Servant to a French King ?

Move Over William Tell

Bruiser

The Reverend Charles McHardy's Letter

M^cHardy vs Grant feud 1537

The Soldier's Curse

Family Coat of Arms ?

Freeholders

[Factual Note: David Bruce, David II was dead in 1371 and succeeded by Robert Steward, Robert II, who lasted until 1389].

Arms - Gules, a dexter hand couped fesse ways, grasping a dagger, argent, point downward, between two mullets, or, crest a mullet of the third. Motto "Tout Hardi".

Many legends assert that the family are sprung from the Macleod clan; but this is wrong, as the arms are different. MacLeod carries, or a castle triple towered, and embattled argent; masoned sable, windows and port gules. (Nisbet's Heraldry, vol, 1. p263).

At p36. There is a traditional tale yet told in the country, of the feats and corporal strength of a peasant named MacHardy, and of the enormous weight s he freed from the ground. The Earl of Mar had invited over from England the most celebrated pugilist of the day, to afford sport to the family, and to the gentlemen of the country; and publicised by edict, that a severe penalty or fine should be laid on the country unless a man could be found to combat this bruiser, when MacHardy was fixed on. At the appointed day, MacHardy appeared at Kildrummy, clothed in flannel jerkin, kilt and bonnet, on which the bully laughed immoderately at his grotesque appearance, and even spurned him with contempt. Every thing in preparation, and the ring formed, the combatants set to, but at the first and second round the bully laid his opponent to the ground, and seemed quite unconcerned, when at the third round, MacHardy being warmed, rushed on his antagonist in an attitude of prowess, and almost buried his head in the belly of the pugilist, then with his right hand, grasped his side with such firmness, that he broke several ribs, and brought them along with his hand, which he held aloft the bleeding contents, while his countenance beamed with a savage wildness at victory.

At p36. There is a traditional tale yet told in the country, of the feats and corporal strength of a peasant named MacHardy, and of the enormous weight s he freed from the ground. The Earl of Mar had invited over from England the most celebrated pugilist of the day, to afford sport to the family, and to the gentlemen of the country; and publicised by edict, that a severe penalty or fine should be laid on the country unless a man could be found to combat this bruiser, when MacHardy was fixed on. At the appointed day, MacHardy appeared at Kildrummy, clothed in flannel jerkin, kilt and bonnet, on which the bully laughed immoderately at his grotesque appearance, and even spurned him with contempt. Every thing in preparation, and the ring formed, the combatants set to, but at the first and second round the bully laid his opponent to the ground, and seemed quite unconcerned, when at the third round, MacHardy being warmed, rushed on his antagonist in an attitude of prowess, and almost buried his head in the belly of the pugilist, then with his right hand, grasped his side with such firmness, that he broke several ribs, and brought them along with his hand, which he held aloft the bleeding contents, while his countenance beamed with a savage wildness at victory.

....There was much strife between the Grants and the M^cHardys. On 1st January 1537 the Grants and M^cHardys signed a treaty of peace at Abergeldie. That same year M^cHardy of Corgarff was forfeit for killing the Laird of Grant. By order of the Marquis of Huntly the order was raised.

Sir George MacKenzie writing in 1648 of the heads of families states that M^cHardy of Corgarff is the head of the family, and he further states "They seem to have lost these lands of late".....

M^cHardie, Scotland, the sun in splendour or, Luceo non uro, plate 162.2

M^cHardie and McHardy, Scotland, an arm in armour embowed weilding in the hand a scimitar all ppr. , Tout Hardi, plate 196.10.

War Cry :- "Ca'm-na-cuimhe" ( Cairn of Rememberence )

Badge :- "Aiteann (Juniper) or Lus nam braoleag ( Red Whortleberry ).

The MacHardys are a sept of the famous "Siol Torcul", who, early in the dawn of Scottish History, are found, hardy Norsemen as they were, holding by their swords large portions of lands in the north and west and the islands of Scotland; and long ere the entry of their sept of MacGillechalum to Raasay, others of their kith had held that isle and other lands pertaining to it.

