Ian MacLeod
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Ian MacLeod (abt. 1390 - abt. 1442)

Ian "Iain Borb" MacLeod aka Chief of Clan MacLeod
Born about in Dunvegan Castle, Skye, Scotlandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Brother of [half]
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Died about at about age 52 in Pabbay, Harris, Scotlandmap
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Profile last modified | Created 12 Feb 2015
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Preceded by
William Cleireach MacLeod
6th Chief of MacLeod
1402-1442
Succeeded by
William Uilleam Dubh MacLeod

Contents

Biography

Ian Borb (John the Turbulent) was born about 1392. Much of what is written in this bio is derived from R.C. MacLeod's work where he is found between pages 60 and 67.[1] He has a page on wikipedia

Ian was born into the time of the wars between the MacLeod and the MacDonald. Donald MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, seemed bent on increasing his clan lands and recreating the Kingdom of the Isles, by force if necessary. After the ceding of the lands by Norway, in 1265 at the Treaty of Perth, the northern isles, Skye and Lewis included, were, in the main, held as part of the Earldom of Ross. However, in 1335, a charter had been granted of both these islands to John of Islay, afterwards the first Lord of the Isles. In 1344 the grant of Lewis was confirmed but Skye reverted to the Earl of Ross. When Robert Stewart ascended the throne as Robert II, in 1371, the island of Harris, along with the lands of Moidart, Arisaig, Morar, Knoydart, Uist, Barra, Rum and Eigg, were granted to John Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, by Robert II, as part of the arrangement surrounding his daughter's, Margaret, marriage to John MacDonald.

Thus, when William succeeded in 1392, he held his estates under three feudal superiors. In Glenelg he was a tenant in capite (to the King) under a charter of 1342; in Harris he was a vassal of the Lord of the Isles, in Skye a vassal of the Earl of Ross. However Donald, in 1380, likely at the time of his marriage, maintained that he had been given Skye as the marriage portion for his wife, Mary Leslie, daughter to the Countess of Ross.

Donald MacDonald was more aggressive and less politically astute than his father. He made a grant of Harris, the North Isle, and part of Skye to Ranald, second son of John Macdonald and Amy Macruari, ancestors of the Clan Ranald family, the disinherited brothers. Nominally the charter only conveyed the feudal superiority but in reality it was intended to convey the actual possession of the land, and the real object of the attacks made by the Macdonalds against the Macleods was to secure this. At this time the MacLeods were fighting for their very existence. Donald invaded Skye, 1395, and his army, under a brother, Alastair, were slaughtered by the Macleods, under William Cleireach Macleod, Ian's father, at the battle of Loch Sligachan, on Skye.

Ian was about 10 when his father died. The clan was put under the custodianship of another Ian MacLeod (apparently a cousin of the Chief although the historian does not provide which). This Ian earned the nickname 'Mishealbhach,' or the Unlucky. Unfortunate more likely. He held the office of guardian for six years, and during that period "the MacLeods of Skye and Harris met with more disasters, and were reduced lower than at any other period of their history". We are advised that the Clan wished for Tormod Coil, the man that killed "Alastair Carroch" at the battle of Loch Sligachan. However Tormod Coil seized the MacLeod portion of Glenelg (the part held to the Crown), and refused to obey the guardian. The historian does not mention who this person is. We can presume it is one of the MacLeods of Dunvegan we know his father was Murdoch but not who his father might have been. Alastair Carroch is certainly not believed, in the MacDonald histories to have died on Skye in 1395.

However, this weakness in the leadership of the Clan provided Donald MacDonald with the opportunity to invade Skye again. Which he did, about 1405. He landed in Sleat and took possession of the castles of Dunskaith and Camus, and drove out the MacLeods from Sleat. They invaded North Uist, a great battle was fought at Cailus, North Uist, in which the MacLeods were totally defeated, and the portion of North Uist which pertained to Harris was wrested from them. Much of the clan leadership retreated to Pabbay on Harris.

Legend provides that Dunvegan was still held by the widow of the late chief, William, who was a daughter to MacLean of Duart, and the reason for a significant partnership between the two clans. Ian was with her. Torquil MacLeod of Lewis came to their rescue. RC. MacLeod mentions that he was the most powerful noble after the Lord of the Isles and the use of his name here but not before suggests that the '"Tormod Coil" mentioned prior was not him. Torquil is said to have "landed in Skye with a large force, and a great battle was fought at Feorlig. The MacDonalds were completely defeated with heavy loss, the survivors being forced to take to their boats and leave Skye." He then takes the family back to lewis and brings up Ian.

