Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis was a 14th – 15th century Scottish soldier and said to be 12th chief of the Clan Munro in the Scottish Highlands. Hugh was seated at Foulis Castle in Ross-shire, Scotland. Although Hugh is traditionally the 9th Baron and 12th overall chief of the clan, he is only the 2nd Munro chief that can be proved by contemporary evidence.[1]

Lands and Charters

Hugh Munro was the eldest son of Robert de Munro, 8th Baron of Foulis (d.1369). Upon his father's death Hugh succeeded as chief of the clan and he was granted from his cousin, Uilleam III, Earl of Ross, charters for the lands of Katewell and the Tower of Badgarvie in the parish of Kiltearn. The following year in 1370 Hugh was granted more lands from the same Earl including Inverlael in Loch Broom, Kilmachalmack in Strath-Oykel, Carbisdale in Strathcarron, lands in the parish of Kincardine, Sutherland and was also reserved the salmon fishing in the Kyle of Oykel for himself and his heirs.[2]

In 1379 Euphemia I, Countess of Ross confirmed the lands of Contullich and the Tower of Ardoch (Contullich Castle) to her cousin Hugh Munro of Foulis and in 1394 she granted Hugh two charters, one in respect of the "Tower of Strathschech" and "Wesstir Fowlys".[2][3]

Harlaw and the Lord of the Isles

In 1411 Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis joined Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the Isles the chief of Clan Donald to prosecute his rightful claim to Ross. It was opposed by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany and his agent and nephew, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar. This resulted in the Battle of Harlaw. The Munros fought in the Lord of the Isles 'host' of 10,000 man against a lesser army of armed knights led by the Earl of Mar, agent for Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, who wanted Ross for his son.[3][4]

The result of the battle has been a matter of argument amongst many historians. Most agree Donald and his Islesmen and Highlanders had the victory as they still had 9100 men on the field when the battle was over and the Earl of Mar and his men lay wounded on the field. The nearest contemporary record is found in the Irish Annals of Connacht, where under the year 1411 it states, “Mac Domnaill of Scotland won a great victory over the Galls of Scotland.” [5]

The Duke of Albany did not return to the Highlands until 1415. In 1415 he awarded Ross to his son the John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Buchan, but that did not last. Donald of Islay's wife, Mariota was considered the Countess of Ross and Donald's son, Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross, carried the title.[6]

Family

Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis married Isabelle Keith daughter of William Keith, 1st Earl Marischal, also known as the Great Marishchal of Scotland. They had 4 children:[2]

  1. George Munro, 10th Baron of Foulis. Hugh's heir and successor as chief of the Clan Munro.
  2. John Munro, 1st of Milntown. Progenitor of the Munro of Milntown branch of the clan.
  3. Janet Munro. Married Malcolm Og MacKintosh, a cadet of the MacKintoshes of Dunachton, Clan Mackintosh.
  4. Elizabeth Munro. Married Neil MacKay, 8th chief of the Clan MacKay.

Hugh Munro died in 1425 and was buried at Chanonry.[2] In the years following Hugh's death, during the chieftainship of his eldest son George Munro, King James I of Scotland returned from captivity in England and took strong measures to restore order in the Highlands. He came to Inverness in 1427 and seized Mary, Countess of Ross and her son Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles as well as many other prominent highlanders who were punished in various ways. Among these no Munros are named. However, there is a "letter of remission", signed under the Great Seal dated 24 August 1428. In the letter twenty eight named individuals are freed for crimes they had committed in the past and the first five names on the list are all Munros.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Munro, R. W. (1978). The Munro Tree 1734. Published in Edinburgh. pp. 3 - on opposite unnumbered page - paragraph L. ISBN 0-9503689-1-1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Mackenzie, Alexander. (1898). History of the Munros of Fowlis. pp. 13 - 17.
  3. 1 2 3 Fraser, C. I of Reelig. (1954). The Clan Munro. Published by Johnston & Bacon of Stirling. pp.17 - 19. ISBN 0-7179-4535-9. Quoting: Hugh MacDonald, Highland Papers, Vol 1, Scottish History Society.
  4. ↑ Monroe, James Phinney. (1900). A Sketch of the Clan Munro and William Munroe, Deported from Scotland, settled in Lexington, Massachusetts. pp. 14.
  5. ↑ The McKean Historical Notes relating to the MacIain MacDonalds of Ardnamurchan, compiled by Fred G. McKean, 1906, at p. 38, refers to the Annals of the Old Abbey of Inis-Macreen and mentions the “great victory” of the Macdonald of Scotland in 1411. The 2011 article by Iain G. MacDonald, Donald of the Isles and the Earldom of Ross: West-Highland Perspectives on the Battle of Harlaw, also records the victory.
  6. ↑ According to Donald Gregory, whose manuscripts are cited in the Highland Papers for May 1914, “Macdonald enjoyed the Earldom of Ross all his lifetime without any competition or trouble…but as long as the king was captive in England, the Duke of Albany the Regent used all his power to oppose him and impair his greatness, being vexed he lost the Battle of Harlaw.” (Highland Papers, vol. 1, at p. 34).
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