!BIOGRAPHY: Sir Robert Douglas of Glenbervie, Baronet, THE BARONAGE
OF SCOTLAND, Edinburgh, 1798, p. 381.
I. Norman, afterwards Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera, third son of Sir
Roderick of that ilk, was the first of this family, a man of singular
honour and integrity, a sincere and steady loyalist.
We have already observed how readily he repaired to the king''s standard
in the year 1650, and was lieutenant-colonel of the regiment of
Macleods, who were almost all either killed or taken prisoners, at the
unfortunate battle of Worcester, anno 1651, and transported to the
plantations. Sir Norman was also taken prisoner and carried to England,
where he was detained about 18 months, during which time he underwent
a trial for his life by the English law, upon the supposition of his being a
Welshman, from the affinity of the surnames App-Loid and Macleod; but
he being well known to the principal officers in the Scotch army, was
easily proven to be a Scotsman, upon which there was a sist of the
procedure, and he was remanded back to prison. He then had an offer of
his liberty, if he would take an oath of fidelity to the usurper, etc. but
that he would by no means comply with. However, being a man of fine
address, and greatly esteemed, he got his escape made, and with much
difficulty got home to his own country, where he contributed all in his
power for disposing the people to exert themselves for bringing about a
restoration of the royal family; and, as observed in the preceding title,
was at the meeting of the chieftains at Glenelg in 1653, and was
employed to carry the account of the resolutions to the king. [see RIN
29] He cheerfully undertook the honourable embassy, delivered his
credentials into his majesty''s own hands, and was most graciously
received, as the importance of such a message deserved.
When he got his audience of leave of the king, he was entrusted with
letters to the principal people of the loyal party in Scotland, and desired
to return by the way of Holland, where general Middleton then was; from
thence he conveyed the supply of arms and ammunition provided there to
the highlanders, all which he faithfully delivered.
It is already observed that after the king''s troops were entirely routed,
how general Middleton, etc. etc. etc. retired to the Macleod''s estate,
where they found a safe asylum. Sir Norman contributed greatly in
providing them with necessaries, and getting them safely transported
beyond seas.
In the end of the year 1659, sir Norman was employed by king Charles
II. to solicit the king of Denmark to furnish him with a certain number of
troops to enable him to regain his kingdoms. Sir Norman was so far
successful as to prevail with his Danish majesty to agree to furnish
10,000 men, with proper officers, who were actually making ready to
embark for Scotland when accounts came to Denmark of his majesty''s
happy restoration.
Immediately thereafter, he waited upon the king at London, was most
kindly received by his majesty, and had the honour of knighthood
conferred upon him with his brother _____, which was all the reward he
got at that time for his great sufferings and faithful services.
About two years thereafter, he went to London a second time, and had
the honour to present to his majesty, with his own hands, a memorial
setting forth his services, sufferings, etc. His majesty was so sensibly
affected with it, that he got a most favourable deliverance upon it, with
an order to put him in possession of Assint''s estate, which t''was thought
would have been forfeited for his having corresponded with the king''s
enemies, betrayed Montrose, etc. but Assint compared, stood his trial,
and having proved his innocence, he was acquitted, so that Sir Norman
reaped no benefit by this second journey to London.
He married, 1st, Margaret, only child of John Mackenzie of Lochflyne,
second son of Kenneth twelfth baron of Kintail, and brother german of
Colin first earl of Seaforth, by whom he had only one son,
John Macleod of Contilich, of whom afterwards.
He married, 2dly, Catharine Macdonald, eldest daughter of sir James
Macdonald of Slate, by whom he had _____ sons and three daughters.
1. William of Luskinder, who married Margaret, daughter of Captain
Alexander Mackenzie of Suddy, by whom he had two sons and two
daughters. 1. Alexander Macleod, now of Luskinder, Esq.; 2. Roderick
Macleod writer to the signet, who married, 1st, Isabel, only daughter of
Hector Bannatyne of Kaims, Esq; in Bute, by whom he hath issue a son,
Bannatyne-William Macleod, Esq; advocate, and four daughters: And 2dly,
Marjory Taylor, daughter of John Taylor writer in Inverary.
William of Luskinder''s first daughter, Margaret, married to Ronald
Macdonald of Clanranald, and had issue 2. Alice, married to Roderick
Macneil late of Barra, father of Roderick of Barra, who was killed at
Quebec, and left issue a son, Roderick Macneil, now of Barra, Esq;
Sir Norman had another son, sir Alexander Macleod, bred to the law,
who was eminent in his profession, and made a great figure at the bar.