The first action of Ian, when he reached age at 16, was to execute the Guardian, Ian the unfortunate, he was hanged from the yard-arm of a galley at Rowdell, his property confiscated, and his family banished for ever. Tormod Coil and all the refractory clansmen submitted to the Chief.

Ian then rallied the clan to attack Donald. This we can presume to be 1406/7 or a little later. The date is significant however. Donald's force, under Alastair Carrach MacDonald, Lord of Lochaber, had penetrated up the Great Glen and had captured Urquart castle. They torched Elgin and closed on Inverness. Ian collected his clansmen and a large fleet of galleys and sailed to Islay, intending to attack Donald, Lord of the Isles, but his uncle, MacLean of Duart, mediated between the two enemies, and terms of peace were agreed on. This is a critical piece of arbitration that is often missed by historians. The MacLean of Duart had married one of the sisters to Donald and thus provided the readily available pacifier between the two parties.

As part of the agreement the MacDonalds were forced to return all lands except the Macleod lands in North Uist. This island Ian Borb was forced to cede to the MacDonalds. It was given by the Lord of the Isles to one of his half brothers, who afterwards married the widow of Tormod Coil MacLeod, a daughter of MacLean of Loch Buy (some historians are confused between the MacLeans at this point). This also advises that Tormod Coil MacLeod, known to be a nephew to Ian and with father Murdoch is dead at this point. While it appears a favourable deal the arrangement also required that MacLeod acknowledge MacDonald as his superior Lord. This agreement will take him to Harlaw. It is quite clear that MacDonald had intentions of invading Scotland before this point. He clearly did not need another clan at his rear, or against him, if he was to be successful. The Mackays and Mackenzies were already against him and he needed the MacLeods obligated to him. MacLean of Duart, and Ian's mother, provided the leverage.

The Isle of St. Kilda

There is a legend of the clan which suggests that when the agreement, above, was reached they had forgotten the island of St. Kilda (not surprising as it is a small island in the Outer Hebrides). The legend provides that a race was agreed and that whichever clan reached the island first would receive it. As the boats closed on the island the MacDonald boat was leading. One of the MacLeod boatmen cut off his hand and threw it to the island, thus touching land first. The island was agreed to be MacLeod and remained so until well into the 19th Century (now National Trust and occupied by military on a rotational basis).

Battle of Harlaw

RC MacLeod, in the source is incorrect in his discussion regarding the outcome of the Battle of Harlaw vis: "Though this battle was not a decisive victory for the Lord of the Isles, and its result prevented him from carrying out a scheme he had formed for the conquest of all Scotland, it secured his possession of the Earldom of Ross." Is incorrect. Donald MacDonald was forced to give up his claim to the title of Ross and reverts to his Lordship of the Isles after Harlaw and never again raises the claim in Scotland (although he does in a letter to the Pope).

The MacLeod are reluctant participants at the battle but follow Donald when he lands at Loch Carron (Mackenzie territory), around March 1411. It seems clear, although missed by most historians, that, holding the Great Glen and as far north as Elgin in Moray, Clan Chattan Confederation country under MacKintosh, and Skye (MacLeod country), Donald was ready to take on the Mackays that held Ross. The MacLeods of Lewis were related to the Mackay and this would have posed a problem for Ian Borb at the Battle of Dingwall and it is unlikely he participated. Mackenzie[2] refused to follow MacDonald (he held his lands to the Crown and Earl of Ross not the Lord of the Isles) and for which MacDonald imprisoned him.

After Dingwall the Macleod follow Donald. RC. MacLeod suggests " Ian Borb commanded all the MacLeods, both those of the Siol Tormod (Skye and Harris) and Siol Torquil (Lewis) alike. At this battle he refused to draw his sword unless he and his clan were given the post of honour on the right wing of the army. This the Lord of the Isles yielded to him, the only instance on record in which the MacDonalds yielded precedence to any other clan." The statement is only partially correct. MacLeod certainly appear to have refused to fight under the MacDonald banner, understandably given the recent seizures, but they fought under MacLean of Duart on the right flank and did not command it.

Ian Borb was wounded in the forehead at the battle, where a deep scar remained. This wound never entirely healed and eventually the cause of his death.

Battle of Lochaber

After the death of Donald MacDonald, his son, Alexander became Lord of the Isles.

In 1424 Scotland paid the ransom for James and he returned to take the throne. The north was still violent and in order to pacify the region James called a Parliament, at Inverness in 1428, at which he imprisoned most of the Highland Lords, and executed many. Amongst those imprisoned were Mary Leslie, widow to Donald, Lord of the Isles and her son, Alexander. Alexander was later released. As revenge he gathered the clans and marched on Inverness.

