Baron Macdonald
Encyclopedia
Baron Macdonald, of Slate in the County of Antrim
, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland
. It was created in 1776 for Sir Alexander Macdonald, 9th Baronet, of Sleat
. The Macdonald family descends from Uisdean Macdonald (d. 1498), also known as Hugh Macdonald, illegitimate son of Alexander Macdonald, Earl of Ross
. On 28 May 1625, his great-great-great-great-grandson Archibald Macdonald was created a Baronet, of Sleat in the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness, in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia. The baronetcy was created with remainder to heirs male whatsoever and with a special clause of precedence which provided that it should have precedency over all former Baronets (Sir Robert Gordon excepted).
His great-great-great-grandson, the ninth Baronet, was raised to the Peerage of Ireland
as Baron Macdonald, of Slate in the County of Antrim, in 1776. Lord Macdonald married Elizabeth Diana Bosville, daughter of Godfrey Bosville. Their eldest son, the second Baron, represented Saltash
in Parliament. He never married and was succeeded by his younger brother, the third Baron. He was a Lieutenant-General in the Army. In 1814 Lord Macdonald inherited the Bosville estates of Thorpe and Gunthwaite in Yorkshire
through his mother, and assumed by Royal license the surname of Bosville in lieu of Macdonald the same year. However, on inheriting the Macdonald estates on the death of his older brother in 1824 he resumed by Royal license the surname of Macdonald after that of Bosville. In 1803 Lord Macdonald married, in an English ceremony, Lady Louisa Maria la Coast, illegitimate daughter of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh
(grandson of King George II
). The couple had previously married in a Scottish ceremony in 1799. However, the validity of the Scottish marriage was disputed, and as a result the eldest son of Lord Macdonald born before his 1803 marriage, Alexander William Robert Bosville, was not allowed to succeed his father in the titles (this decision was later challenged; see below). He was therefore succeeded by his eldest son born after the 1803 marriage, the fourth Baron. His great-grandson, the seventh Baron, served as Lord Lieutenant of Inverness
from 1952 to 1970. the barony is held by the latter's eldest son, the eighth Baron. He is Chief
of the Name and Arms
of Macdonald (see Clan Donald
).
According to a decision by the Court of Session
in June 1910, the children born before the 1803 marriage of the third Baron Macdonald were legitimate according to Scottish Law. However, this decision was only valid regarding the Nova Scotia baronetcy and not the Irish barony. As a result, the third Baron's rightful successor in the Baronetcy was his eldest son Alexander William Robert Bosville (the de jure twelfth Baronet). He had assumed by Royal license the surname of Bosville in 1832 and had in 1847 inherited his father’s Bosville estates in Yorkshire by Act of Parliament. His grandson, the de jure fourteenth Baronet, was recognised in the Baronetcy according to the aforementioned 1910 decision by the Court of Session
. As of 2009 the baronetcy is held by the latter's great-grandson, the seventeenth Baronet.
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
. It was created in 1776 for Sir Alexander Macdonald, 9th Baronet, of Sleat
Alexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald
Alexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald , was a Scottish peer.Macdonald was the younger son of Sir Alexander Macdonald, 7th Baronet, and his wife Lady Margaret . He was educated at Eton and served with the Grenadier Guards. Macdonald was also a Deputy Lieutenant of Inverness-shire and a...
. The Macdonald family descends from Uisdean Macdonald (d. 1498), also known as Hugh Macdonald, illegitimate son of Alexander Macdonald, Earl of Ross
Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross
Alexander of Islay or Alexander MacDonald was a medieval Scottish nobleman, who succeeded his father Domhnall of Islay as Lord of the Isles and rose to the rank of Earl of Ross...
. On 28 May 1625, his great-great-great-great-grandson Archibald Macdonald was created a Baronet, of Sleat in the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness, in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia. The baronetcy was created with remainder to heirs male whatsoever and with a special clause of precedence which provided that it should have precedency over all former Baronets (Sir Robert Gordon excepted).
His great-great-great-grandson, the ninth Baronet, was raised to the Peerage of Ireland
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
as Baron Macdonald, of Slate in the County of Antrim, in 1776. Lord Macdonald married Elizabeth Diana Bosville, daughter of Godfrey Bosville. Their eldest son, the second Baron, represented Saltash
Saltash (UK Parliament constituency)
Saltash, sometimes called Essa, was a "rotten borough" in Cornwall which returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons in the English and later British Parliament from 1552 to 1832, when it was abolished by the Great Reform Act.-History:...
in Parliament. He never married and was succeeded by his younger brother, the third Baron. He was a Lieutenant-General in the Army. In 1814 Lord Macdonald inherited the Bosville estates of Thorpe and Gunthwaite in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
through his mother, and assumed by Royal license the surname of Bosville in lieu of Macdonald the same year. However, on inheriting the Macdonald estates on the death of his older brother in 1824 he resumed by Royal license the surname of Macdonald after that of Bosville. In 1803 Lord Macdonald married, in an English ceremony, Lady Louisa Maria la Coast, illegitimate daughter of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh
Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh
Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of George II and a younger brother of George III.-Early life:...
(grandson of King George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
). The couple had previously married in a Scottish ceremony in 1799. However, the validity of the Scottish marriage was disputed, and as a result the eldest son of Lord Macdonald born before his 1803 marriage, Alexander William Robert Bosville, was not allowed to succeed his father in the titles (this decision was later challenged; see below). He was therefore succeeded by his eldest son born after the 1803 marriage, the fourth Baron. His great-grandson, the seventh Baron, served as Lord Lieutenant of Inverness
Lord Lieutenant of Inverness
The Lord-Lieutenant of Inverness, is the British monarch's personal representative in an area which has been defined since 1975 as consisting of the local government districts of Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey, and Lochaber, in Scotland, and this definition was renewed by the Lord-Lieutenants ...
from 1952 to 1970. the barony is held by the latter's eldest son, the eighth Baron. He is Chief
Scottish clan chief
The Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
of the Name and Arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of Macdonald (see Clan Donald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
).
