John
Gearr, on being questioned why he had struck at Mackenzie and took
no notice of those who apprehended his master, boldly replied that
he "saw no one else present whose life was a worthy exchange for
that of his own chief." John's sword made a deep gash in the table,
and the mark, which was deep enough to admit of a hand being placed
edgeways in it, remained until Colin, first Earl of Seaforth,
caused the piece to be cut off, saying that "he loved no such
remembrance of the quarrels of his relations."
John Glassich, it would appear, was not unduly circumspect at
home, or a very dutiful and loyal subject to his King. In 1547
his estate was forfeited for refusing to join the Royal Standard,
and the escheat thereof granted to the Earl of Sutherland, as will
be seen by the following letter in favour of that nobleman:
"A letter made to John, Earl of Sutherland, his heirs, assigns,
one or more, the gift of all goods moveable and unmoveable, debts,
tacks, steadings, corns, and obligations, sums of money, gold,
silver, coined and uncoined, and other goods whatsoever which
pertained to John Hectors - son of Gairloch, and now pertaining to
our Sovereign Lady by reason of escheat through the said John's
remaining and biding at home from the 'oist' and army devised to
convene at Peebles, the 10th day of July instant, for recovering
of the house of Langholm furth of our enemies' hands of England,
in contrary to the tenour of the letters and proclamations made
thereupon, incurred therethrough the pains contained thereuntil,
or any otherwise shall happen to pertain to us our Sovereign by
reason foresaid with power, etc.
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