William Munro, 12th Baron of Foulis facts for kids

Sir William Munro of Foulis was an important Scottish knight and a leader of the highland Clan Munro. He lived a long time ago and died in 1505. People traditionally say he was the 12th Baron of Foulis and the 15th chief of his clan. But historical records show he was actually the 5th chief we have clear proof of.

William's Early Life

William Munro was the oldest son of John Munro, who was an important royal official. When his father passed away, William officially received his family's lands in 1491. This is written in old documents called the Munro Writs of Foulis.

It is believed that King James IV of Scotland made William a knight. He is called "Sir" William in a document from 1503. Sir William Munro was also a high-ranking official for the king in the north of Scotland. He helped the king manage lands and keep the peace in areas like Inverness and Ross.

Clan Battles and Stories

There are two old stories about battles involving the Clan Munro during Sir William's time as chief. Both are called the Battle of Drumchatt. However, there isn't any clear proof from that time that these battles actually happened.

The first story says a battle happened in 1497. Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh rebelled against the king. He marched into Ross-shire. The story says the Munros and Mackenzies, who were friends with the king, defeated him at Drumchatt. Some historians accept this version of events. But another historian from the late 1800s, Alexander Mackenzie, doesn't think the Munros were there.

The second story about Drumchatt is said to have happened in 1501. This one was supposedly between the Munros and the Mackenzies. According to Alexander Mackenzie, Sir William Munro led 900 men to attack the Mackenzies. But he claims only 140 Mackenzies defeated them. Again, there is no historical proof for this story.

The Rebellion of Donald Dubh

In the early 1500s, a chief named Donald Dubh of Clan Donald rebelled against the king. The Clan Donald chiefs had lost their important titles, like Earl of Ross.

Sir William Munro of Foulis was given a special job by the king. He was asked to find "true men" to live on the king's lands in Lochaber and Mamore. This is recorded in a royal document from 1502. Other clan chiefs, like the Earl of Huntly of Clan Gordon and Lord Lovat of Clan Fraser of Lovat, were also told to fight against the rebels.

The chief of Clan Cameron, Cameron of Lochiel, supported the rebel Donald Dubh. Sadly, Sir William Munro was killed by Cameron of Lochiel in a place called Achnashellach in 1505. The Clan Cameron has a tradition that they defeated a combined force of Clan Munro and Clan Mackay at the Battle of Achnashellach.

An old account from the 1600s says that William was killed by trickery. It states he was a "most valiant knight" who died by "treachery" while leading an army for the king. Another historian from the early 1700s also says Cameron killed Munro. This historian added that Munro's "house was surrounded and refused to surrender."

Sir William's Family

Sir William Munro of Foulis married Anne, who was the daughter of Lachlan Og Maclean. Lachlan Og Maclean was the chief of Clan Maclean from Duart Castle.

Sir William and Anne had three children:

• Hector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis (who became the next chief of Clan Munro)
• William Munro, who became a church official in Dingwall
• Margaret Munro