clan munro history [wiki with changes]

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ORIGINS

∙ The main theory as to the origin of the clan is that the Munros came from Ireland and settled in Scotland in the 11th century. Another theory is that they were originally from Scotland and moved to Ireland to escape Roman rule and then returned to Scotland 300 years later to expel Viking invaders. None of these theories can be fully substantiated. By tradition it is believed that during the 11th century the Munros fought as mercenary soldiers under the Earl of Ross who defeated Viking invaders in Rosshire. The clan under chief Donald Munro, son of O'Ceann were granted lands in Rosshire and a seat at Foulis Castle as a reward for helping King Malcolm II of Scotland to defeat Viking invaders from Scandinavia.

∙ Traditionally, Donald's grandson Hugh Munro was the first Munro recorded to be authentically designated Baron of Foulis, he died in 1126. A reliable scholar, Alexander Nisbet stated in 1722 that George Munro, 5th Baron of Foulis received a charter from the Earl of Sutherland during the reign of Alexander II of Scotland, but this charter can no longer be traced.[2] It is also said that the Munros fought in support of Alexander III of Scotland against the Norwegian forces of Haakon IV of Norway at the Battle of Largs in 1263 and as a result had all their lands in Ross-shire confirmed to them by the King.

∙ The clan soon spread into Sutherlandshire and were given a charter for land in Strathspey in 1309, and were granted more land in 1336 by the Earl of Ross. The Munro's lands lie on the north side of the Cromarty Firth and within their lands is the mountain Ben Wyvis and the Black Rock Gorge.

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WARS OF SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

∙ During the Wars of Scottish Independence chief Robert Munro, 6th Baron of Foulis led the clan in support of King Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Robert Munro survived the battle but his son George was killed. George however had a son of his own before he died also called George. This George Munro succeeded his grandfather Robert as chief and led the clan at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333 where he died.

∙ Chief 'Robert de Munro' was married to the daughter of the Earl of Ross and had many charters confirmed to him under King David II of Scotland including one for the "Tower of Strathskehech" and "Estirfowlys" in 1350. Robert was killed in an obscure skirmish fighting in defence of Uilleam III, Earl of Ross in 1369. His son Hugh Munro was also granted many charters including one in respect of the "Tower of Strathschech" and "Wesstir Fowlys" from Euphemia I, Countess of Ross in 1394.

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15TH CENTURY AND CLAN CONFLICTS

∙ Battle of Harlaw, 1411, chief Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis supported Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the Isles who later became the Earl of Ross through marriage. They fought in the Lord of the Isles 'host' against an army of Scottish Lowlanders led by the Duke of Albany who was temporarily prevented from gaining power in Ross-shire.

∙ 1428, A group of Munros were granted remission by King James I for past offences when he came to Invernss to assert his authority in the Highlands.

∙ Battle of Bealach nam Broig, 1452, Fought north-west of Ben Wyvis between the a force of Munros and Dingwalls against a force of western tribes loyal to MacKenzie of Kintail who had taken hostage the Earl of Ross's son. The Munros and their allies rescued the Ross hostage and exterminated their enemies but with the loss of their chiefs, George Munro of Foulis and William Dingwell of Kildun.

∙ Battle of Clachnaharry, 1454, Fought between the Munros, led by John Munro of Milntown against the Clan Mackintosh.

∙ 1491, A document is signed and sealed by a MacKenzie, at Foulis Castle, reading in Gaelic: "caisteal biorach, nead na h-iolair" meaning "castle gaunt-peaked, the eagle's nest". In allusion to the chief's heraldic emblem.

∙ Battle of Drumchatt, 1497, In 1495 King James assembled an army at Glasgow. Then on May 18 many of the Highland Chiefs made their submissions to him, including the MacKenzie and Munro chiefs. Soon after this Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh and his clan rebelled against the King. He invaded the fertile lands of Ross-shire where he was defeated in battle by the Munros and MacKenzies at a place called Drumchatt where he was driven out of Ross-shire.

