William Cleireach MacLeod facts for kids

William Cleireach MacLeod (whose name in Scottish Gaelic is Uilleam Cléireach MacLeòid) lived from about 1365 to 1402. He was the 5th Chief of Clan MacLeod. William was a younger son of the previous chief, Iain Ciar. He was first meant to join the church, which is why he was called 'Cleireach' (meaning 'clerk' or 'cleric').

However, his older brother died, and William Cleireach became the next in line to be chief. As chief, he led his clan in battles. He attacked the Frasers and protected his lands from the MacDonalds. William Cleireach did not live a very long life. It is said he was buried on the island of Iona, just like the chiefs before him.

William's Early Life and Rise to Chief

The Bannatyne manuscript is an old document that tells us about William Cleireach. It says he was the second son of Iain Ciar. Iain Ciar was the fourth chief of Clan MacLeod.

William Cleireach was educated in a monastery in another country. He was preparing to become a churchman, which is why people called him "the clerk". But his older brother was killed at a feast. After this sad event, William Cleireach came back home. Since he was Iain Ciar's only son left, William Cleireach became chief when his father died in 1392.

Battles and Land Disputes

The Bannatyne manuscript explains that when William Cleireach became chief, the MacLeods and Frasers were already fighting. This had been going on for many years. Because of this, William led his clan to attack the Fraser lands in Aird. The MacLeods won this fight and took a lot of treasure from the area.

Fighting the MacDonalds

According to R.C. MacLeod, a clan historian from the early 1900s, the first big fight between the MacLeods and MacDonalds happened when William Cleireach was chief.

The islands of Skye and Lewis were once part of the Earldom of Ross. This meant the Earl of Ross was the boss of the MacLeods on those islands. But in 1335, these lands were given to John MacDonald. He later became the Lord of the Isles. In 1344, the gift of Lewis was confirmed. However, Skye went back to the Earl of Ross.

When William Cleireach became chief in 1392, he had three different bosses for his lands. For Glenelg, he was a vassal (a loyal follower) of the king of Scots. For some parts of Skye, he was a vassal of the Lord of the Isles. For other parts of Skye, he was a vassal of the Earl of Ross.

Things got even more confusing. Donald, who became Lord of the Isles in 1380, said that Skye was given to him when he married the Earl of Ross's daughter. Because of this, he claimed William Cleireach was his vassal on both Harris and Skye.

The Battle of Loch Sligachan

Ruinous Castle Camus.

The MacDonalds, led by Alasdair (who was the brother of the Lord of the Isles), landed their forces at Eynort. William Cleireach and his MacLeod warriors met the MacDonalds at the top of Loch Sligachan.

The old manuscript says there was a very bloody battle. The MacLeods won, and their leader, Alasdair, was killed. He was slain by Tormod Coil, who was William Cleireach's cousin. After the battle, William Cleireach shared all the captured goods among his followers.

William's Death and Burial

The Bannatyne manuscript tells us that William Cleireach did not live for very long. He died quite young at Castle Camus in Sleat. The manuscript says he was buried on the special island of Iona. This likely happened around the year 1402.

William's Family

The Bannatyne manuscript says that William Cleireach was well-liked by his clan. He was said to have had many children outside of marriage. Their families were still around when the manuscript was written, which was around the 1830s.

The manuscript described two of his twin sons as being like the "Castor and Pollux of the islanders." This means they were very important and famous.

William Cleireach married a daughter of MacLean of Duart. He had three sons with her:

• John, who became the next chief.
• Tormod.
• George.

The manuscript says that the "Mac Vic Williams" family came from Tormod. Some of this family lived in North Carolina. Another family, called "Mac Vic Alastair Ruaidh," came from Tormod's second son. The head of this family lived on St Kilda. A famous poet named Mairi nighean Alasdair Ruaidh was part of this family.

William's third son, George, traveled abroad and settled in Lorraine. In 1758, a report about George's descendants was sent to a MacLeod in Britain. This report said that George's family was known as "de Leod" and "Von Leod" in Europe. Some of them owned land before the French Revolution.