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A very early reference to the MacLeods says they come from Siol (seed, sons of) Torcuill, Siol Thermos and Siol Thasgaill. However it is unlikely that Thasgaill was a progenitor of the MacLeods as the family name MacAskill developed and flourished alongside the MacLeod family.
Indeed, the MacAskill fortunes have been closely linked to the MacLeods of Dunvegan even before Norse rule ended in 1266. In MacLeod clan history they are first mentioned in the time of Malcolm, Chief, 1320 - 1370.
Dunvegan Castle is the ancestral home of the MacLeod of MacLeod, Chieftain of the MacLeod Clan. They have an ancient flag
displayed there, which is said to be the magic "Land-Waster" once borne by King Harald Hardrada of Norway when he
invaded England in 1066. It is said that it took a thousand Viking longboats to transport his troops. The gigantic Norseman
intended to stay for he brought his wife (a Russian princess), his children, concubines and all his treasure, including a huge
nugget of gold that needed 16 men to carry it. At the battle of Stamford Bridge, the vikings formed the traditional shield wall
which made a full circle. Little could be seen of the men except their winged helmets and fierce eyes above the shields and the
dread "Land-Waster" flying above them.
Harold, King of England, was a much smaller man than his Norwegian rival for the throne, nevertheless he led the charge
against the shield wall. Men fight hardest when they defend their native land. If the Norsemen won, they would ravage England
from coast to coast. Nobody would be safe. Harald Hardrada, standing beneath Land-Waster, fought on long after the shield
wall had been broken, but in the end he died his throat pierced by an arrow. A blood stained cloth was flung over his face so he
could not witness the defeat of his army.
The English were not victorious a few weeks later, when they had to meet the Normans at Hastings. But the Land-Waster, the
terror inspiring black flag of the Vikings, vanished in this turmoil. Some say the MacLeod flag is that flag. Others say it was
given to some ancient chieftain by his fairy wife. Two legends survive about it: whenever there is great danger to the MacLeods,
they will overcome all difficulties if they fly the flag - but this protection will only work three times, and it has already been used
successfully twice - at the Battles of Glendale (1490) and Trumpan (1580). The other legend is that every ten years at midnight on
Midsummer, the king of the fairies and all his court come to view the flag, and woe-betide any mortal who spies on them during
this visit. | Later on, William MacAskill was the foster brother (co-dhalta) of the Chief and distinguished himself during the first Fraser raid circa 1350. He was acting as Seneschal (Guardian?) of Dunvegan and, with 6 brothers, attacked the Frasers in a wood as they were making their way home laden with spoil and routed them.
For generations the MacAskills were the lieutenants of MacLeod of Dunvegan on sea and land and commanded his galleys. (birlinn.) Wardens of the clan coastline, one of them always accompanied the Chief fully armed. As the Constables of Dunscaith Castle, the MacLeod stronghold in Sleat, their reward for this service was occupation of the lands of Rudha nan Dunann. These they retained after the MacLeods lost Sleat. They are said to also have had lands in other parts of the MacLeod Estates.
The MacAskills again distinguished themselves when the MacDonalds attacked the MacLeods in the time of William, 5th Chief. 1392 - 1402, seizing the enemy galleys and cutting off their retreat.
At the second battle of Inverlochy, when lain, 6th Chief of MacLeod was suffering a wound he received at the Battle of Harlaw, the combined forces of the Siol Tormod and the Siol Torquil were commanded by the Chief of Lewis but, under him, a MacAskill led the men from Dunvegan.
In the fierce Battle of Glendale circa 1490 when the MacDonalds again invaded MacLeod lands one of the MacAskills cut down one of the leaders of the MacDonalds and, raising his head on a spear, ordered the MacLeod pipers to play the MacDonald's lament which greatly disheartened his clansmen.
MacAskill was then attacked by the other MacDonald leader, Allan of Noidart in his desperate efforts to cut his way back to his galleys. In the fierce fight that followed MacAskill was killed along with three of his brothers.
In recognition of his services, ever after this exploit, the MacAskills were granted the distinction of having a warrior specially carved on their tombs.
(While the MacAskills, through accident of birth, name, or lack of ability could never seem to be at the top of the tree, their early history records the fact that they strove hard to stay in the upper branches!)
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