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16 CENTURY AND CLAN CONFLICTS

∙ 1500, the Munros of Milntown begin construction of Milntown Castle, although it was opposed by the Rosses for being to close to their Balnagowan Castle.

∙ Battle of Achnashellach, 1505, described as an obscure skirmish between the Clan Cameron and Clan MacKay, where chief William Munro of Foulis who was on the side of the MacKays was killed, acting on the King's business. William's eldest son, Hector Munro became chief and had extensive lands confirmed to him by King James V, was made constable of Strome Castle and was made the Royal Lieutenant of Western Ross-shire as his father was before him.

∙ 1527, 30 of April, A bond of friendship is signed at Inverness between: Chief Hector Munro of Foulis; John Campbell of Cawdor, the Knight of Calder; Hector Mackintosh of Mackintosh, Chief of Clan Mackintosh, captain of Clanchatten; Hugh Rose of Kilravock, Chief of Clan Rose; and "Donald Ilis of Sleat".

∙ 1529, A charter is signed between chief Hector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis and Lord Fraser of Lovat to assist and defend each other.[citation needed]

∙ 1544, Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis, signs a bond of kindess and alliance with the chief of Clan Ross of Balnagowan.

∙ Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, 1547, chief Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis died fighting at the last major battle between the Royal Scottish and Royal English armies.

∙ 1549, Donald Munro, or Monro, Dean of the Isles, visits Finlaggan Castle.

∙ Inverness Castle, 1562, Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis was a staunch supporter and faithful friend of Mary Queen of Scots and consequently was treated favourably by her son James VI. Buchanan states, that when the unfortunate princess went to Inverness in 1562; "as soon as they heard of their sovereign's danger, a great number of the most eminent Scots poured in around her, especially the Frasers and Munros, who were esteemed the most valiant of the clans inhabiting those countries in the north". These two clans took the castle for the Queen.

∙ Fortrose 1569-73, With the MacKenzies the Munros were often at feud, and Andrew Munro of Milntown defended and held, for three years, the Castle Chanonry of Ross, which he had received from the Regent Moray who died in 1569, against the Clan MacKenzie, at the expense of many lives on both sides. The feud was settled when the castle was handed over to the Mackenzies peacefully, because they had obtained more legal right to own the castle.

∙ 1587, Foulis Castles', "tower and fortalice" are mentioned in a charter from the Crown.

∙ Battle of Logiebride, 1597, fought at a fair in logiebride between clansmen from the Clan Munro and Clan Bane against clansmen from the Clan Mackenzie.

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THIRTY YEARS' WAR AND CIVIL WAR

∙ During the early 17th century the Munros continued their strong military traditions, fighting in the continental Thirty Years' War. Most notably the 21st chief Robert Munro, 18th Baron of Foulis, known as the Black Baron and 700 members of Clan Munro joined the army of Gustavs Adolphus, in defence of Protestantism in Scandinavia along with many men from the Clan MacKay. In Robert's own words: "When cannons are roaring, and bullets are flying, If one would have honour, he must not fear dying". Robert and his men served with distinction and received the name of the "Invincibles" in recognition of their prowess. There were twenty-seven field officers and eleven captains of the name of Munro in the Swedish army.

∙ During the Bishops' Wars General Robert Monro laid siege and took Spynie Palace, Drum Castle and Huntly Castle. From 1642 to 1648 he commanded the Scottish Covenanter army in Ireland.

∙ Battle of Stirling (1648), Sir George Munro, 1st of Newmore who fought in Ireland as a covenanter later became a royalist after his uncle, Robert Monro was imprisoned by Cromwell in 1648. In September of that year George Munro and his men defeated the advance forces of Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll. If not for Munro's initiative, quite a different battle may have been fought the following day.

∙ Inverness Castle, 1649, Colonel John Munro of Lemlair, Colonel Hugh Fraser, Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty and Thomas Mackenzie of Pluscardine were all opposed to the authority of the current parliament. They assaulted the town and took the castle. They then expelled the garrison and raised the fortifications. However, on the approach of the parlimentry forces led by General David Leslie all of the clans retreated back into Ross-shire.