Their traditions and evidences go to show that when Malcolm Canmore [see the William Tell story] was in the North quelling rebellious Northern Chiefs, he took hostages south with him, and, as was customary, the hostages were placed for safe custody in charge of some of his vassals in the south. From the MacLeods in Raasay he took hostages for their future good behaviour. These hostages he placed in Braemar, in Aberdeenshire, where on account of their skills as archers, they were chosen to be put into the kings bodyguard, in which they distinguished themselves as archers and for bravery and endurance, and then came to be called "Cruadalach" or "Hardy", and being ruddy-haired, also as the "MacHardy Buidhies", or yellow (headed) MacHardys.

Between 1388 [Note: 1388 appears again] and 1700 the "Buidhe" MacHardys were possessed of lands, held of the Earl of Mar, at Crathie, Crathie Naird, and Daldownie, in the parish of Crathie; the Muiress, in the Parish of Tulloch; and the estates of Kinbittack and Corgarff, some of which they held up to 1715, when the estates of Mar were forfeited. They fought for the Stuarts in 1715 and 1745.

There were in Strathdon several families of the name MacHardy, but of a different race from the "Buidhies", and they were called the "Dubh" or "Black" (headed) MacHardys. There were some intermarriages with the "Buidhies". The "Dubhs" claim a French origin, and this would not be inappropriate to the second crest here mentioned.

When what was known as the Press Gang Act was first attempted to be enforced in the Highlands, two Mar MacHardys (grandfathers of men now alive ) were attempted to be impressed but resisted . One of them went to MacLeod in Skye and appealed to him, as his chief, for protection, and MacLeod, being in favour with the Government at the time, was glad to help the MacHardys, and procured their freedom from imprisonment.

There are many entries extant in old church register books of the last two centuries showing that these MacHardys were often styled "MacLeod alias MacHardy Buie". The Rev. Wm. MacHardy, who died in 1809, a very old man, at Braemar, frequently signed himself "Wm. MacLeod". Many of his relations, all MacHardys, live still there and in Corgarff.

The last recognised head of this family was Donald MacHardy "Buie" of Daldownie who died in 1870. He held to the MacLeod ancestry, and he preserved with great care the tartan which his forefathers had worn and used in the risings of '15 and '45, and which is still in existence, and corresponds with the sett given in the Vestiarium Scoticum. The "Bhuidhe" MacHardys claim that by them, and by them only, was their tartan preserved. [Note: The lands of Crathie were disponed to John McHardy in liferent by John Farquharson of Allargue on 25th August 1665, Allargue is in Corgarff. John Farquharson was of the Achriachan Farquharson family, (Auchriachan is close to where the village of Tomintoul now stands in Banffshire).]

And MacHardy crests of which two appear are :-

1) The rising sun, with the motto, "Luceo non uno"

2) Arm in armour embowed, in hand a scimitar, with the motto, "Tout hardi".

The former is used by the "Buidhe" MacHardys, and is identical with the crest and the motto of the Gillechalums (MacLeods) of Raasay. This taken with the similarity of tartan and well known traditions (vide "Buidhe" leading clansmen to put their descent from MacLeods of Raasay beyond doubt.

The MacHardys are still to be found resident in Mar, Upper Deeside, Corgarff, Glenlivet, and Tomintoul. On the break-up of the Mar estates they, according to the clan system, appear as clansmen under different other chiefs, on whose estates they lived as tenants and retainers. A striking proof of this was seen in about 1865, when Queen Victoria commanded portraits of a representative of each Highland clan to be painted, and when the late William MacHardy, Mar Forest, was taken as representing the MacDuff Clan; his brothers son Charles of Strathdon, the Clan Forbes of Newe; his sisters son, James Bowman, the clan Farquharson; another nephew, Charles Duncan, the Royal Stewart clan; a cousin, Donald Gordon, the clan Gordon, and three more clansmen represented severally three different other clans. And it is worth noting that, to this day, in the hair and other physical conformation of living members of the clan, the tale of the Norse ancestry proclaims itself most strikingly; and further, that at this day many descendants of the hardy Norsemen, rising above great local disadvantages, are found to have raised themselves to prominent offices in the ruling of Scotland and Scottish affairs.

The Braemar Highlands, like most far-spreading mountain regions, have many a tale and tradition of ancient strife, with wierd stories of the supernatural, such as the winter terrors of a mountain land may well suggest. A long evening on my return to the charming inn at Crathie was spent in reading these tales of olden times. I was amused to find that the district had, like other mountain countries of the west and east, it's William Tell. Here it is.

