Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis
Encyclopedia
Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis (died September 8, 1547) was a Scottish Highlander, soldier and clan
chief of the 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.
before John Cuthbert, Sheriff of Inverness
and thus inherited his father's lands. Also during 1542 king James V of Scotland
granted Robert the relief of the lands that had belonged to his father.
In 1542 a feud broke out between Donald Mackay of Strathnaver, chief of the Clan Mackay
and John Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland
, the chief of Clan Sutherland
. The feud resulted in the Battle of Alltan-Beath
after which Donald Mackay was captured and imprisoned in the Munro's Foulis Castle
. Some accounts say that he escaped, others that he was released by Robert Munro as the Munros and Mackays had been on good terms for generations.
In 1544 Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis signed a bond of kindess and alliance with Alexander Ross, the chief of the Clan Ross
of Balnagowan. In 1546 Robert Munro, Laird of Foulis received the patronage of the Chaplainory of Obsdale from Angus MacDonald, 7th chief of the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry.
invaded Scotland. All of the Scottish clan chiefs and noblemen were called to Edinburgh. Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis responded to the call and together with the fighting men of his clan he proceeded to Edinburgh
and joined the Scottish army. On the 10th September the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
took place where Robert was killed.
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
chief of the Clan Munro
Clan Munro
-Origins:The main traditional origin of the clan is that the Munros came from Ireland and settled in Scotland in the 11th century and that they fought as mercenary soldiers under the Earl of Ross who defeated Viking invaders in Rosshire...
. He was seated at Foulis Castle
Foulis Castle
Foulis Castle lies in the parish of Kiltearn, about 1.5 miles southwest of the village of Evanton in the Highland area of northern Scotland. The castle has been the seat of the Clan Munro for over eight hundred years. During the 11th century, the clan chief was given the castle and Foulis lands as...
. 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.
Lands and Charters
On 22nd May 1542 Robert was served heir to his father Hector Munro, 13th Baron of FoulisHector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis
Hector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis was a Scottish clan chief of the highland Clan Munro in Rosshire. He is by tradition 13th Baron of Foulis and 16th overall chief of the clan. He is however only the 6th chief of the Clan Munro who can be proved by contemporary evidence.-Lands and charters:Hector...
before John Cuthbert, Sheriff of Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
and thus inherited his father's lands. Also during 1542 king James V of Scotland
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
granted Robert the relief of the lands that had belonged to his father.
In 1542 a feud broke out between Donald Mackay of Strathnaver, chief of the Clan Mackay
Clan MacKay
Clan Mackay is an ancient and once powerful Scottish clan from the far north of the Scottish Highlands, but with roots in the old kingdom of Moray. They were a powerful force in politics beginning in the 14th century, supporting Robert the Bruce. In the centuries that followed they were...
and John Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland
Earl of Sutherland
Earl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia. The Earl of Sutherland is also the Chief of Clan Sutherland...
, the chief of Clan Sutherland
Clan Sutherland
Clan Sutherland is a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional territory is located in the region of Sutherland in northern highlands of Scotland and was one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The clan seat is at Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland...
. The feud resulted in the Battle of Alltan-Beath
Battle of Alltan-Beath
The Battle of Alltan-Beath also known as the Battle of Ailtan-Beath was a Scottish clan battle said to have taken place in the year 1542 in the village of Knockarthur , in Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands...
after which Donald Mackay was captured and imprisoned in the Munro's Foulis Castle
Foulis Castle
Foulis Castle lies in the parish of Kiltearn, about 1.5 miles southwest of the village of Evanton in the Highland area of northern Scotland. The castle has been the seat of the Clan Munro for over eight hundred years. During the 11th century, the clan chief was given the castle and Foulis lands as...
. Some accounts say that he escaped, others that he was released by Robert Munro as the Munros and Mackays had been on good terms for generations.
In 1544 Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis signed a bond of kindess and alliance with Alexander Ross, the chief of the Clan Ross
Clan Ross
Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan. The original chiefs of the clan were the original Earls of Ross.-Origins:Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan first named as such by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1160...
of Balnagowan. In 1546 Robert Munro, Laird of Foulis received the patronage of the Chaplainory of Obsdale from Angus MacDonald, 7th chief of the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry.
Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
In early September 1547 Englishman Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of SomersetEdward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset
Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, 1st Earl of Hertford, 1st Viscount Beauchamp of Hache, KG, Earl Marshal was Lord Protector of England in the period between the death of Henry VIII in 1547 and his own indictment in 1549....
invaded Scotland. All of the Scottish clan chiefs and noblemen were called to Edinburgh. Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis responded to the call and together with the fighting men of his clan he proceeded to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and joined the Scottish army. On the 10th September the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, on the banks of the River Esk near Musselburgh, Scotland on 10 September 1547, was part of the War of the Rough Wooing. It was the last pitched battle between Scottish and English armies, and is seen as the first modern battle in the British Isles...
took place where Robert was killed.
Family and descendants
Robert married Margaret Dunbar, only daughter of Sir Alexander Dunbar, Sheriff of Morayshire. They had seven children who produced many of the important branches of the Clan Munro.- Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of FoulisRobert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of FoulisRobert 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...
. (heir and successor). - Hector Munro, 1st of ContullichContullich CastleContullich Castle was a castle located a few miles north-west of the town of Alness, on the eastern side of the county of Ross-shire, Scotland....
, Gildermorie and Fyrish. From who descend the Monro of Fyrish branch who were a distinguished family of physicians. - Hugh Munro 1st, of Assynt, whose third son was Reverend John Munro of Tain.
- George Munro, 1st of Katewell. According to historian Alexander Mackenzie this George Munro was killed alongside his father in battle in 1547. However the evidence is against this because the same historian quotes a charter granted to Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron in 1563 which was witnessed by his brother George, proving that George was still alive years after the battle. James MonroeJames MonroeJames Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
, fifth president of the United States was descended from the Munro of Katewell branch of the clan. DNA testing of a living male relative of President James Monroe has confirmed the president's ancestral connection to the Munro chiefs. - Catherine Munro.
- Janet Munro.