Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis facts for kids
Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis, was an important Scottish soldier and leader in the 1300s and 1400s. He was believed to be the 12th chief of the Clan Munro, a powerful family from the Scottish Highlands. Hugh lived at Foulis Castle in Ross-shire, Scotland. While he is traditionally known as the 9th Baron and 12th chief, he is only the second Munro chief whose existence can be proven with records from his time.
Lands and Important Papers
Hugh Munro was the oldest son of Robert de Munro, 8th Baron of Foulis. When his father passed away in 1369, Hugh became the new chief of the clan. His cousin, Uilleam III, Earl of Ross, gave him official documents, called charters, for lands like Katewell and the Tower of Badgarvie. These lands were in the area of Kiltearn.
The next year, in 1370, Hugh received even more lands from the same Earl. These included Inverlael in Loch Broom, Kilmachalmack, Carbisdale, and lands in Kincardine, Sutherland. He was also given the right to fish for salmon in the Kyle of Oykel for himself and his family forever.
In 1379, Euphemia I, Countess of Ross, who was also his cousin, confirmed that Hugh Munro of Foulis owned the lands of Contullich and the Tower of Ardoch (which is now Contullich Castle). Later, in 1394, she gave Hugh two more charters for the "Tower of Strathschech" and "Wesstir Fowlys." These documents showed that Hugh legally owned these important places.
The Battle of Harlaw
In 1411, Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis, joined Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the Isles. Domhnall was the chief of Clan Donald. He wanted to claim his rightful lands in Ross. However, Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, and his nephew, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, disagreed. This disagreement led to a big fight known as the Battle of Harlaw.
The Munros fought alongside the Lord of the Isles' army, which had about 10,000 men. They faced a smaller army of knights led by the Earl of Mar. The Earl was working for the Duke of Albany, who wanted Ross for his own son.
Historians have debated who truly won the battle. Many agree that Donald and his Highlanders were victorious. They still had about 9,100 men on the field when the fighting ended. The Earl of Mar and his men were wounded. The oldest record of the battle is from the Irish Annals of Connacht. It says that in 1411, "Mac Domnaill of Scotland won a great victory over the Galls of Scotland."
The Duke of Albany did not return to the Highlands until 1415. In 1415, he gave Ross to his son, John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Buchan. But this did not last. Donald of Islay's wife, Mariota, was considered the Countess of Ross. Their son, Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross, later held the title.
Family Life
Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis, married Isabelle Keith. She was the daughter of William Keith, 1st Earl Marischal, a very important person in Scotland. Hugh and Isabelle had four children:
- George Munro, 10th Baron of Foulis. He was Hugh's oldest son and became the next chief of the Clan Munro.
- John Munro, 1st of Milntown. He started the Munro of Milntown branch of the clan.
- Janet Munro. She married Malcolm Og MacKintosh, who was from the MacKintoshes of Dunachton, part of Clan Mackintosh.
- Elizabeth Munro. She married Neil MacKay, who was the 8th chief of the Clan MacKay.
Hugh Munro passed away in 1425 and was buried at Chanonry. After Hugh's death, his son George became chief. Around this time, King James I of Scotland returned home after being held captive in England. He worked hard to bring order back to the Highlands. In 1427, he went to Inverness and took Mary, Countess of Ross, and her son Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, into custody. Many other important Highlanders were also disciplined. No Munros were specifically named among those punished. However, there is an official document from August 24, 1428, that pardoned twenty-eight people for things they had done in the past. The first five names on this list were all Munros.
