
| Died | 1568 |
Eachuinn Mór Maclean (1497–1568) or Hector Mor Maclean, or Hector Maclean the Great, was the 12th Chief of Maclean. Mór or Mor translates as great when added to a name in Scottish Gaelic.[1] He was the 8th laird of Duart Castle.
Biography
Lachlan Cattanach Maclean, 11th Chief was succeeded as chieftain and Lord of Duart by his son Eachann, better known as Hector Mor Maclean, or Hector the Great, in 1527. He is described by the seanachaidhs as being good, kind, affectionate, and brave, an accomplished politician and an approved warrior; and that in him the clan realized all it desired in a noble chieftain. To most of his vassals he granted extended leases, by way of encouragement in the improvement of lands and the building of more comfortable dwellings. He lived altogether, while permitted to do so by his troublesome neighbors with which he was surrounded, more like a noble of modern times than a feudal baron. He made many improvements on the demesne of Duard; and was the founder of that noble addition to Duart Castle called the Great Tower. His alliance was courted by many of the powerful lords; and the king thought it of importance to secure his loyalty by calling him into his council. Hence, we find him taking his seat in parliament as one of the lords of the kingdom. In private life his character was above reproach, and in his warlike pursuits he acted upon that system which had legal sanction.[2]
Eachuinn Mor Maclean married Mary MacDonald of Islay and the Glens, daughter of Alexander MacDonald, 5th of Dunnyveg, by whom he had two sons and seven daughters:[2]
- Hector Og Maclean, 13th Chief, his heir and successor
- John Dubh Maclean of Morvern, predecessor of the family of Kinlochaline Castle
- Marian Maclean, married to Norman MacLeod of Harris
- Mary Maclean, married to Donald MacDonald of Sleat
- Catherine Maclean I, died unmarried
- Catherine Maclean II, first to Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll, and secondly to John Stewart of Appin. Catherine was a high-spirited woman, and was distinguished for her beauty and culture
- Julian Maclean, married first to Calvagh O'Donnell of Tirconnell, and secondly to Shane O'Neill, Prince of Ulster. She died in 1585.
- Una Maclean, to Cameron of Lochiel
- Janet Maclean, to MacDonald of Keppoch.
Hector Mor died about the year 1568.[2]
References
This article incorporates text from A history of the clan Mac Lean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period: including a genealogical account of some of the principal families together with their heraldry, legends, superstitions, etc, by John Patterson MacLean, a publication from 1889 now in the public domain in the United States.
