Robert Monro facts for kids

Robert Monro (died 1680) was a famous Scottish General. He came from the Clan Munro in Ross-shire, Scotland. He led soldiers in the Swedish army during the Thirty Years' War. He also fought for the Scottish Covenanters in the Bishop's Wars in Scotland. Later, he commanded the Scottish Covenanter army during the Irish Confederate Wars. Monro wrote a diary about his experiences in the Thirty Years' War. It was published as Monro, His Expedition With the Worthy Scots Regiment Called Mac-Keys.

Early Life and Family

Robert Monro was the second son of George Munro. His grandfather was Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis, who was the chief of Clan Munro. Because he was from a younger branch of the Munro of Obsdale family, he was sometimes called Robert Monro of Obsdale. He lived at Contullich Castle.

Fighting in the Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years' War was a big conflict in Europe. Robert Monro became a lieutenant in a Scottish regiment. This group was formed by Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay. They joined the Bohemian army. Monro and his cousin, Robert Munro, 18th Baron of Foulis, sailed from Cromarty in Scotland. They arrived in Glückstadt on the River Elbe in 1626.

First Battles

In 1627, Monro's regiment fought near Hamburg. The Scots won a tough battle against many enemies. They managed to take their guns and supplies with them.

Monro was later wounded in a fight at the Pass in Oldenburg. He got a "favourable mark" on his knee. His weapon was broken by a cannonball. His older brother, John Munro, fought bravely and was not hurt. The Danes were defeated. Monro then helped his men escape by ship from more enemy soldiers.

Defending Stralsund

In 1628, Robert Monro was a major. He and his cousin, Robert Munro, helped defend the town of Stralsund during a long siege. They held the town for six weeks against the Imperialists. On June 26, the Imperialist General, Albrecht von Wallenstein, arrived. The defenders expected a big attack.

The attack happened that night. It was aimed at the area guarded by Highlanders under Major Monro. The enemy had over a thousand men. The Highlanders fought for an hour and a half and pushed them back. The Imperialists kept attacking until morning. They broke into the outer defenses but were finally forced back by the Highlanders. The Imperialists lost over a thousand men. The Highlanders lost almost two hundred.

Help arrived when Alexander Leslie came with Scottish, Swedish, and German soldiers. Leslie took charge of the city's defenses. He used the Highlanders in a surprise attack that ended the siege. Monro wrote that Leslie wanted to give the credit to his own Scottish soldiers. After this, Major Robert Monro was promoted to lieutenant-colonel.

Holding Schivelbein Castle

In 1630, the Scottish Highlanders marched to Schivelbein (now Świdwin). This was a small fort in Pomerania. They were told to stop the Austrians from helping another town. The Highlanders had to hold the castle to the very end.

Monro's Memoirs mention how well they did this. Five hundred Highlanders under Monro held out against 8,000 Imperialist soldiers.

Taking Neubrandenburg

In January 1631, the King and Colonel Monro attacked Neubrandenburg (New Brandenburg). The Highlanders quickly stormed the palace. They forced the defenders to leave the town. The Austrian defenders asked for a truce, which was granted.

Monro said the enemy soldiers were a "brave little band." They were allowed to leave with their belongings and weapons. The Swedish King left a small group of soldiers in the town.

Battles of Frankfurt and Leipzig

Robert Monro later fought in the Battle of Frankfurt on the Oder. He also fought in the Battle of Breitenfeld in Leipzig in 1631. The Scots and Swedes won both of these battles. However, the Swedish army was later defeated at the Battle of Nördlingen (1634). Robert Monro survived this battle and returned to Scotland. He went back to serve the Swedish army in May 1637 with new soldiers.

The Bishops' Wars in Scotland

Robert Monro returned to Scotland around 1638. He took part in the early events of the Bishops Wars. These were conflicts against King Charles I. He also served the Scottish Covenanters during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

In 1638, Monro captured Dalkeith with 500 men. In 1639, he was with Alexander Leslie when they took Edinburgh Castle. General Robert Monro also attacked Spynie Palace. He forced Bishop John Guthrie to give up. This ended Spynie Palace's role as a center of power.

