Iain Borb MacLeod

Iain Borb MacLeod
Arms of MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan, dating to the tenure of Iain Borb's chiefship.
Born1392
Died1442
Resting placeIona, Scotland
Known forThe 6th Chief of Clan MacLeod
PredecessorWilliam Cleireach (father)
SuccessorWilliam Dubh (second son)
Spouse(s)Margaret, grddau. of the Earl of Douglas
Children2 sons, 2 daughters.

Iain Borb MacLeod (Scottish Gaelic: Iain Borb MacLeòid; Anglicised as: John "the Turbulent" MacLeod) (1392–1442) is considered to be the sixth chief of Clan MacLeod. He is the first MacLeod chief to which heraldry 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 (the MacLeods of Lewis) in the Battle 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 on Pabbay 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 son William Dubh was the one who finally succeeded to the chiefship, following his death in 1442.


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