He died without issue.
Sir Norman''s 1st daughter, Isabel, was married to Roderick Macneil of
Barra.
2. Marian, married to Donald Maclean of Coll, and was mother of Hugh
Maclean now of Coll.
3. Catharine, married 1st to Alexander Macleod of Rasay: 2dly, to
Angus Macdonald of Scothouse, brother-german of Alexander of Glengary.
!BIOGRAPHY: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon, and Alick Morrison, MACLEOD
CHIEFS OF HARRIS AND DUNVEGAN, Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod Society,
1969, p. 24. Alick Morrison, THE CHIEFS OF CLAN MACLEOD, East Kilbride,
Scotland, 1986.
!MENTION: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE
MACLEODS--THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section II, Edinburgh, The Clan
MacLeod Society, 1968, p. 25.
Norman was born in the island of Berneray in the Sound of Harris, where
the Chiefs of Harris and Dunvegan had a mansion house, where they
resided for periods after they had given up the castle on the Isle of
Pabbay. No doubt, the mansion house in Berneray was "MacLeods wonted
hall" or the "hall of the wine cups" referred to by the bardess Mairi
nighean Alasdair Ruaidh. Part of that building is still standing and an
examination of its structure, especially the windows, indicate that it is
some 400 years old. A marble slab above the door bears a Latin
inscription: Hic natus est illustris ille Normannus MacLeod de Berneray,
eques auratus (Here is born the illustrious Norman MacLeod of Berneray,
distinguished knight). Norman''s Contract of Fosterage in Gaelic still
survives and is dated the 8th October, 1614. It reads as follows: "This
is the condition and agreement in which MacLeod is giving his son,
namely, Norman to John son of the son of Kenneth and this the condition
on which he is with John, namely, if so be that John die first, the child
to be with his wife until she gets a husband for herself, but the
guardianship of the child to belong to Angus, son of the son of Kenneth,
so long as she remains unmarried, and so soon as a man marries her, the
child to be with Angus himself from that time during his life, and if his
brother, namely Donald, the son of the son of Kenneth be the longer liver
after Angus, the child shall be with Donald in like manner; and MacLeod
has a son''s share in the stock during the lifetime of three, namely
himself, and his son, the heir, namely John, the son of MacLeod and
Norman, this foster child of John, the son of the son of Kenneth, against
John and against Angus son of the son of Kenneth and against Donald son
of the son of Kenneth and against the two sons of Donald, the son of
Murdoch, namely John and Donald, and against the two sons of Duncan son
of Donald and against Brian son of the son of Murdoch and against
Gillichalum MacPherson: and this is the stock which John son of the son
of Kenneth puts in possession of the child, Norman, namely four mares
and the other four, which MacLeod put in his possession, along with the
three mares, which he promised to him, when he took him to his bosom;
and the charge and keeping of these seven mares, which MacLeod gave to
the child shall be with John son of the son of Kenneth, in order to put
them to increase for his foster son; and the care and keeping of the four
mares, which John son of the son of Kenneth gave to his foster son shall
be with MacLeod to put them to increase for him in like manner: and
these are the witnesses to this, namely Mr. Ewen MacQueen, minister of
Duirinish, Donald, son of Black Paul and John MacColgan, minister of
Bracadale and Turlough O''Murgheassa. Now, the Eighth day of October, in
the year of our Lord, One thousand, six hundred and fourteen." [Cameron,
CELTIC LAW.]
John son of the son of Kenneth (alias John MacKenzie) was really a
Campbell of Harris. He is an ancestor of the Campbells of Strond though
at this early date they probably did not hold that tack. He would
probably be styled John of "Houseanis", i.e., Hushinish, for he lived in
close proximity to the Forest of Harris. His brother Angus, held the farm
of Luskintyre and his descendants later became the Campbells of
Scalpay. Donald, the youngest son, held the island of Taransay. Turlough
O''Murgheasa is most interesting and seems to have been a scion of the
O''Muirgheasains of Inishowen in Ireland, who supplied the classic Gaelic
Bards of MacLeod at the end of the 16th century and during the following
century as well. It would appear as if young Norman was reared close to
the Forest of Harris and this lends particular interest to Mairi nighean
Alasdair Ruaidh''s frequent references to his love of hunting.