In 1640, General Monro also attacked Drum Castle. This castle belonged to the royalist Clan Irvine. It surrendered after two days. He also took Huntly Castle from the Clan Gordon. Monro also led the forces that left Inchdrewer Castle in ruins.

The Irish Confederate Wars

Fighting in Ulster

In 1642, Monro went to Ireland. He was second in command, but really led the Scottish army. This army was sent to stop the Catholic Irish rebels. These rebels had attacked Scottish settlers in Ulster during the Irish Rebellion of 1641.

Monro's fighting in Ireland was mostly in Ulster. He captured and looted Newry in April 1642. He also captured the Earl of Antrim, Randal MacDonnell, at Dunluce Castle.

When Owen Roe O'Neill arrived in Ireland, the rebels became stronger. They formed Confederate Ireland. Monro's army did not have enough supplies. Also, the English Civil War was causing problems. King Charles wanted to make peace with the Catholic rebels. He hoped they would help him against the English Parliament. The Earl of Ormonde, who worked for King Charles in Ireland, signed a truce with the Catholic Confederates in 1643.

Conflict in Ulster Continues

Monro's plan was very tough against O'Neill. Many innocent people were killed on both sides. O'Neill fought a guerrilla war in Ulster. Monro, with more soldiers, destroyed castles and villages. Some stories say he destroyed much of Antrim and Down. This is sometimes called a "scorched earth policy." Monro attacked and took Newry in 1642. He also took Belfast in 1644. After Newry, Robert Monro ended the Siege of Coleraine. This town later became a main military center.

Belfast Captured

Monro was in Ulster. He had his orders from the Scottish Parliament, which the Covenanters controlled. He did not accept the truce. His soldiers agreed to the Solemn League and Covenant. Many English soldiers left Ormonde to join Monro. In April 1644, the English Parliament put Monro in charge of all forces in Ulster. He then took Belfast. He also raided into the Pale but failed to take Dundalk and Drogheda. In response, the Irish Confederates sent soldiers to Scotland. They joined the Scottish Royalists there under James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose.

Battle of Benburb

Monro's army became weaker because he had to send soldiers to Scotland. They went to fight Montrose. Meanwhile, Owen Roe O'Neill got more supplies from the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Giovanni Battista Rinuccini. On June 5, 1646, the Battle of Benburb was fought. It was on the Blackwater River. O'Neill defeated Monro's Scottish army. Over 2,000 Scottish soldiers died. However, Monro was able to retreat safely to Carrickfergus.

At Carrickfergus Castle

In 1647, Ormonde had to make a deal with the English Parliament. Monro supported the royalist "Engager" movement. He sent soldiers under his nephew George Munro, 1st of Newmore back to Scotland. They went to help the Engagers against the English Parliamentarians.

The Scots under Monro held out strongly at Carrickfergus. They refused to give up Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast. George Monck's forces attacked them. In September 1648, Carrickfergus was given to Monck by betrayal. Some of Monro's officers helped Monck. As a result, Monro was captured. He was sent to the Tower of London. He stayed there for five years.

In 1654, Oliver Cromwell allowed him to live in Ireland. He had land there through his wife. She was the widow of Hugh Montgomery, 2nd Viscount Montgomery of Ardes. Monro lived quietly near Comber, County Down, for many years. He likely died there around 1680.

Family Life

Robert Monro married Lady Jean Alexander after 1642. She was the daughter of William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling. She was also the widow of Viscount Montgomery. He is known to have had at least two children:

• Andrew Monroe, a colonel who was killed at the Siege of Limerick (1690).
• Ann Monro, who married her cousin, George Munro, 1st of Newmore.

See also

• A Legend of Montrose, a 19th-century novel by Walter Scott. One character, Dugald Dalgetty, is partly based on Monro.
• "The Battle of Benburb", an Irish song about Monro's defeat in 1646.