Iain Borb MacLeod | |
|---|---|
 Arms of MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan, dating to the tenure of Iain Borb's chiefship. | |
| Born | 1392 |
| Died | 1442 |
| Resting place | Iona, Scotland |
| Known for | The 6thChief of Clan MacLeod |
| Predecessor | William Cleireach (father) |
| Successor | William Dubh (second son) |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret, grddau. of theEarl of Douglas |
| Children | 2 sons, 2 daughters. |
Iain Borb MacLeod (Scottish Gaelic:Iain Borb MacLeòid; Anglicised as:John "the Turbulent" MacLeod) (1392–1442) is considered to be the sixthchief ofClan MacLeod. He is the first MacLeod chief to whichheraldry can be assigned. Clan tradition states that he was a minor at the time of his father's death and for six years an incompetent guardian led the clan to its lowest point in clan history. After reaching the age of maturity, Iain Borb managed to acquire some of the clan's lost lands and led his clan and his kinsmen (theMacLeods of Lewis) in theBattle of Harlaw, in 1411. Iain Borb was wounded in the head during the conflict; the wound never completely healed and confined him to his home onPabbay for much of his life. Tradition states that he died when this wound re-opened during a fencing/wrestling match. There is some disagreement as to which of his sons was the eldest; however, his sonWilliam Dubh was the one who finally succeeded to the chiefship, following his death in 1442.
Iain Borb was the son, and successor ofWilliam Cleireach, fifthchief ofClan MacLeod. According to theBannatyne manuscript, he was only ten years old at the time of his father's death. The manuscript relates how during hisminority aguardian was chosen to lead theclan. This man's name was Iain Mishealbhach ('John the Unlucky') who was a cousin of the young Iain Borb. During Iain Mishealbhach's tenure as guardian, the MacLeods ofHarris andDunvegan were at their lowest point in their history. Many of the clan opposed the selection of Iain Mishealbhach, favouring instead Tormod Coil who slew Alastair Cannoch at the Battle of Sligachan. Tormod Coil defied the guardian and seized part of the lands ofGlenelg.[1]
The manuscript continues that the during this era, theMacDonalds took full advantage of the disorderedness of the MacLeods. A force of MacDonalds landed atSleat and took possession of the castles ofDunscaith andCamus and in the process drove the MacLeods out of Sleat. They also invadedNorth Uist and fought the MacLeods at Cailus, where the MacLeods were completely defeated and further lands were gained by the invaders. Following these victories, the MacDonalds besiegedDunvegan Castle, where the widow of William Cleireach was living at the time. The chief of the MacLeods ofLewis, however, came in force and relieved the castle, defeating the MacDonalds at Fiorlig. Torquil then took the family to Lewis where they remained until Iain Borb reached the age of maturity.[1]
Iain Borb's first act as chief, according to the manuscript, was tohang Iain Mishealbhach,confiscate the dead man's lands, andbanish his family. Later, Iain Borb made an agreement withDomhnall, Lord of the Isles, in which the MacDonalds gave back the lands they won from the MacLeods—except the lands on North Uist. Iain Borb swore hisvassalage to theLord of the Isles and in accordance to this agreement fought under the MacDonalds at theBattle of Harlaw in 1411. During the battle, Iain Borb commanded all the MacLeods (including theMacLeods of Lewis) and the manuscript states that the MacLeods had the honour of fighting on the right of Domhnall's forces.[1] Early 20th centuryClan Donald historians A. and A. Macdonald, however, stated that both clans of MacLeods were in the main body of men commanded by Domhnall and that the right wing was made up ofMacLeans, commanded byHector MacLean of Duart (Red Hector of the Battles).[2] The manuscript states how Iain Borb was wounded in the head during the conflict. The wound never entirely healed and for the rest of his life it would bleed whenever he became agitated. For the most part, Iain Borb lived at his castle onPabbay, where he renovated and enlarged the fortress there. The manuscript tells how during a fencing match with hisfoster-brother, Somerled MacConn, Iain Borb's wound began to bleed so profusely that hebled to death.[1]
TheBannatyne manuscript states that the first seven chiefs of Clan MacLeod were buried atIona.[4] Iona Abbey and church date from the 12th century when it was built by Somerled's son Ranald. Thechoir ofIona Abbey, may date from a later period. Within the centre of the choir there is a large stone which once contained amonumental brass, traditionally said to have been a MacLeod.[3] The stone formed amatrix which at one time contained thebrass inlay (tradition states it was asilver inlay). It is the largest carved stone on the island, measuring 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 m) by 3 feet 10 inches (1.17 m).[5] R.C. MacLeod speculated that perhaps the clan's founder,Leod, and five of his successors were buried beneath—however, in his opinion the fourth chief,Iain Ciar, was buried elsewhere.[4]
TheBannatyne manuscript records that Iain Borb married a granddaughter of theEarl of Douglas.[1] Several 20th-century clan historians named her Margaret.[6] The couple had two sons, namedWilliam andNorman (Tormod), as well as two daughters. The manuscript maintains that Norman was the elder of the brothers, but that he died young and left a young son who was too young to succeed to the chiefship.[1] In fact,William Dubh succeeded Iain Borb as chief of the clan.[6] R.C. MacLeod considered the fact that the clan considered William chief and not guardian was evidence that William was in fact the elder brother.[1] A. Morrison stated that Norman was probably anillegitimate son of Iain Borb and that he was considerably older than William, since Norman led the clan in battle in 1428. According to Morrison, Norman was killed in 1429 and that hisposthumous son was the progenitor of the MacLeods of Waternish. D. MacKinnon stated that he led the MacLeods and was slain at the battle inLochaber in 1429, supportingAlexander, Lord of the Isles againstJames I. MacKinnon stated that he married a daughter of Chisholm of Strathglass, and by her had his son, John.[7]
Morrison stated that Iain Borb's daughters were both born inwedlock.[7] According to MacKinnon, one of the daughters, Margaret, married Roderick MacLeod of Lewis (6th clan chief).[8] MacLeod stated that the other daughter marriedLachlan MacLean, of Duart (7th chief ofClan MacLean).[1] The late 19th-century clan historian A.M. Sinclair stated that her name wasFinvola and noted that the couple had two sons, Neil andJohn Garbh.[9] However, several years earlier another late 19th century Clan MacLean historian,J.P. MacLean named Lachlan's wife as "Fionnaghal, daughter of William MacLeod of Harris".[10]
Iain Borb is the earliest MacLeod chief to whichheraldry can be assigned.[11] Thecoat of arms of the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan appear in the mid 15th centuryroll of armsArmorial de Berry (although the armorial actually lists the arms as those of "Le sire de bes").[12] Theblazon is:azure, a castle triple-toweredargent.[13] The castle may represent theseat of the chiefs—Dunvegan Castle, located onSkye.[14]