By the statutes of Iona, 1609, reinforced by the Privy Council in 1646,
"every gentleman or yeoman, worth 60 cows, must send at least their
eldest son to be educated in the Lowlands to speak, read and write "the
vulgar Inglis toung". We find in the Muniments of Glasgow University
that Iain Mor attended the institution in 1624; his brother Roderick of
Talisker was there in 1625 and Norman of Berneray and William of
Hamer attended the University in 1631 and 1632. Papers detailing the
payment of the expenses of the last two "Students" are still to be seen
in Dunvegan Castle.
Norman seems to have left the University in 1632 and 1633, when, as
his grandson, Alexander MacLeod of Luskintyre, calculates, he entered
upon the liferent of the farm of Berneray, granted to him by his father,
Sir Rory Mor. This liferent included the island of Berneray, where
Norman resided, with its pertinents in the Sound of Harris, such as
Hermetray, Obisay, Tahay, Nertay, Hermetry, Vacasay, Sursay, Torogay,
Votersay and Sarstay. It also, according to John Campbell of Strond''s
statement in 1746, included such districts on the mainland of Harris as
Nisabost, Geocrab, Bunavineattora and Airdhasaig. We find these
districts closely associated with Berneray until the 19th century and
indeed afford the explanation for the annual practice of the tenants of
Berneray sending their horses as far north as the Forest of Harris which
lasted until about 1810. It is also interesting to remember that Norman
possessed the district of Shiaby in Berneray, while he was still a minor.
Sir Norman lives immortal in the Gaelic poetry of Mary MacLeod. He is a
man of commanding presence, with countenance "full fair and shapely",
curling locks "as yellow as harpstrings, with clear eyes, "as blue as the
blaeberry" set by cheeks "as red as the berry of the dogrose". [Watson,
GAELIC POETRY OF MARY MACLEOD.] He possessed books, among which
was the devotional classic, Thomas a Kempis'' IMITATION OF CHRIST. He
took a warm interest in Gaelic poetry, history and antiquities. There is
reason to believe he could read Gaelic for he studied the works of the
classic bards in order to glean information on the genealogy of the Clans,
a subject in which he was "well vers''d". He was a generous patron [CLAN
MACLEOD MAGAZINES, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965.] of the bards, tale
tellers, harpers and pipers and no mean judge of their skill. Neil
MacVurich, the Clanranald bard described him as the "Lamp of true
history" and the "Protector of true learning" in the "delightful blue land
of the Gael". Duncan O''Murgheasain went further and described Berneray
House as "the haloed banqueting hall of Fionnghall". Above all he was the
generous patron of Mary MacLeod (Mairi nighean Alasdair Ruaidh) whose
brilliant poetry was breaking new ground in the vernacular used by the
people at the time. Tradition in Berneray proclaims that he gave the
bardess a house ("Tobhta Mairi" or "Toghta nan Craogh") and that it was
situated close to Berneray House.
Norman MacLeod certainly impressed Highlanders of his own generation
for he was undoubtedly "a man of singular honour and integrity, a sincere
and steady loyalist". [Douglas, BARONAGE]. These qualities were
epitomized by the great MacLeod bardess in the Gaelic words
"Seirbhiseach dileas Cruin" (devoted servant of the Crown). She went
further and challenged any Gael or Saxon to prove that any deceit could
be found in her hero. She speaks the truth.
In 1650, Norman MacLeod was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the
MacLeod Regiments raised to fight against the tyrannical dictatorship of
Oliver Cromwell and the Rump Parliament of the England. Along with his
elder brother, Roderick MacLeod of Talisker, he fought gallantly at the
battle of Worcester on the 3rd September 1651. Though heavily
outnumbered, the Highlanders proved more than a match for the
redoubtable Ironsides and but for the traitorous behaviour of Sir David
Leslie and the cavalry, might well have won the day. Cromwell, a
brilliant general and experienced campaigner admitted it was his
hardest contest. The MacLeod contingent was practically wiped out:
Roderick of Talisker managed to escape from the fatal field: Norman of
Berneray was captured and kept in close confinement in the Tower of
London for 18 months. Because of the affinity of his name with the
Welsh ap Lloyd, he was indicted on a charge of high treason, which
involved the death penalty. A flaw in the indictment led to a sist in the
proceedings and probably saved his life. [Douglas, BARONAGE OF
SCOTLAND] It was then learned that he was a Scotsman, well known to
many of the prisoners of the Scottish Army.
