Fergus the Younger, earl of Argyll
| Fergus the Younger | |
|---|---|
| Earl of Argyll | |
| Reign | 1102 - 1135 |
| Predecessor | Fergus the Elder |
| Successor | Fingal Kinslayer |
| Born | 1088 |
| Died | 7 November 1135 (aged 47) Dunstaffnage |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Ivaring |
| Issue
Fingal Fergus | |
Fergus the Younger (1088 - 7 November 1135) was earl of Argyll from 1102 until his murder at the hands of his own son, Fingal mac Fergus, in 1135.
Life
Fergus was born in 1088, the only son of Fergus, son of Gilbride, earl of Argyll. Fergus' grandfather died in 1091, and his father died in 1102, making him earl of Argyll at the age of fourteen. In 1104 he married Margaret Ivaring, a member of the ruling dynasty of Carrick. Their eldest son Fingal was born in 1109; their second son Fergus (d. 1177) became a Knight Templar.
Little is known of Fergus' life, but he seems to have been a loyal subject of King Malsnectan, from whom he held Argyll for a small cain or tribute. After the death of his uncle Somerled, earl of Fife, in 1117, Fergus may have laid claim to Fife but was rebuffed by Malsnectan. After the execution of his cousin Rory, earl of Fife, by King Lulach in 1127, Fergus was fined by the king for slaying a royal messenger. Fergus may have spent a brief time in prison at the royal command in 1128 for his rash action.
Fergus was murdered at Dunstaffnage on 7 November 1135, slain by the knife of his eldest son Fingal, who thereafter took power as earl. Fergus' murder prompted royal intervention in Argyll, and Fingal was executed on the king's orders in 1136.