William Calder

Notes:

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 28

"John Married Finvola, daughter of William Calder, Thane of Cawdor, 1442-1468, and Crown-Chamberlain "beyond the Spey," with issue--"

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Foulis

Family/Spouse: John Munro, XI of Foulis. John (son of George Munro, X of Foulis and Christian McCulloch, of Plaids) was born about 1437; died in 1490 in Katewell, , , Scotland; was buried in Fortrose, , Ross And Cromarty, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William may have been named after his maternal grandfather. He is the only Munro Chief named William.

He may have been knighted by King James IV for his faithful services to the Crown. He appears as Sir William in a local document of 1503, but not in later national records. He was appointed Justiciar within the sheriffdom of Inverness during the early part of the reign of King James IV, and was present at a Court held at Inverness on 11 Feb 1499.

In the execution of his duties as Justiciar, Sir William came into collision with Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch, resulting in the disastrous battle of Druim-a-chait.

Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail married Margaret, daughter of Macdonald of Isla, by whom he had a son Kenneth. In consequence of a quarrel with her relatives, he sent her away and took as his second wife, Agnes, daughter of Lord Lovat, by whom he had four sons and two daughters. There was no regular marriage ceremony between the two, and had there been, it would have made no difference, as Margaret of Isla, from whom he had not been lawfully divorced was still alive.

Kenneth, the younger, succeeded his father in 1491, but was killed in 1497 in the Torwood by the Laird of Buchanan. He died unmarried and was succeeded by his half-brother, John, eldest son of his father by Agnes Fraser. The great body of the clan, knowing that Agnes was not regularly married, did not look upon John as the legitimate heir. His uncle, Hector Roy Mackenzie, of Gairloch, also objected to John's succession on the ground that he was the illegitimate sone of Lord Lovat's daughter, "with whom his father Kenneth at first did so irregularly and unlawfully cohabit."

Hugh Lord Lovat took up the cause of his nephew, John, and procured from James Stewart, Duke of Ross and Archbishop of St. Andrews, a precept of clare constat in favor of John as heir to the estates. The document is dated "the last day of April, 1500." However, Hector Roy kept possession of the estates and treated them as his own.

Sir William Munro of Foulis, the Duke of Ross' lieutenant for the forfeited Earldom of Ross, was dissatisfied with Hector Roy's conduct and in 1501, resolved to punish him. Sir William was in the habit of doing things with a high hand, and on this occasion, during Hector's absence from home, he and his Sheriff, Alexander Vass, went to Kinellan, where Hector usually resided, held a court at the place, and as a fine, took away the couples of one of Hector's barns to show his power.

When Hector Roy discovered what had taken place during his absence, he became furious and sent a message to Sir William to the effect that if he were a man of courage he would come and take away the couples of the other barn when their owner was at home.

Sir William, highly incensed at this message, determined to accept the challenge. He promptly collected 900 of his followers, including the Dingwalls and the MacCullochs, who were then his dependents. With this force, he set out for Kinellan, where he arrived much sooner than expected by Hector Roy, who hurriedly collected all the men he could in the neighborhood. Mackenzie had no time to advise his Kintail men, nor those at a distance from Kinellan, and was consequently unable to muster more than a hundred and forty men.

With this small force, Hector wisely deemed it imprudent to venture on a regular battle, but decided on a different stratagem. Having supplied his little but resolute band with provisions for twenty hours, he led them secretly during the night to the top of Knock Farrel, a place where Sir William must pass in his march to and from Kinellan.

Early the next morning, Foulis marched past, quite ignorant of Hector's position, as he expected him to be waiting at Kinellan. Sir William was allowed to pass unmolested. On arriving at Kinellan he found the place deserted, and, supposing Hector had fled, he proceeded to demolish the barn, ordered its couples to be carried away, broke all the utensils about the place, and drove away all the cattle as trophies of his visit.

In the evening, he returned, as Hector had conjectured, carring the plunder in front of his party, accompanied by a strong guard, while he placed the rest of his picked men in the rear, fearing that Hector might pursue him, little imagining that he was waiting ahead.