"A young man named M^cLeod [Note: McLeod again] had been hunting one day in the Royal Forest. A favourite hound of the king's having attacked M^cLeod, was killed by him. The king soon heard of the slaughter of his favourite, and was exceedingly angry - so much so, that M^cLeod was condemned to death.

"The gibbet was erected on Craig Choinnich, i.e. Kenneth's Craig. As there was less of justice than revenge in the sentence, little time was permitted ere it was carried into execution. The prisoner was led out by the north gate of the castle. The king, in great state, surrounded by a crowd of nobles, followed in procession. Sorrowing crowds of the people came after, in wondering amazement. As they moved slowly on, an incident occurred which arrested universal attention. A young woman with a child in her arms came rushing through the crowd, and, throwing herself before the king, pleaded to spare her husband's life, though it should be at the expense of all they possessed.

"Her impassioned entreaties were met with silence. Malcolm was not to be moved from his purpose of death. Seeing that her efforts to move the king were useless, she made her way to her husband, and throwing her arms around him, declared that she would not leave him - she would die with him.

"Malcolm was somewhat moved by the touching scene. Allen Durward, noticing the favourable moment, ventured to put in a suggestion that it was a pity to hang such a splendid archer.

"A splendid archer, is he ?" replied the king; "then he shall have his skill tried."

"So he ordered that M^cLeod wife and child should be placed on the opposite side of the river; something to serve as a mark was to be placed on the child's head. If M^cLeod succeeded in hitting the mark, without injuring his wife or child, his life was to be spared, otherwise the sentence was to be carried into immediate execution. Accordingly (so the legend goes) the young wife and her child were put across the river, and placed on Tomghainmheine; according to some, a little farther down the river, near where a boat-house once stood. The width of the Dee was to be the distance separating M^cLeod from his mark.

"He asked for a bow and two arrows; and having examined each with the greatest care, he took position. The eventful moment came; the people gathered around him and stood in profound silence. On the opposite side of the river his wife stood, the central figure of a crowd of eager bystanders, tears glistening on her cheeks as she gazed alternately at her husband and child in dumb emotion.

"M^cLeod took aim; but his body shook like an aspen leaf in the evening breeze. This was a trial for him far harder than death. Again he placed himself in position; but he trembled to such a degree that he could not shoot, and, turning to the king, who stood near, he said in a voice scarcely articulate in its suppressed agony, 'This is hard'.

"But the king relented not: so the third time he fell into the attitude; and as he did so, almost roared, 'This is hard !' Then, as if all his nervousness and unsteadiness had escaped through the cry, he let the arrow fly. It struck the mark. The mother seized her child, and in transport of joy seemed to devour it with kisses; while the pent-up emotion of the crowd found vent through a loud cry of wonder and triumph, which repeated itself again and again as the echoes rolled slowly away among the neighbouring hills.

"The king now approached M^cLeod, and, after confirming his pardon, inquired why he, so sure of hand and keen of sight, had asked for two arrows ?

"Because', replied M^cLeod, 'had I missed the mark, or hurt my wife or child, I was determined not to miss you .'

"The king grew pale, and turned away as if undecided what to do. His better nature prevailed; so he again approached M^cLeod and with kindly voice and manner told him he would receive him into his bodyguard, and that he would be well provided for.

"'Never,' answered the undaunted Celt. 'After the painful proof to which you have just put my heart, I could never love you enough to serve you faithfully.'

"The king in amazement cried out, 'Thou art a Hardy ! and as Hardy thou art, so Hardy thou shalt be'. M^cLeod went under the appellation of Hardy, while his descendants were termed the MacHardys, Mac being the Gaelic word for son.

"'Why, that is a corruption of the story of William Tell,' I rather uncourteously remarked, on hearing for the first time this MacHardy legend. "The old lady who had just related it retorted with considerable warmth, and ended by asking when the story of William Tell took place.

"About the year 1307,' I replied.

"'There,' she said, with such an air of triumph, "I thought that: the William Tell story happened in 1307, and ours in 1060 or thereabouts, more than 200 years before. Na, na ! our story is nae corruption of William Tel l, though William Tell's may weel be a corruption of ours.'"

