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Kenneth Mackenzie, 4th Earl of Seaforth,KT,PC (S) (bapt. 8 December 1661 – January 1701) was aScottish peer andJacobite supporter, known asLord Mackenzie of Kintail from birth until 1678.
Mackenzie was the eldest son ofKenneth Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Seaforth, and his wife, Isabel. In 1686, he was sworn of thePrivy Council of Scotland and was a founding knight of theOrder of the Thistle a year later. In 1678, he inherited his father's titles and ten years later, following theGlorious Revolution, he followedKing James II and VII toFrance and later toIreland, where he was present at theSiege of Derry. For his part in supporting the dethroned King James in Ireland, he was elevated by James in 1690, to Marquess of Seaforth (in theJacobite Peerage, with the subsidiary title of Earl of Fortrose), and was sent to head a rising in Scotland. He was soon captured and imprisoned. He was released in 1697 and died in Paris in January 1701.
After the battle ofKilliecrankie and the death ofClaverhouse, James, writing on 30 November 1689 from Dublin Castle to Colonel Cannon, promised to send to him Seaforth to 'head his friends and followers'. For some timeBrahan Castle which belonged to him was garrisoned byHugh Mackay. After GeneralThomas Buchan undertook the command of the Jacobite forces, Seaforth prepared to join him with a body of the northern clans, but, on learning of Buchan's defeat atCromdale on 1 May 1690, he sent two of his clan to arrange terms with the government.[1]
He affirmed that he had merely taken up arms for the sake of appearances, and never had any real intention of joining Buchan. He also offered security for his future peaceable behaviour, but Mackay replied that he would be satisfied with no other security than the delivery of his person. Thereupon he agreed to deliver himself up to be confined inInverness, only stipulating that he should be seized at his seat with a show of force to hide his voluntary submission from the clan. On a party being sent to capture him he, however, changed his mind and disappointed them, pleading that his delicate health would suffer from imprisonment. Thereupon, Mackay resolved to treat his vassals 'with the rigour of military execution;' but, desirous for their sake to avoid extremities, he caused information of his intentions to be sent to Seaforth, who thereupon surrendered himself and was confined in the castle of Inverness. In consequence of a warrant of the privy council, 7 October 1690, he was brought to Edinburgh and imprisoned in the castle. His relativeGeorge Mackenzie, viscount Tarbat, first earl of Cromarty, made strong representations toLord Melville against the impolicy of his imprisonment, but he was retained a prisoner until 7 January 1692, when he was allowed his liberty within ten miles of Edinburgh. On 7 May, he was apprehended atPencaitland and confined to the castle of Inverness, and was not finally liberated until 1 March 1697.[2] Afterwards he went to France, and died inParis in January 1701.[1]
Seaforth marriedLady Frances Herbert (1659-1732), daughter ofWilliam Herbert, 1st Marquess of Powis, in 1680. They had two children:
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth | Unknown | 8 January 1740 | married Mary Kennet; had issue |
| Lady Mary Sempill | Unknown | 1740 | married firstly in 1712, John Caryll; had issue married secondly in 1725,Francis Sempill; had issue |
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Henderson, Thomas Finlayson (1893). "Mackenzie, Kenneth". InLee, Sidney (ed.).Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 35. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
| Peerage of Scotland | ||
|---|---|---|
| New creation | — TITULAR — Marquess of Seaforth Jacobite peerage 1690–1701 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Earl of Seaforth 1678–1701 | |
| Preceded by | Chief of Clan Mackenzie 1678–1701 | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
