Eóghan of Argyll

Who was Eóghan of Argyll?

Eóghan MacDubhghaill was a 13th century Scottish nobleman and warrior who was styled "King of the Isles", "Lord of Argyll". He was the son of Donnchadh, son of Dubhghall, son of Somhairle mac Gille Brighde.

According to Scandinavian sources, after the death of Harald Olafsson in 1248, King Haakon IV of Norway appointed Eóghan as King of the Isles, though within a year that title went to Dubhghall mac Ruaidhri.

In response to Eóghan's assumption of this title perhaps, in 1249 King Alexander II of Scotland launched an expedition against Eóghan after the latter refused to renounce his homage to King Haakon IV of Norway. Alexander II fell ill and died on this expedition, but Eóghan seems to have been temporarily deprived of his Argyll possessions.

In 1250, Eóghan tried to obtain rulership of the Isle of Man, but was expelled by the inhabitants. He then travelled to Norway, hoping for recognition as King of the Isles. This attempt was unsuccessful. By 1255, King Henry III of England had secured a deal for Eóghan whereby he regained Lorne and came into full Scottish allegiance.

When Haakon campaigned against the Scots in 1263, Eóghan refused the Norwegian king service and remained a Scottish loyalist. After Haakon's defeat at the Battle of Largs, Eóghan regained formal recognition as ruler of the Isles. His last recorded appearance is in 1268.