[Note: Malcolm III or Ceann Mor 1058-93.]

DEAR SIR¾ My attention has been drawn to a paragraph in your Celtic Monthly of February last to the effect that Mr. Macbain of Rainings School, Inverness, has suggested that the name M’Hardy may be derived from the Pictish "Gart Naigh," pronounced Gratney, changed to M’Cartney, and ultimately before 1587 into M’Hardy. Mr. Macbain is further represented as saying that the late Donald M’Hardy of Daldownie, who died in 1870, claimed to be the head of the M’Hardys and that he owned no other chief than The Mackintosh.

A statement such as this is very misleading, besides being unfair to the M’Hardy clan if allowed to pass unchallenged, and as a humble member of the sept, hailing from Braemar, I beg to state that Mr. Macbain is in error.

The M’Hardy clan is undoubtedly a branch sept of the ancient Clan M’Leod of Rasay (now extinct), and the old Braemar tradition is that while King Malcolm Canmore was subduing some of his rebellious chiefs in the north, he took captive to Braemar several clansmen of whom were M’Leods as a guarantee for future good behaviour. The "Legends of the Braes o’ Mar" gives the following account of how the name was changed to M’Hardy, viz:¾ "Malcolm Canmore felt and enormous fancy to the taming of a huge monster called the ‘Tad-Losgainn’ (the toad-frog); others say a wild-boar; and the people round about were taxed, each in turn, a cow or bullock, for its maintenance. It is said to have lived about the rocks of the River Cluny, on which the castle was built. If it could be possible to account for its being there, the name and description of the monster would indicate a crocodile very exactly. Some years previous to this time, a poor man, a M’Leod, has established his household gods in a cottage on the castle plain. He died, leaving his widow with an only son, who grew up a sturdy youth. This youth, imitating the fashions of his father, married, and in due time has a son. When the widow’s turn to supply the tax in favour of the monster drew near, having but one cow and few merks to purchase another one, she cried out in sorrow and rage¾ ’Nach truagh nach eil a h-aon de shiol Thorcuill beo, a mharbhadh an Tad-Losgainn’ (‘What a pity there is not one of the Siol Torquil alive to kill the Tad-Losgainn’).

This hint of degeneracy from his father’s valour fire the young man’s blood, and on the morning for the surrender of his mother’s cow, it was found the Tad-Losgainn had bid adieu to the land of the living¾ not, by any means, of his own accord. The King frowned and fumed and stormed, and doomed the murderer of his monster to death. A gibbet, high and strong, awaited him on Craig Choinnich. He was lead out by the north gate. The King attended in state. A crowd of nobles surrounded him, and the poor country-folks hung timidly on the flanks. Just at that moment the procession was to start forward, a woman, with an infant in her arms, rushed shrieking through the crowd. She threw her arms around M’Leod.

‘Spare him, spare him,’ cried she, turning to the King, ‘and take everything we have,’ When the soldiers offered to separate them, she clung to him more firmly. ‘My love,’ said the poor fellow, ‘go in peace, and my blessing go with you.’ ‘No, no,’ exclaimed she frantically, ‘I will not leave you; I will die with you.’ Malcolm was moved to compassion for the wife’s sake, but he hated the fellow. ‘It’s a pity,’ said our friend Allan Durward, ‘ to hang such a splendid archer.’ ‘A splendid archer, eh, Allan?’ replied the King; ‘I’ve an idea.’ He had indeed a few, and no wonder, with such a head. The procession wended slowly down to the Dee. Arrived on the nearer bank, the young wife, with her child in her arms, was put across on horseback, and placed on Tom Ghainmheine. M’Leod must pierce with an arrow an apple placed on the head of his son in his wife’s arms. The width of the Dee must separate him from his mark. He asked for a bow and three arrows, all of which he examined with the greatest care. Of the spare two, one he took between his teeth, and the other he stuck into his side belt. He aimed, but his body trembled like the leaves of an aspen, and he drew back, crying out, ‘This is hard!’ Again he placed himself, but he trembled still. He turned round to the King, and repeated in a low voice, ‘This is hard!’ There was no relenting in the King’s face. For the third time he fell into the attitude. A voice, hoarse, and lowly distinct like the roll of distant thunder uttered ‘This is hard!’ Everyone of the spectators trembled and withheld their breath. His son stretched out his arms on the opposite bank, and the mother covered her eyes with her hand. His sinews stiffened like tightened cords, and stood out from the surrounding flesh like willow-wands: the arrow parted like a ray of sunshine¾ the apple fell from the child's head in two equal parts; the mother seized the child with a cry of delight, pressed him to the bosom, and covered him with kisses. The murmur of applause rose into a shout of triumph. The King approached, and seeing the last traces of agony passing from the face of M’Leod—‘Why,’ demanded he, ‘did you ask for three arrows, you are so sure of hand and keen of sight? ‘Because if I had missed the apple, or hurt my wife or son, I was determined not to miss you.’ The King turned pale; but imaging that a man like this would perhaps be as valuable to him as the Tad-Losgann—‘Friend,’ said he, softening his voice,’ I receive you into my bodyguard, in which you will be well provided for.’ ‘I can never love you enough,’ answered the undaunted Celt, ‘to fight in your defence, after the painful proof you have put my heart to.’ The King turned away in amazement, crying out, ‘Hardy thou art, and Hardy thou shalt be.’ The descendants of his M’Leod were called Hardy’s son, which in Gaelic is MacHardy."

