William Munro, 12th Baron of Foulis

Last updated

Sir William Munro of Foulis (died 1505) was a Scottish Knight and Scottish clan chief of the highland Clan Munro. He is by tradition the 12th Baron of Foulis and 15th overall chief of the clan. [1] However, he is actually only the 5th chief of the Clan Munro who can be proved by contemporary evidence. [2]

Contents

Early life

William Munro was the eldest son of John Munro, 11th Baron of Foulis, a Crown Chamberlain. [1] [2] As heir to his father, he was given sasine of his lands in 1491 as recorded by contemporary documents, the Munro Writs of Foulis. [2] William Munro is said to have been knighted by king James IV of Scotland and appears in a document as "Sir" William in 1503. [2] Sir William Munro was the king’s Lieutenant and Justicary of Inverness and the Earldom Ross. [2]

Clan battles

There are two traditional stories of clan battles involving the Clan Munro during William's chieftaincy. Both are called the Battle of Drumchatt but there does not appear to be any contemporary evidence for either of the battles.

The first is said to have taken place in 1497 when Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh rebelled against the king. He invaded Rosshire and was defeated in battle at Drumchatt by the Munros and Mackenzies, who were the king's allies. [3] This version of events is recorded by early 19th-century historian Donald Gregory and seems to be accepted by modern historians. [4] [5] However, late 19th-century historian Alexander Mackenzie disputes the Munro’s presence at the battle. [1]

The second battle at Drumchatt is said to have taken place in 1501 and was fought between the Munros and Mackenzies. According to Alexander Mackenzie, Sir William Munro led a force of 900 men to attack the Mackenzies but were defeated by just 140 Mackenzies. [1] However, there is no historical evidence for this story.

Rebellion of Donald Dubh

In the early 16th century Donald Dubh, chief of Clan Donald rebelled against the king. The Clan Donald chiefs were no longer Earls of Ross or Lords of the Isles. Sir William Munro of Foulis was commissioned to let the King's lands of Lochaber and Mamore to "true men," as recorded in the Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, 21 March 1501/02. [2] The Earl of Huntly, chief of Clan Gordon and Lord Lovat, chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat were also ordered to proceed against the rebels. Cameron of Lochiel, chief of Clan Cameron supported the rebel Donald Dubh. Sir William Munro was slain by Cameron of Lochiel at Achnashellach in 1505. [6] Clan Cameron tradition is that they defeated a joint force from the Clan Munro and Clan Mackay at the Battle of Achnashellach. [7]

One 17th-century account states that William was killed by treachery: William Munro of Foulis, a knight most valiant for leading an army at the command of the King against certain factious northern men, he perished by treachery. [8]

Another historian from the early 18th century states that Munro was killed by Cameron, adding that: "the house was surrounded and refused to surrender". [9]

Family

Sir William Munro of Foulis had married Anne, daughter of Lachlan Og Maclean of Duart Castle, chief of Clan Maclean. They had three children: [1]

  1. Hector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis (heir and successor as chief of the Clan Munro).
  2. William Munro, Vicar of Dingwall.
  3. Margaret Munro.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Ross</span> Scottish clan

Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan. The original chiefs of the clan were the original Earls of Ross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Mackenzie</span> Scottish clan

Clan Mackenzie is a Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands. Traditional genealogies trace the ancestors of the Mackenzie chiefs to the 12th century. However, the earliest Mackenzie chief recorded by contemporary evidence is Alexander Mackenzie of Kintail who died some time after 1471. Traditionally, during the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Mackenzies supported Robert the Bruce, but feuded with the Earls of Ross in the latter part of the 14th century. During the 15th and 16th-centuries the Mackenzies feuded with the neighboring clans of Munro and MacDonald. In the 17th century the Mackenzie chief was made Earl of Seaforth in the peerage of Scotland. During the Scottish Civil War of the 17th century the Mackenzies largely supported the Royalists. During the Jacobite rising of 1715 the chief and clan of Mackenzie supported the Jacobite cause. However, during the Jacobite rising of 1745 the clan was divided with the chief, Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose, supporting the British-Hanoverian Government and his relative, George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie, supporting the Jacobites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Cameron</span> West Highland Scottish clan

Clan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber and within their lands lies Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The Chief of the clan is customarily referred to as simply "Lochiel".

The Munros of Milntown were a family cadet branch of the Highland Clan Munro. As the earliest recorded cadet branch of the Munro chiefs, the Munros of Milntown were the 'senior' cadet branch of the clan, and spawned many cadet branches. They were frequently recorded as 'Monro' as well as Munro. The Munros of Milntown are notable for being involved in events concerning the history of the late Middle Ages in the Scottish Highlands.

Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis was also 23rd Baron and 26th chief of the Clan Munro. He became blind and was known as the Blind Baron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Bealach nam Broig</span> Battle in Highland, Scotland, UK

The Battle of Bealach nam Broig was a battle fought between Scottish clans from the lands of north-west Ross, against north-eastern clans of Ross who supported the Earl of Ross. The actual date of the battle is debated, it probably occurred in 1452 but the Conflicts of the Clans suggests a date as early as 1299.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Drumchatt (1497)</span> Scottish clan battle that took place in 1497

The Battle of Drumchatt was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1497. The Clan Mackenzie and possibly the Clan Munro defeated the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh at Drumchatt (Druimchat) or "the Cat's Back", a ridge to the southeast of Strathpeffer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Achnashellach</span>

The Battle of Achnashellach was a Scottish clan battle said to have taken place in the year 1505, in the Scottish Highlands at Achnashellach. It was fought by the Clan Cameron against the Clan Mackay and the Clan Munro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Logiebride</span>

The Battle of Logiebride or Logie-Riach, also known as a Tumult in Ross was more of a small skirmish rather than an actual battle. The disturbance is said to have taken place on 4 February 1597 at the Logie Candlemas market near Conan House between men of the Clan Mackenzie against men of the Clan Munro and the Bain family of Tulloch Castle.

Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis, and 18th chief of the Clan Munro was a 16th-century Scottish chief. He was known as Robert Mor on account of his large stature. He was the eldest son of Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis. Although this Robert Munro is traditionally 15th Baron and 18th overall chief of the clan, he is only the 8th Munro chief that can be proved by contemporary evidence.

Sir Robert Munro, 3rd Baronet of Foulis, 21st Baron and 24th chief of the Clan Munro was a 17th-century Scottish soldier and politician.

Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis was a Scottish soldier and clan chief of the Highland Clan Munro. He was seated at Foulis Castle. Although he is traditionally the 14th Baron and 17th overall chief of the clan, he is only the 7th Munro chief that can be proved by contemporary evidence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dingwall Castle</span>

Dingwall Castle was a medieval fort and royal castle in the town of Dingwall, eastern Ross-shire, Scotland.

George Munro of Foulis is traditionally the 10th Baron and 13th successive chief of the Clan Munro. However, he is only the third successive chief of the clan who can be proved by contemporary evidence. He was the eldest son of Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis and was seated at Foulis Castle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Munro</span> Highland Scottish clan

Clan Munro is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically the clan was based in Easter Ross in the Scottish Highlands. Traditional origins of the clan give its founder as Donald Munro who came from the north of Ireland and settled in Scotland in the eleventh century, though its true founder may have lived much later. It is also a strong tradition that the Munro chiefs supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The first proven clan chief on record however is Robert de Munro who died in 1369; his father is mentioned but not named in a number of charters. The clan chiefs originally held land principally at Findon on the Black Isle but exchanged it in 1350 for Estirfowlys. Robert's son Hugh who died in 1425 was the first of the family to be styled "of Foulis", despite which clan genealogies describe him as 9th baron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Inverness (1715)</span>

The siege of Inverness that took place in November 1715 was part of the Jacobite rising of 1715. The town of Inverness and Inverness Castle were being held by the Clan Mackenzie, led by Sir John Mackenzie of Coul who supported the rebel Jacobite cause. Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, chief of the Clan Fraser of Lovat besieged them, supported by men of the Clan Rose and Clan Forbes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skirmish of Alness</span>

The Skirmish of Alness was a conflict that took place in October 1715 in Alness, in the county of Ross in the Scottish Highlands. It was part of the Jacobite rising of 1715 and pitted Highlanders loyal to the British-Hanoverian Government of George I of Great Britain against Highlanders loyal to the Jacobite House of Stuart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Brahan</span>

The siege of Brahan took place in Scotland in November 1715 and was part of the Jacobite rising of 1715. Highlanders loyal to the British-Hanoverian government of George I of Great Britain laid siege to Brahan Castle, seat of William Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth, who was a staunch Jacobite, loyal to the House of Stuart.

Hector Munro, 17th Baron of Foulis, also known as the master of Foulis, was a Scottish chief of the Highland, Scottish clan, Clan Munro. He is the 10th chief of Clan Munro who can be proved by contemporary evidence. He was seated at Foulis Castle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Drumchatt (1501)</span>

The Battle of Drumchatt, or Druim-a-Chait, was a Scottish clan battle claimed by non-contemporary historians to have taken place in the year 1501 near Strathpeffer, in the Scottish Highlands. It was allegedly fought between the Clan Mackenzie and the Clan Munro. Mackenzie chronicles have claimed a signal victory.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Mackenzie, Alexander (1898). History of the Munros of Fowlis. Inverness: A. & W. Mackenzie. pp.  28-34. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Munro, R. W (1978). The Munro Tree 1734. Edinburgh. pp. 14 - on opposite unnumbered page - paragraph O. ISBN   0-9503689-1-1.
  3. ↑ Gregory, Donald (1881). History of the Highlands from A.D. 1493 to A.D. 1625. pp.  92. Quoting from: Sir Robert Gordon's History of the Earldom of Sutherland p. 77, Macvurich's MS and MacDonald's MS
  4. ↑ MacDonald, Donald. J (2008). Clan Donald. p. 129.
  5. ↑ Roberts, John. L (1999). Feuds, Forays and Rebellions: History of the Highland Clans 1475 - 1625.
  6. ↑ Fraser, C.I. of Reelig (1954). The Clan Munro. Stirling: Johnston & Bacon. p. 21. ISBN   0-7179-4535-9.
  7. ↑ "The Battle of Achnashellach". clan-cameron.org. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  8. ↑ Mackenzie, Alexander (1898). History of the Munros of Fowlis. pp.  171-174. Mackenzie's 1898 book contains a transcript of the 17th century birth brief from Alexander Munro, cadet of the Munro of Obsdale family, to Charles I of England
  9. ↑ Young, John (1805). Chronological and Genealogical Account of the Ancient and Honorable Family of the Fowlis. Inverness. Young's 1805 book contains a transcript of Andrew Munro of Coul's manuscript written in 1717
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.