8TH BARON OF FOWLIS

[Source: "History of the MUNROS of Fowlis...." by Alexander MacKenzie, MJI, 1898] Page 11: Robert Munro, the eighth Baron of Fowlis, was a mere child when his father fell, but his estates were carefully managed by his uncle John, who during his guardianship, redeemed portions of the ancestral possessions which had been mortgaged by his ancestors. There was, among the Fowlis papers, a Renunciation, dated the 4th of January, 1338-9, by Christianus Filius Nogelli, in favour of Robert Munro de Foules, of the lands of Achmellon, a part of the lands of Logie, said to have been held by the granter from Robert and his predecessors. On attaining majority, Robert followed the example of his guarddian, and in the traditions of the family, he is described as "a man of abilities and economical habits of life". He is mentioned as "Robert de Munro" in several of the Balnagowan charters, in 1341, 1362, 1368, and 1372. He had a charter from William, Earl of Ross, of the lands of Pitlundie and others in which the reddendo was a pair of white gloves or three pennies Scots, if required, alternately, and afterwards the same nobleman, who was his kinsman, conveyed to him "the lands of Petian and Morvich". The first named charter was witnessed, among others, by Roger, Bishop of Ross, and must have been dated prior to 1350. The other was confirmed by David II, in 1364.

Robert also obtained, from Earl William, a charter of confirmation of Easter Fowlis and other lands, in which it is declared that they had belonged to his predecessors since the time of Donald, the founder of the family. This charter was also confirmed by David II, King of Scotland, in the last named charter.

From a charter dated the 1st of July, 1365, granted by Hugh Ross I of Balnagowan, second son of Hugh, Earl of Ross, and confirmed by William Earl of Ross, the granter's brother, at his castle of Dingwall on the 21st of December, 1366, it appears that Robert Munro, who was one of the witnesses, was also one of the Baron Bailies of the Earldom of Ross, a very important office in those feudal times.

He married, first, Jean, daughter of Hugh Ross I, of Balnagowan, on record in 1350 and 1366, by his wife, Margaret Barclay, niece of Queen Euphemia, the second wife of Robert II, King of Scotland, with issue:

1. Hugh, his heir and successor

Robert Munro then married, secondly, Grace, daughter of Sir Adam Forrester of Corstorphine, with issue:

2. Thomas, who, according to the MS of 1716, married the heiress of Duncrub, county of Perth. The same authority says that Alexander, Earl of Ross, married Lady Isabella Stewart, daughter of the Duke of Albany, with issue .... an only daughter. In 1402, shortly after the birth of this daughter, the Earl died at his castle, near Dingwall. The Duke took his granddaughter under his own immediate care, and to manage the affairs of the Earldom, he sent to Ross a man whom he appointed Governor of Dingwall Castle and Chamberlain of Ross. One day, Thomas Munro met the Governor, who was popularly known as "The Black Captain" where the village of Maryburgh now stands. After some conversation, threatening words were exchanged, which ended in the drawing of dirks, and a duel ensued in which Thomas killed the Captain. Fearing that his life would in consequence be forfeited, he fled and took refuge "amongst his mother's kindred at Corstorphine" and to prevent discovery, he changed his surname from Munro to Roach "which being an Irish (Gaelic) word, signifies Munro as well as Bunro". This Thomas married the Heretrix of Dunscrubb as aforesaid. "The south countrie accend corrupting the word "Roach", corrupted it "Rogues" as well as Rollocks or Rolls. The successors of the said Thomas, Laird of Dunscrubb, and the Lairds of Fowlis keeped constantly intire correspondence and friendship". This tradition differs from the account of the origin of the family of the Rolls of Duncrub given by Peerage writers, who say that John Rolls was the head of the house at that time. His successor, Duncan, died before October, 1437, and is said to have been succeeded by his son, Robert. But Robert may have been a grandson, not a son, of Duncan, the son of his daughter and heiress by Thomas Munro.

3. John, whose name is found in a charter dated the 22nd of July, 1426, as "John, the Elder, uncle to George, tenth Baron of Fowlis", in which charter, as stated hereafter, he, with his nephew the Laird of Fowlis, and John the Younger, are included by Sir John Forrester in anenntail of the lands of Corstorphine.

The family MS. states that the wife of Robert Munro of Fowlis was a daughter of Forrester of Corstorphine, while Sir Rober Gordon infers, but somewhat obscurely, that Gerse, or Grace, sister of Sir John Forrester of Corstorphine, married "Munroe of Fowlis" alluding apparently to George, Robert's father, though the reference might possibly apply to Robert. The lady was, apparently, a daughter of Sir Adam Forrester, an opulent merchant in Edinburgh, who, in 1363, is styled "Adam Forrester, mercator de Scotia". He was Lord Provost of that city, 1373-1378, and in 1387, was taken prisoner at the battle of Homildon Hill on the 14th of September 1402, but was speedily ransomed, and about the same time, obtained the honor of knighthood. He died at an advanced age, on the 13th of October, 1405.

4. John, of whom nothing is known.

Robert was killed in an obssscure clan fight while assisting William, Earl of Ross, and in pursuit of a band of fugitives in 1369, when he was succeeded by his eldest son, Hugh Munro.

Child of ROBERT FOWLIS) and JEAN ROSS is:

13. i. HUGH MUNRO (9TH BARON OF13 FOWLIS), b. Bef. 1360, Fowlis, Ross, Scotland; d. 1425, Ross, Scotland.

Children of ROBERT FOWLIS) and GRACE FORRESTER are:

ii. THOMAS13 MUNRO, b. Bef. 1402; m. (HEIRESS OF DUNCRUBB, COUNTY OF PERTH).

iii. JOHN MUNRO.

Notes for JOHN MUNRO:

[Source: "History of the MUNROS of Fowlis...." by Alexander MacKenzie, MJI, 1898] Page 13: John, whose name is found in a charter dated the 22nd of July, 1426, as "John, the Elder, uncle to George, tenth Baron of Fowlis" in which charter, as stated hereafter, he, with his nephew the Laird of Fowllisss, and John the younger, are included by Sir John Forrester in entail of the lands of Corstorphine.