The version here given has a resemblance to Tell’s exploit, still this origin is so strongly corroborated by the fact that the Clan M’Hardy crest and motto are identical with the crest and motto on the ancient arms of the M’Leods of Rasay, and the M’Hardy Buies, as they were termed of old, have always adhered rigidly to this version; and they can trace their descent back in Braemar to a very remote period.

There are many instances to be seen in the old R. C. Registers of how Macleod alias M’Hardy Buies are entered. Notably—the Rev. Wm. M’Leod alias M’Hardy (a near relation of my grandfather), who was priest for many years at Tornahaish, Corgarff, about 1745, and was afterwards priest in Braemar, in which latter place he died in 1809, at a very old age; and he almost invariably signed his name Wm. M’Leod. Many of his relations (M’Hardys) are still living in Braemar and Corgarff districts.

There is, however, another account given of the origin of M’Hardy which is believed by some, viz. That the name originated from a Frenchman Hardie to whom King David II. granted certain lands in Corgarff about the middle of the 14th century. There was no doubt several families in Strathdon who were called M’Hardy, alias Dhu or black M’Hardys, but they were a different race from the M’Hardy Buies; some of them became connected with the Buies through marriage. These M’Hardys alias Dhu, I believe, claimed their descent from the French origin.

In 1715 the M’Hardys and all the Braemar men rose to a man under the Earl of Mar’s Standard, the Laird of Inverey being Colonel, and his brother, James of Balmoral, aide-de-camp to the Earl of Mar. In 1745 the Braemar, Strathdee, and Glengairn men, including the M’Hardys, rose with the Farquharsons, who were then the leading clan in the district, and those of Strathdon, Corgarff, Glenlivat, Tomintoul, etc., under Lord Lewis Gordon and the Laird of Glenbucket, and not under The Mackintosh as erroneously stated—see position of the Highlands clans at Culloden in "Historical Geography of Clans of Scotland," by F. B. Johnston, Esq., F.R.G.S., etc., and Colonel Robertson, F.S.A.S., Edinburgh—it being a well-known rule amongst the clans that where the powerful or leading clan of a district had to be raised all the smaller adjoining clans and tenants bound themselves to join in with the leading clan for their own safety and protection. After 1715 the Earl of Mar’s estates were forfeited, and M’Hardys and other tenants who hard formerly held lands off the Earls of Mar had in 1745 become tenants of Farquharson of Invercauld and others. In no case can it be shown that the M’Hardys owned Mackintosh as their chief, so that Mr. Macbain’s statement that Donald M’Hardy of Daldownie owned no other chief than Mackintosh is incorrect.

That M’Hardy of Daldownie, claimed to be chief or head of the M’Hardys is perfectly true. Daldownie and my father were brothers’ sons, and consequently he was well known to myself and brothers, five of whom are still living. He was also uncle to Mr. Peter Coutts of Ballater, who resided with him from 1827 till his (Daldownie’s) death in 1870, and being now 84 years of age and in full possession of his faculties can testify, with my family, that M’Hardy, Daldownie, never owned Mackintosh as his chief; but that he adhered most rigidly to the M’Leod-M’Hardy tradition, both as to sept and clan tartan. The M’Hardy clan tartan was worn and preserved by the M’Hardy Buies and by them only.

