Archibald Campbell


(7th Earl of Argyll)

c.1576 - 1638

Succeeding his father to the Earldom in 1584, Campbell was used by King James VI (1566 - 1625) to control the highland clans. However, the young Campbell certainly did not enjoy the wholehearted support of the King, who tolerated the internecine violence between the clans and probably used it for his political advantage. James sent an advance force led by Campbell to put down a rebellion by the Catholic Earls of Huntly and Errol (1594), but was defeated at Glenlivet. Campbell continued to pursue the other clans, massacring the Colquhouns at Glen Fruin (1603), the MacGregors (1610) and the MacDonalds (1614-5). James VI gave Campbell the forfeited MacDonald lands in Kintyre (1607). On the behest of his second wife, he converted to Catholicism, fled the country and entered the service of the King of Spain. Unsurprisingly this resulted in his being declared a traitor (1618). He died quietly in London.


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