Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis facts for kids

Robert Mor Munro (died 1588) was an important Scottish clan leader in the 1500s. He was the 15th Baron of Foulis and the 18th chief of the Clan Munro. People called him Robert Mor because he was very tall and big. He was the oldest son of Robert Munro, the 14th Baron of Foulis. Even though he's known as the 15th Baron, he's the 8th chief whose leadership can be proven with records from that time.

Robert Mor Munro's Land Deals and Agreements

In 1550, Robert Mor Munro made a special agreement called a "bond of manrent" with George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, who was the chief of Clan Gordon. This agreement meant they promised to be friends and support each other. However, later on, Robert Mor Munro chose to support Mary, Queen of Scots in her disagreements with the Gordon family.

In 1552, Robert Mor Munro sold some land in Wester Fowlis to Margaret Ogilvie. She was the widow of William Mackintosh, the 15th chief of Clan Mackintosh. In 1553, Queen Mary also gave Margaret Ogilvie a royal document for the same lands. Robert Mor Munro later married Margaret Ogilvie, which brought these lands back into his family.

Supporting Mary, Queen of Scots

Robert Mor Munro was a strong supporter and loyal friend of Mary, Queen of Scots. Because of his loyalty, her son, King James VI, treated him well. A historian named George Buchanan wrote that when Queen Mary went to Inverness in 1562, the gates of Inverness Castle were closed to her. Many important Scots, especially the Frasers and Munros, quickly came to help her. These two clans were known as the bravest in the north.

The Frasers and Munros helped the Queen take Inverness Castle. The Queen later had the governor, a Gordon who had refused her entry, punished. Some sources say that Clan Munro also helped Mary, Queen of Scots win the Battle of Corrichie in 1562 against the Earl of Huntly. In 1563, Robert Mor Munro received a special document at Foulis Castle. His brother, George Munro, and his great-uncle, William Munro, were witnesses.

Later, in 1567, Robert was part of a group that confirmed John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland as the heir to his grandmother, Elizabeth Sutherland. John was the first Gordon to become the Earl of Sutherland.

Conflicts and Agreements with Other Clans

In 1569, a conflict started between the Clan Mackenzie and Clan Munro. By this time, both were very powerful clans in Ross-shire. Andrew Munro, 5th of Milntown defended Castle Chanonry of Ross for three years against the Clan Mackenzie. He had received the castle from Regent Moray, who died in 1569. Many lives were lost on both sides during this conflict. The feud ended when the castle was given to the Mackenzies as part of a peace agreement.

Around 1577 or 1578, another disagreement happened with the Mackenzies. This was about land near Beauly Priory. Colin Cam Mackenzie, 11th of Kintail wanted to take these lands. Thomas Fraser of Knockie, who was looking after Lord Lovat's affairs, gathered his forces at Beauly. Robert Mor Munro, who was a friend of Fraser, brought 300 of his followers to the River Conon. This large group of people made Mackenzie nervous, and he decided to talk things over peacefully instead of fighting.

Robert Mor Munro's Role as Sheriff

In 1571, King James VI of Scotland gave Robert Mor Munro all the belongings of Duncan Chalmers. Chalmers had run away from the law after the Battle of Langside and for killing some people. As a reward for his loyal service to the King, Robert Mor Munro received a special grant in 1572. This grant allowed him to collect taxes from the town and Sheriffdom of Inverness.

Robert Mor Munro was also one of the people chosen to act as Sheriffs of Inverness in 1573. Their job was to help Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland. Other important members of this group included Mackenzie of Kintail, Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat, and Lachlan Mor Mackintosh, 16th of Mackintosh. While King James VI was still young (before 1578), Robert Mor Munro and Munro of Milntown were in charge of the King's lands in Ross and the Black Isle.

In 1584, King James II of Scotland confirmed another special document for Robert Munro of Foulis. In 1585, Robert Mor Munro signed another agreement, this time with George Gordon, 1st Marquess of Huntly. They promised to help each other as allies against anyone, except the King or Queen.

On May 6, 1588, Robert Mor Munro of Foulis was listed with other highland chiefs in a grant to protect Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland's church lands. Other chiefs included Gordon of Huntly, Mackenzie of Kintail, Rose of Kilravock, Fraser of Lovat, Grant of Freuchie, and Ross of Balnagowan.

On July 20, 1588, the King appointed Robert Mor Munro of Foulis to collect a tax in Inverness-shire, which included Ross. This tax was for repairing Edinburgh Castle. A few days later, on July 27, Robert Mor Munro of Foulis and Colin Cam Mackenzie of Kintail were made Commissioners for Inverness and Cromarty. Their job was to improve how justice was managed in these areas.

Robert Mor Munro's Family

Robert Mor Munro married twice. His first wife was Margaret Ogilvie, the daughter of the chief of Clan Ogilvy. Later, he married Kathrine Ross, a daughter of the chief of Clan Ross of Balnagowan. Robert had 13 children in total from both marriages. He passed away on November 4, 1588, at Foulis Castle.

His oldest son from his first marriage, Robert Munro, became the 16th Baron of Foulis. However, in the next century, the leaders of the Foulis family and the chiefs of Clan Munro would come from the children of his second marriage.

Here are his children from his marriage to Margaret Ogilvie:

• Robert Munro, 16th Baron of Foulis.
• Hugh Munro.
• Hector Munro, 17th Baron of Foulis, whose son was Robert Munro, 18th Baron of Foulis (known as The Black Baron).
• Florence Munro, who married Roderick Mackenzie of Redcastle.
• Christian Munro.
• Cathrine Munro, who married William Ballie, a leader in Inverness.

Here are his children from his marriage to Kathrine Ross:

• George Munro, 1st of Obsdale, whose grandson would later become the head of the Foulis family: See: Sir Robert Munro, 3rd Baronet of Foulis.
• John Munro, 1st of Meikle Daan.
• Andrew Munro, 1st of Lemlair.
• Margaret Munro, who married Colin Campbell of Ardbreath.
• Janet Munro, who married James Innes of Inverbreakie.
• Marjory Munro, who married James Hepburn, a merchant in Inverness.
• Elizabeth Munro, who married a minister in Kiltearn in Ross-shire.

Some important people in the 1600s who were descendants of Robert Mor Munro include General Robert Monro and George Munro, 1st of Newmore, who were both from the Obsdale branch of the clan. Also, John Munro of Lemlair was a descendant.