Hector Roy, from the top of the hill, watched them as they rounded the curve where the highway touched the shoulder of the hill. He allowed them to pass him until the rear was within musket shot. He then ordered his men to charge, which they did with such impetuosity that most of the enemy were cut to pieces before they were fully aware of what was happening.

The groans of the dying in the twilight, the uncertainty as well as the unexpectedness of the attack, frightened the survivors so much that they fled in confusion, in spite of every attempt on the part of Sir William, who was in front in charge of the spoil and its guard, to stop them. Those flying in disorder from the rear soon confused those in front, and the result was a complete rout. Hector Mackenzie's men followed the fugitives, killing everyone they overtook, for it was ordered that no quarter should be given to such a number, who might turn around, attack and defeat their pursuers.

In the retreat almost all the men of the Clans Dingwall and MacCulloch, were slain as well as many Munros. A large number of men were killed at one spot on the edge of the hill where Hector Roy's men were armed with claymores and battle axes. Many heads of the slain tumbled down the hill and into a well, where nineteen heads were later counted. For many decades, the well was called "Tobar nan Ceann," or the Fountain of the heads.

This conflict, which was fought in 1501, became known as the Battle of Druim-a-Chait, or the Battle of Cat Ridge.

Sir William is said to have been killed in the prime of life, in 1505, at a place called Achnashellach or Achnaskellach, in Lochaber, by Ewen "MacAlein Mhic Dhomh'uill Duibh" of Lochiel. The raid is described in "Lochiel's Memoirs" as follows:

"Besides the other wars wherein Lochiel was engaged, he had also a ruffle with the Baron of Reay, Chief of the Mackays, a people living many miles north of Lochaber. What the quarrel was I know not, but it drew on an invasion from the Camerons, and that an engagement wherein the Mackays were defeated and the Laird of Fowlis, Chief of the Munros, who assisted them, was killed upon the spot."

In 1502, a Royal commission had been given to the Earl of Huntly, Thomas fourth Lord Lovat, and Sir William Munro of Foulis to "proceed to Lochaber and let the King's lands of Lochaber and Mamore for the space of five years to true men." This is what probably led to the raid and the collision with the Camerons in which Sir William was slain.

**********
The following is from «u»The Monroe Book«/u» p. 6:

«i»He «/i»[John Munro, XI of Foulis] «i»died in 1490 and was succeeded by Sir William, knighted by James IV, who is said to have married Anna MacLean (Anna, daughter of Laird of McLean) and to have been killed in 1505 in a raid assisting the Chief of the MacKays. He had also been in the unfortunate battle of Druim-a-chat in 1501.
«/i»**********

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Fowlis

William married Anne McLean in 1479 in , , , Scotland. Anne (daughter of Lachlan Og MacLean and Catherine Campbell) was born in 1460; died in 1495. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - N

"...Statements that John's son William had brother-german Thomas (Fraser-Mackintosh's Invernessiana 179, Mackenzie 28) are said to be based on a Dunbar/Mackintosh agreement (Family of Innes 125-6 from Hempriggs charters)."

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 28

"2. Thomas, described in a document dated the 20th of June, 1499, as "Thomas Munro, brother german to William of Fowis," but there is no further trace of him. (Invernessiana, p. 179.)"

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Notes:

Hector succeeded his father when he was still a child. His estates were managed by some of his relatives until he reached majority in about 1514. At that time, Hector and John Mackenzie of Kintail were temporarily appointed by an act of the Privy Council, Lieutenants of Wester Ross to protect that district from the incursion of Sir Donald Macdonald of Lochalsh, who had proclaimed himself Lord of the Isles.

Donald Macdonald of Lochalsh died before August 1519, and on 2 October 1524, his sister, Margaret Macdonald of the Isles issued a charter granting Hector Munro several pieces of land in Breachatt. These grants were given with the consent of Margaret's husband, Alexander Macdonald of Glengarry and were confirmend by King James V by charter dated at Stirling on 20 Apr 1541.

On 30 Apr 1527, at Inverness, Hector entered into a bond of friendship and mutual defense with the Knight of Cawdor Castle and others. A similar contract was signed by Hector and Hugh, fifth Lord Lovat on 19 Mar 1529.