There is no doubt that this Donald M’Hardy’s father, Donald, and his grandfather Alister Mòr, alias "Ballochbuie", were recognised leaders, as several stirring tales are related of this "Ballochbuie" when acting in that capacity with the Braemar men on occasion when raids or creachs wer made upon the people in that district. His success restoring the creachs to their lawful owners was often told.

This Alister, "Ballochbuie," three sons, viz. (1) Donald, of whom are descended the family of Daldownie and the family of John M’Hardy at Invercauld; (2) Alister of Auchallter, of whom are descended my own family and the family of the late Alister M’Hardy of Newe, Strathdon (who was leader of the Lonach men for upwards of 40 years), and others; (3) James of Inverey, of whom are descended the M’Hardys of Viewmount, Braemar, and that of Braemore and Plockton, Ross-shire, and others. Ballochbuie had a brother, George of Dalchork, who had two sons: (1) Donald of Gleneye, of who are descended the M’Hardys of Tomintoul and Croftmicken, etc.; (2) Charles fo Dalvorar, of who are descended a M’Hardy family in Dundee.

Another important fact which shows that M’Hardys owned M’Leod as their chief is that when the Press Gang Act, as it was called in the Highlands, became law (which compelled anyone to enter the army if called upon, even against their will), my grandfather and his brother Donald, "Daldownie," happened to be in Perth. Donald had gone out early in the morning for a stroll, and was met on the old bridge by twelve men of the press gang, who demanded him in the King’s name to join them. On his refusal an attempt was made to compel him by force, which resulted in a serious melee. Daldownie having succeeded in making his escape made a hasty retreat over the hills of Mar, arriving at Gordon’s of Abergeldie the same evening, a distance of 60 miles. The Dragoons, who were in hot pursuit, failed to capture him, and Daldownie was put to the horn as an outlaw. On this fact becoming known in Mar, the Braemar men rose in rebellion against this obnoxious Act, and were led by James of Inverey, who marched down to Crathie and took possession of and destroyed all the official papers found there relating to the Press Gang Act. On continuing their march towards Aboyne Castle, with the view of soliciting the Marquis of Huntly’s influence with the Government to have this offensive Act cancelled, they were intercepted by the Dragoons who had been communicated with. They met on the Moor of Dinnet, and the result was that James of Inverey and John Bowman, leaders, etc, were taken prisoners and lodged in Aberdeen gaol. On my grandfather learning what had occurred, he forthwith went direct to the Chief of the Clan M’Leod (whom he owned as his chief), and laid the whole of the facts of the case before him. M’Leod, "Chief", assured him of his sympathy and support, and being at the time in favour with the Crown, used his influence with the Government, and consequence was that James of Inverey and Bowman, etc. were liberated from the prison in due course. This experience of my grandfather and his brothers was often told us by my later father; and there are people living still to whom my grandfather told the same tale—repeatedly too—adding that he would never forget the hearty welcome he received from the M’Leod Chief at Dunvegan Castle on that occasion.

It would ill become us, M’Hardy Buies, if we failed if we failed in the least iota in adhering to the old traditions of the M’Hardy clan, which our forefathers held so long and true under trying circumstances.

There are many other M’Hardys deserving of special notice, but I have only referred to the head of the Daldownie branch and his near relations, as be happens to be the person specially mentioned in the paragraph referred to. I trust Mr. Macbain will now feel satisfied that there are a sufficient number of Donald M’Hardy, Doldownie’s, relatives still living who are quite willing and able to uphold and guard the old traditions fo the Clan M’Hardy at all hazards.

CHAS. M’HARDY

"A Redcoat soldier was attacked and murdered by a M^cHardy while carrying the payroll for Corgarff Castle through the hills from Braemar. He was killed at the back of Carn Leac Saighaeir (The cairn of the soldier - a hill). As he lay on the ground dying he cursed the individual who had slain him so that his breed would die out. The last of this line was alleged to be Miss Janet M^cHardy who ran the Corgarff shop and Post Office at Greenbank."

M^cHardy, Alexander - Tennant Lochins.