Background
John de Moravia, 9th Earl of Sutherland (John Sutherland), chief of the Clan Sutherland died in 1514. He was succeeded by his sister, Elizabeth de Moravia, 10th Countess of Sutherland. Elizabeth de Moravia would go on to marry Adam Gordon, the second son of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, chief of the powerful Clan Gordon in 1517. Adam and Elizabeth's son Alexander Gordon would become the heir to the Earldom of Sutherland and chieftainship of the Clan Sutherland.
The Battle of Torran Dubh took place because John Mackay, chief of Clan Mackay and later the brother in law of Alexander Sutherland (Elizabeth's younger half-brother) was against the Gordon family taking over as Earls of Sutherland. Alexander Sutherland led the Clan Sutherland against the Clan Mackay at the battle. However according to historian Sir Robert Gordon, Elizabeth de Moravia persuaded her younger half-brother, Alexander Sutherland to resist Mackay, as this battle took place before Alexander had married Mackay's sister.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Torran Dubh
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