On 27th August 1652, Lieut. Col. MacLeod petitioned to be set free. His
petition was referred to the Committee for Prisoners, who were to
examine him and report what should be done with him (State Papers:
Domestic: England, p. 383). On the 28th October, the petitions of Lt. Col.
MacLeod and Major Alexander MacLeod were referred to the Committee
for Examination to report (ib. 454). On the 30th October, Lt. Col. MacLeod
and Major Alexander were to be released as others provided they
accepted the same conditions as others, i.e., take the "test" and accept
the rule of Cromwell and the Rump Parliament of England, and the
Committee of Examinations were to take their bail accordingly (ib. 463).
On 25th December 1652, it is clear that Lt. Col. MacLeod had refused to
take the "test". Accordingly, on that date, Lt. Col. MacLeod''s petition for
leave to return to his family in Scotland, was laid aside (ib. p. 59).
Finally he escaped from the Tower, returned to the Highlands and loyally
undertook to carry out exceedingly dangerous missions to the Continent
of Europe with a view to restoring the Monarchy in Britain. These
missions he successfully executed, so that attempts were made in 1654
at Stornoway and Lochgarry to overturn the hated Cromwellian regime.
These attempts failed. In 1655, Roderick, the young chief of the
MacLeods, had at last to capitulate and had to pay a monstrous fine. The
articles of capitulation expressly excluded the Chief''s two uncles,
Roderick of Talisker and Norman of Berneray. In 1657, Roderick of
Talisker was pardoned. Norman of Berneray, however, still refused to
yield and such a close watch was kept on his movements in the Isles that
he was forced to flee to the Continent for at least a couple of years. In
1659 he was sent by Charles II to King Frederick III of Denmark to
negotiate for assistance to the royalist cause. He succeeded in getting a
promise of 10,000 men with proper officers and equipment. Preparations
for their dispatch were well advanced, when the welcome news was
heard that England had regained her sanity and in the person of General
Monk, Cromwellian Governor in Scotland, had decided to recall the
Monarchy.
In 1660, Norman and his brother Roderick visited the court in London
and were deservedly knighted for their loyal services. In 1662, Sir
Norman was again at court and the King promised him the estates of
MacLeod of Assynt, who was held to have assisted the King''s enemies.
Assynt, however, claimed pardon under the Act of Indemnity and Oblivion
and the Scottish courts decided in his favour. Hence Sir Norman could
not get any reward from that quarter. The King, however, appeared to be
determined to give him some reward, for in 1675 he persuaded the heir
to the Duke of Argyle to hand over his rights to the estates of Hector Roy
MacLean of Coll to Sir Norman MacLeod of Berneray. [Papers in the
Register House, Edinburgh.] To his eternal honour, Sir Norman refused to
take advantage of this offer and soon afterwards handed over his estates
to the Laird of Coll, who had lost them through financial embarrassment
occasioned by his loyalty to the royalist cause. Sir Norman died on the
3rd March 1705 and was buried in the Churchyard of St. Clement''s in
Rodel, Harris. He married as his first wife, Margaret, only daughter of
John MacKenzie 1st of Lochslinn and as her tocher (dowry) received the
districts of Dunglas, Balblair, Knockteid and the 1/4 land of Balnain.
They had issue, an only son.
Sir Norman married as his second wife, Catherine, eldest daughter of
Sir James Mor MacDonald, 2nd Baronet of Sleat. Her father promised her
a dowry of 20,000 marks, but as he was in no position to pay it, he
allowed Sir Norman to possess the district of Clachan Sand in North
Uist. This district comprised the farms of Kylis, Bailemhicphaill,
Goulabie, Vallaquie, Reimsgarry, Upper and Lower Clachan. In 1698, the
promise was fulfilled and Sir Norman accompanied by his son, James,
and William Martin collected the money in Duntuilm Castle. The money
was collected in bags and stored in a strong box in Dunvegan Castle. With
this money Sir Norman now bought a wadset of lands in Harris from
Roderick 19th Chief of the MacLeods. These lands comprised the
districts of Hushinish, Fladay, Malaig, Scarp, Luskintyre, Taransay,
Horgabost and Shellibost. From this second marriage, Sir Norman had
issue.
!SOURCE: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS --
THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section II, Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod
Society, 1968, p. 88.
!SOURCE: Sir Robert Douglas of Glenbervie, Bart., THE PEERAGE OF
SCOTLAND, Vol. 2, Second Edition, John Philip Wood, Esq., Editor,
Edinburgh, 1813, p. 13.