Again, England failed to support an alliance, and the Lord of the Isles, and his Highland allies were alone. Inverness held and James relieved the city. Alexander withdrew to Lochaber where James' army caught up with them. His allies, Clan Chattan and Campbells, changed sides leaving the Lord of the Isles, and his vassals (such as MacLeods) alone. Clan MacLeod, at the battle was led by Tormod MacLeod, son to Ian, who was killed on the field.

The result was disaster for Alexander MacDonald and humiliation in front of the court in order to save himself from execution.

Battle of Inverlochy

As a result of the defeat at Lochaber, Alexander was imprisoned, rather than executed. His cousin Donald Balloch MacDonald (cousin to Alexander) gathered his force and rebelled against Scotland.

In January 1431, amongst those who joined him were the MacLeods of Harris under MacCaskill, Ian Borb's lieutenant, and the MacLeods of the Lewes, whose Chief Torquil MacLeod commanded all the MacLeods of both branches.

Donald Balloch's army met the royal army under the Earls of Mar and Caithness at Inverlochy. The superior armour and discipline of the Lowland knights proved to be utterly unavailing against the broadswords and battle-axes of the Islesmen. The royal army was totally defeated, the Earl of Caithness, with many other knights, was slain, and the Earl of Mar made his escape with great difficulty.

After these events James followed up with force into the Highlands. He invaded Skye and captured the castles of Dunskaith and Camus, and overran Sleat.

Ian Borb generally lived in the castle of Pabbay in Harris, which he had enlarged and strengthened. He died there, as a result of the wound received at Harlaw, in 1442. It seems highly likely that the wound he received was more serious than mentioned by the historian as he never appears again, on record, as leading any troops of the Clan after Harlaw.

Family and Legacy

He is said to have married a granddaughter of the Earl of Douglas, the name believed to be Margaret They had four children:

  • William MacLeod. Likely the William MacLeod of Harris
  • Tormod MacLeod. It is from him that the Sliochd Ian Mhic Leoid are descended. He married a daughter of Chisholm of Strathglass, which must have occurred about 1428. He led the MacLeods at the Battle of Lochaber in 1429 where he was killed. His wife however was pregnant and his son Ian was born after his death. From him are descended the MacLeods of Waternish, Meidle, Drynoch, and Balmeanach, Glendale, and others.
  • unknown (dau) MacLeod.
  • unknown (dau) MacLeod.

One of the daughters, believed to be Margaret, married Roderick MacLeod of the Lewes, another married Lauchlan MacLean. seventh of Duart. She is stated[3] to be Finvola and noted that the couple had two sons, Neil and John Garbh. The Peerage website,[4] although not confirmed in original source material, suggests that she married, firstly, Lachlan 'Bronnach' Maclean, 4th of Duart, son of Eachan 'Ruadh nan Cath' Maclean, 3rd of Duart. and then she married, secondly, Gilleonan Macneil, 9th of Barra, son of Roderick Macneil, 8th of Barra and unknown daughter Maclean.

Coat of Arms

He is one of the first of the Clan to be recorded as bearing arms.[5] He is stated to be le Sir de Bes in the Armorial de Berry which dates to the mid 15th Century. The blazon is azure, a castle triple-towered argent. The supposition, le Sir de Bes, is noted in Stoddart.[6] Interestingly, and not mentioned in any discussion on the topic, is the fact that Le Sir de Bene (Lord of Lewis) appears on the same Armorial Roll and above Dunvegan. This must have been Torquil MacLeod. It is worth pointing out that there is no representation of Mann in the arms; that is a much later addition.

Footnotes

  1. #S-1 MacLeod; page 60-67
  2. The Macraes and Maclennans are generally thought to have provided the garrison for Eilean Donan castle and occupied the surrounding territory. They too would have played no part in the coming campaign.
  3. Sinclair, Alexander Maclean (1899). The Clan Gillean. Charlottetown: Haszard and Moore. p. 248.
  4. The Peerage website, Finevola MacLeod
  5. MacLeod, Andrew P. (2000). "The Ancestry of Leod". www.macleodgenealogy.org.
  6. Stodart, R. R. Scottish Arms Being A Collection of Armorial Bearings, A.D. 1370-1678, Reproduced In Facsimile From Contemporary Manuscripts, With Heraldic And Genealogical Notes. Volume 1. Edinburgh: William Paterson, 1881.

Sources

  • Source S-1Roderick Charles MacLeod. The Macleods of Dunvegan from the time of Leod to the end of the seventeenth century. Vol. I. Edinburgh: Clan MacLeod, 1927. archive.org




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Categories: Clan MacLeod | Battle of Feorlig | Battle of Harlaw | Battle of Lochaber