Hector was married twice, but had children only by his first wife. He also had three illegitimate sons who became heads of large families, and to whom were granted portions of land in Ross-shire.

Hector died at Carbisdale (later called Culrain), in the parish of Kincardine in 1541, when he was about 50 years old. He was buried in the ancestral burying-ground in the Chanonry of Ross.

**********
The following is from «u»The Monroe Book«/u» p. 6:

«i»William's son Hector had extensive lands confirmed to him as thirteenth Baron by James V a Stirling in 1541 and died in the same year.
«/i»**********

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Died:
Carbisdale was later renamed Culrain.

Buried:
Hector was buried at the Chanonry of Ross.

Family/Spouse: Katherine MacKenzie. Katherine (daughter of Sir Kenneth MacKenzie and Agnes Fraser) was born in 1489; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Katherine MacLeod. Katherine was born about 1493; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Catherine Bailzie. Catherine was born about 1482; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

This may be the William who had the chaplainary of Balcony and was vicar of Dingwall.

Ref: The Munro Tree (1734) - O

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - O

"Sir William Munro of Fowlis married Anne daughter to the Laird of McLean by whom he had Hector William and Margaret being Justiciary and Lieutenant of Inverness and Earldom of Ross he was killed at Achnaselach by Locheal 1505."

"...Younger son may be William who had chaplainry of Balcony and was vicar of Dingwall (RSS 2 May 1551 & 2 Oct 1565, FW 78, Mackenzie 33, 46)..."

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 33, 46

"2. William, who entered the Church. He appears as Vicar of Dingwall between 1561 and 1566, but an Exhorter was nominated as his successor in 1569. In 1551 Queen Mary presented him to the Chaplainry of Saint Monan, on the lands of Balconie, vacant by the death of John Munro, eldest son of Hugh Munro of Coul. Between 1561 and 1566 the Chaplainry of Saint Monan was still held by William Munro, minister of Dingwall, apparently the same William as Queen Mary's presentee of 1551. He died about 1566, certainly before 1569.

In 1563 a charter was granted to Robert, at Fowlis, by his grand-uncle, William Munro, Vicar of Dingwall. (Register of the Great Seal, Lib. xxxii., Nos. 593-594, and Register of the Privy Seal, vol. xxxi., folios 98 and 99.)"

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Notes:

Margaret married Alexander Mackenzie of Davachmaluach, son of Kenneth of Kintail.

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - O

Ref: "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro - O

"Sir William Munro of Fowlis married Anne daughter to the Laird of McLean by whom he had Hector William and Margaret being Justiciary and Lieutenant of Inverness and Earldom of Ross he was killed at Achnaselach by Locheal 1505."

"...dr Margaret m Alexander Mackenzie of Davachmaluach son of Kenneth of Kintail (Macfarlane's Gen. Colls i 78)."

Ref: "History of the Munros" by A. Mackenzie - p. 33-34, 36

"3. Margaret, who married Alexander Mackenzie, I. of Davochmaluag, with issue--1. Roderick, who succeeded his father; 2, Hector, who was three times married and left many descendants, a large number of whom are represented in the present day; 3, Elizabeth, who married James Fraser, I. of Belladrum, with issue; and 4, another, who married William Ross, I. of Invercharron, who in 1605 received a remission for "being act and part in the murder in June, 1593, of two savages called Gilliechrist MacCondachie and Alexander, his son." By Miss Mackenzie, William Ross had three sons and one daughter--(1) Alexander, his successor,...(2) Hugh Ross; (3) John Ross; (4) Euffom, who married the Rev. Hector Munro, I. of Daan, with issue. William Ross of Invercharron, who is described in the "Kalender of Fearn" as "ane honorable man," died on 13th of October, 1622, and was buried at Kincardine...

Hector's sister was the wife of Alexander Mackenzie, I. of Davochmaluag, second son of Sir Kenneth."

The Bush reference says that Margaret was the same person as Margaret [12477].

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Family/Spouse: Alexander MacKenzie, IV Of Doch. Alexander was born est 1490 in Strathpeffer, Highlands, , Scotland; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]