∙ Battle of Carbisdale, 1650, On hearing of this rising against Leslie, James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, leader of royalist forces and his invading army of foreigners, mainly Germans and Danes landed in Ross-shire. He was opposed by the Munros, Rosses and Clan Sutherland who supported Leslie and the Scottish Argyll Covenanter Government. The Munros and their allies completely defeated the invading army.

∙ Battle of Worcester, 1651, The Scottish Covenantor Government had become disillusioned with the English parliament and supported the royalists instead. William Munroe was one of four Munroes captured and transported to America. Sir Alexander Munro of Bearcrofts survived and escaped the battle at Worcester.

∙ The Restoration, 1660, the chief's brother, George Munro, 1st of Newmore later commanded the forces of King Charles II in Scotland from 1674 to 1677,

∙ Battle of Dunkeld, 1689,George Munro of Auchinbowie, son of Alexander Munro of Bearcrofts commanded royalist forces that defeated the Jacobites.

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18TH CENTURY AND JACOBITE RISINGS

∙ Jacobite Uprising of 1715

∙ The Earl of Seaforth led a force of 3000 men headed by the Clan MacKenzie which also included men from the Clan MacDonald, Clan MacKinnon, Clan MacRae and the Clan Chisholm. He was opposed by Colonel Sir Robert Munro of Foulis who had formed a camp at the Bridge of Alness with 600 men which also included men from the Clan Ross. Munro had sent many of his own men south to protect the lands of the Clan Forbes of Culloden from the Jacobites. Munro was soon joined by the Earl of Sutherland and the chief of Clan MacKay who both brought with them only a portion of their clans and expected support from the Clan Grant did not arrive. Seaforth's forces advanced on the Sutherland's camp who made a quick retreat to avoid contact with their more powerful foe. Soon afterwards a council of war was held between the two sides and the Sutherlanders and MacKays peacefully moved back north to their own territory, while much of the Ross's lands were ravaged and the Munros returned to find their lands plundered.

∙ The MacKenzie Jacobite garrison at Inverness surrendered to Simon Fraser of Lovat upon the very day when the Battle of Sheriffmuir was fought and another Jacobite force was defeated at the Battle of Preston. After this 31 year old Colonel Robert Munro of Foulis marched into the town of Inverness with 400 Munros and took over control as governor from Fraser. Government troops arrived in Inverness towards the end of February, and for some months the process of disarming the rebels went on, helped by a Munro detachment under George Munro of Culcairn.

∙ The clan rivalries which had erupted in rebellion were finding an outlet in local politics. MacKenzie's Earl of Seaforth title came to an end in 1716, and it was arranged that while the Clan Ross held the county seat the Munros would represent the Tain Burghs. Ross ascendancy was secure in Tain, and from 1716 to 1745 the Munros controlled Dingwall, with one of Robert Munro's brothers as provost, but not without something like two armed Munro "invasions" of the county town in 1721 and 1740, when opposing councillors were abducted to secure a favourable result (for the first incident Colonel Robert and his brother were fined £200 each, and after the second his parliamentary career came to an abrupt end with defeat at the 1741 election). The blind baron's third son, George Munro of Culcairn raised a detachment from his father's clan to fight at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719 where they defeated the Jacobites.

∙ Black Watch

∙ In 1725 six Independent Black Watch companies were formed. One of Munros, one of Frasers, one of Grants and three of Campbells. These companies were known by the name Am Freacadain Dubh, or Black Watch. By 1740 it had become the 43d Highland regiment and then the 42d Royal Highlanders. Sir Robert Munro was appointed lieutenant-colonel. Among the captains were his next brother, George Munro of Culcairn, and John Munro. The surgeon of the regiment was Robert's younger brother, Dr Duncan Munro.

-- a.d. 1742 begins now --