George Munro, 1st of Newmore

Sir George Munro, 1st of Newmore (1602–1693) was a 17th-century Scottish soldier and shire commissioner of Parliament from the Clan Munro, Ross-shire, Scotland. He was seated at Newmore Castle. Between 1629 and 1634 Munro held command in the Swedish army during the Thirty Years' War, and from 1642 in the Scottish Covenanter army during the Irish Confederate Wars before changing his allegiance to the Royalist cause of Charles I in 1648 during the Scottish Civil War and Irish Confederate Wars.

Lineage

George Munro, 1st of Newmore was the third son of Colonel John Munro, 2nd of Obsdale, who was, in turn, a son of George Munro, 1st of Obsdale, who in turn was a younger son of Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis, chief of the Clan Munro. George's elder brother was Sir Robert Munro, 3rd Baronet of Foulis, who became chief of the Clan Munro in 1651.

Thirty Years' War Munro grew up a bold, powerful and fearless man, playing a conspicuous part in the history and feuds of his time. He entered the army and accompanied his famous uncle, General Robert Monro (and his great-uncle, chief Robert Munro, 18th Baron of Foulis) to the Continental Thirty Years' War, in which he very rapidly distinguished himself. The petty differences on the part of those in command led to no properly defined plan of attack and George Munro was so disgusted with these matters that he returned home to Scotland. Between 1642 and 1646 George and his uncle Robert were generally successful against their enemies the O'Neils, and during that time the Munros put down a rebellion in Ulster in 1642 and captured Belfast in 1644. thus becoming a royalist.

Civil War in Scotland George Munro, having returned to Scotland with 1200 horse and 2100 foot soldiers, was sent to support the royalist James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton. An argument had ensued, and as a result, Munro's involvement in the battle was limited. George Munro had an intense dislike for Callender, and Callendar saw no reason why Munro should be allowed an independent command. Argyll lost about 200 men in the battle.

Return to Ireland In 1649 Munro returned briefly to Ireland where he opposed Cromwell's Irish campaign and supported the royalist siege of Derry. The besiegers built a fort at the Knock of Ember which they named Fort Charles in recognition of the king. The fort was itself besieged by the Parliamentarians who were repulsed by George Munro and his forces. The siege of Derry however was not successful and Munro was forced into a final return to Scotland in April 1650 as a result of the rout of the Scottish royalist army at the Battle of Lisnagarvey.

Royalist rising of 1651 to 1654

After the defeat of the royalists in England, Oliver Cromwell came to occupy Scotland, but many of the Highlanders waged war against him. The royalist uprising, led by William Cunningham, 9th Earl of Glencairn in support of the exiled King Charles II, began in 1651. General John Middleton, 1st Earl of Middleton, a veteran of the wars against Cromwell, was appointed commander-in-chief of the royalist forces, and both he and Glencairn agreed to unite their respective forces at Dornoch in Sutherland. Soon afterwards Glencairn was placed under arrest by the orders of Middleton and his sword was taken from him. However, the following day two junior officers from the two camps had a duel of their own in which one was killed and the other was later arrested and hanged. The royalist rising of the Highlanders and Lowlanders, although having various successes in skirmishes against Cromwell, was not enough and ended by the autumn of 1654.

Restoration

The Restoration of King Charles II took place in 1660 and Sir George Munro, 1st of Newmore commanded the King's forces between 1674 and 1677.

Shire Commissioner of Parliament

In 1661 George Munro was elected shire commissioner of Parliament for Ross-shire and continued to represent that constituency until 1663. He represented the county of Sutherland from 1669 until 1674 and was again returned for Ross-shire in 1685 and represented it until 1686.

George died on 11 July 1693 at his seat Newmore Castle and was succeeded by his eldest son, Hugh Munro, 2nd of Newmore.

Family

George married firstly his cousin, Anne Munro daughter of his uncle Major-General Robert Monro and Jean, widow of Viscount Montgomery of Ardee, and had one child: Hugh Munro, 2nd of Newmore.

George married secondly in 1649 Christiana Hamilton, daughter of Sir Frederick Hamilton of Manorhamilton and sister of Gustavus Hamilton, 1st Viscount Boyne, descended from Mary, eldest daughter of King James II of Scotland. George and Christiana had the following children: John Munro. (died 1682). George Munro, 1st of Culrain. (From whom the present chiefs of the Clan Munro are descended). Ann Munro. (Married first Donald Mackay, Master of Reay - second son of John Mackay, 2nd Lord Reay. She married secondly Lauchlan Mackintosh, 19th of Mackintosh.) Jane Munro. (Married Alexander Sinclair of Brins, in Caithness). Isobel Munro (Married Robert Gray, 6th of Skibo). Lucy Munro. (Married James Sinclair-Sutherland, 2nd of Swinnie.) Helen Munro. (Married firstly Angus, eldest son of Angus Mackay of Bighouse. Married secondly, Captain Andrew Munro of Westertown, second son of Sir John Munro, 4th Baronet). Catherine Munro. (Married George Munro of Lemlair). Florence Munro. (Married Andrew Munro of Logie).