Argyll, Colin Campbell, Lord Lorne, 1st earl of

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Argyll, Colin Campbell, Lord Lorne, 1st earl of [S] (d. December 1492/January 1493). Colin Campbell was the grandson of Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochawe, 1st Lord Campbell [S] (1445), who died in 1453. Colin's elevation to earl (1458) was followed by a steady acquisition of lands and offices—justiciar south of Forth by 1462, master of the royal household a few years later, and Lord Lorne by 1470.

Argyll's life was one of contrasts, combining the attributes of a shrewd and hard-working royal councillor and the ambitions of an immensely powerful Highland clan chief. He supported the English alliance of 1474, yet opposed James III at Lauder (July 1482). In 1483 Argyll became chancellor, but was suddenly sacked by James III in February 1488. Joining the formidable magnate coalition against the king, Argyll recovered the chancellorship on James's death at Sauchie Burn, and held it throughout the troubled early years of the next reign.

Norman Macdougall

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