William Dubh MacLeod

William Dubh MacLeod (Scottish Gaelic: Uilleam Dubh MacLeòid) (c. 1415–1480) is considered to be the 7th Chief of Clan MacLeod. He is thought to have been a younger son, yet because of the death of his elder brother, William Dubh succeeded his father, Iain Borb, in the year 1442. William Dubh was an old man when he was killed, leading his clan, at the Battle of Bloody Bay in 1480. He was the last MacLeod chief to be buried on the island of Iona. He was succeeded by his son, Alasdair Crotach.

Life

Succession

According to early 20th-century clan historian R.C. MacLeod, William Dubh was born in about the year 1415. He was the son of the MacLeod chief

These skirmishes led to the final encounter at the Battle of Bloody Bay in 1480.^[5] In this conflict, The Bannatyne manuscript states that William Dubh was killed early on, and at the fall of their chief, the MacLeods began to give way. However, a priest named Callum Clerich made the keeper of the Fairy Flag unfurl his banner. The manuscript states that when the MacLeod's kinsmen, the MacLeods of Lewis, switched sides upon seeing the sacred flag unfurled and joined the forces supporting John. However, the fate of the battle was already decided and the forces of Angus won the day. A large number of the clan was killed during the conflict, including the bearer of the flag, Murcha Beach, as well as the twelve men who were tasked with the flag's protection. William Dubh's body was taken to the island of Iona to be buried with those of his predecessors. The body of Murcha Breac was placed in the same tomb his—the Bannatyne manuscript states that this was the highest honour which could be disposed upon his remains.^[3] William Dubh was the last MacLeod chief to be buried on Iona.^[5]

Resting place

The Bannatyne manuscript states that the first seven chiefs of Clan MacLeod were buried at Iona.[9] The choir of Iona Abbey, for the most part, dates from the early 16th century. Within the centre of the choir there is a large stone which once contained a monumental brass, traditionally said to have been a MacLeod.^[8] The stone formed a matrix which at one time contained the brass inlay (tradition states it was a silver 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).^[10] 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.^[9]

Family

The 20th-century clan historians Morrison and MacKinnon stated that William Dubh's first wife was a cousin of his, a daughter of John Maclaine, third chief of Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie.^[5] The late 19th-century clan historian A.M. Sinclair, stated that she was the daughter of Murdoch Maclaine, 2nd chief of Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie.^[11] Following the death of his first wife, William Dubh then married Anne,^[5] daughter of Ranald Ban MacDonald of Moydart and Clanranald.^[6] After William Dubh's death, Anne married her cousin, Hector Roy Mackenzie, 1st of Gairloch.^[5][6]

William Dubh had one son, Alasdair Crotach, who succeeded him on his death. Morrison and MacKinnon stated that his son was a product of his first marriage and that William Dubh also had two daughters—one from each of his two wives.^[5] The 19th-century historian A. Mackenzie only gave one daughter to William Dubh and stated she married Lachlan MacLean of Duart.^[12]

See also

• Battle of Bloody Bay, a battle fought between numerous west Highland clans, where William Dubh was killed
• Fairy flag
  , a Clan MacLeod heirloom said to have magical powers, and said to have been unfurled at the Battle of Bloody Bay

References