redshanks

redshanks were light infantrymen usually hired for the summer months from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland during the 16th century. These mercenaries, known as redshanks because they went bare‐legged in kilts, were available because of poverty in the overpopulated Isles and because of the break‐up of its lordship. Mostly MacLeans, MacDonalds, Campbells, MacQuarries, and MacLeods, they fought mainly in Ulster and Connacht. Maintained by the buannacht system on three‐month contracts, the redshanks became increasingly important auxiliaries for Gaelic lords as the century progressed. To ensure a regular supply, O'Neill and O'Donnell maintained good offices with the influential earls of Argyll and began marrying Scottish wives, the first such match being Conn O'Neill's to Mary MacDonald in the late 1530s. In the 1590s the English state persuaded Argyll to deter mercenary recruitment, distributed subsidies in the islands to keep the men at home, and deployed shipping in the North Channel to intercept them.

Hiram Morgan