BattlefieldsMacSween Resistance at Castle Sween 1200
Medieval

MacSween Resistance at Castle Sween 1200

1200
Scotland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
MacSorley and MacDougall descendants of Somerled
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
MacSween lords of Knapdale
Outcome
MacSween lords maintained Castle Sween against MacSorley pressure but were gradually reduced in power as the MacSorley descendants of Somerled consolidated mainland Argyll.
The Battle

History & Significance

The MacSween lords of Knapdale held Castle Sween, one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland, and used it as a base for resistance against MacSorley expansion into mid-Argyll. The MacSween resistance delayed complete MacSorley dominance of the Argyll mainland and maintained a rival centre of Gaelic-Norse lordship in Knapdale through the early thirteenth century.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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