According to a decision by the Court of Session
Court of Session
The Court of Session is the supreme civil court of Scotland, and constitutes part of the College of Justice. It sits in Parliament House in Edinburgh and is both a court of first instance and a court of appeal....
in June 1910, the children born before the 1803 marriage of the third Baron Macdonald were legitimate according to Scottish Law. However, this decision was only valid regarding the Nova Scotia baronetcy and not the Irish barony. As a result, the third Baron's rightful successor in the Baronetcy was his eldest son Alexander William Robert Bosville (the de jure twelfth Baronet). He had assumed by Royal license the surname of Bosville in 1832 and had in 1847 inherited his father’s Bosville estates in Yorkshire by Act of Parliament. His grandson, the de jure fourteenth Baronet, was recognised in the Baronetcy according to the aforementioned 1910 decision by the Court of Session
Court of Session
The Court of Session is the supreme civil court of Scotland, and constitutes part of the College of Justice. It sits in Parliament House in Edinburgh and is both a court of first instance and a court of appeal....
. As of 2009 the baronetcy is held by the latter's great-grandson, the seventeenth Baronet.
Macdonald Baronets, of Sleat (1625)
- Sir Donald Macdonald, 1st Baronet (d. 1643)
- Sir James Macdonald, 2nd Baronet (d. 1678)
- Sir Donald Macdonald, 3rd Baronet (d. 1695)
- Sir Donald Macdonald, 4th Baronet (d. 1718)
- Sir Donald Macdonald, 5th Baronet (c. 1697–1720)
- Sir James Macdonald, 6th Baronet (d. 1723)
- Sir Alexander Macdonald, 7th Baronet (1711–1746)
- Sir James Macdonald, 8th Baronet (c. 1742–1766)
- Sir Alexander Macdonald, 9th BaronetAlexander Macdonald, 1st Baron MacdonaldAlexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald , was a Scottish peer.Macdonald was the younger son of Sir Alexander Macdonald, 7th Baronet, and his wife Lady Margaret . He was educated at Eton and served with the Grenadier Guards. Macdonald was also a Deputy Lieutenant of Inverness-shire and a...
(c. 1745–1795) (created Baron Macdonald in 1776)
Barons Macdonald (1776)
- Alexander Macdonald, 1st Baron MacdonaldAlexander Macdonald, 1st Baron MacdonaldAlexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald , was a Scottish peer.Macdonald was the younger son of Sir Alexander Macdonald, 7th Baronet, and his wife Lady Margaret . He was educated at Eton and served with the Grenadier Guards. Macdonald was also a Deputy Lieutenant of Inverness-shire and a...
(c. 1745–1795) - Alexander Wentworth Macdonald, 2nd Baron MacdonaldAlexander Macdonald, 2nd Baron MacdonaldAlexander Wentworth Macdonald, 2nd Baron Macdonald was a Scottish peer and Member of Parliament.Macdonald was the eldest son of Alexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald, and his wife Elizabeth Diana . He succeeded his father in the barony in 1795 but as this was an Irish peerage it did not entitle...
(1773–1824) - Godfrey Macdonald, 3rd Baron Macdonald of SlateGodfrey Macdonald, 3rd Baron Macdonald of SlateLt.-General Sir Godfrey Bosville Macdonald, 3rd Baron Macdonald of Slate was the second son of Alexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald and Elizabeth Diana Bosville...
(1775–1832) - Godfrey William Wentworth Bosville-Macdonald, 4th Baron Macdonald (1809–1863)
- Somerled James Brudenell Bosville-Macdonald, 5th Baron Macdonald (1849–1874)
- Ronald Archibald Bosville-Macdonald, 6th Baron Macdonald (1853–1947)
- Alexander Godfrey Macdonald, 7th Baron MacdonaldAlexander Macdonald, 7th Baron MacdonaldAlexander Godfrey Macdonald, 7th Baron Macdonald, MBE was a grandson of the 6th Baron Macdonald.Born Alexander Godrey Bosville-Macdonald, he changed his surname to Macdonald on becoming Chief of the Name and Arms of Macdonald...
(1909–1970) - Godfrey James Macdonald, 8th Baron Macdonald (b. 1947)
Macdonald Baronets, of Sleat (1625); continued after 1832
- Sir Alexander William Robert Bosville Macdonald, de jure 12th Baronet (1800–1847)
- Sir Godfrey Wentworth Bayard Bosville, de jure 13th Baronet (1826–1865)
- Sir Alexander Wentworth Macdonald Bosville Macdonald, 14th Baronet (1865–1933) (recognised in baronetcy in 1910)
- Sir Godfrey Middleton Bosville Macdonald, 15th Baronet (1887–1951)
- Sir Alexander Somerled Angus Bosville Macdonald, 16th Baronet (1917–1958)
- Sir Ian Godfrey Bosville Macdonald, 17th Baronet (b. 1947)
See also
- Earl of Ross (1215 creation)Earl of RossThe Mormaer or Earl of Ross was the leader of a medieval Gaelic lordship in northern Scotland, roughly between the River Oykel and the River Beauly.-Origins and transfers:...
- Clan DonaldClan DonaldClan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
- Clan Macdonald of SleatClan MacDonald of SleatClan Macdonald of Sleat, sometimes known as Clan Donald North and in Gaelic Clann Ùisdein , is a Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald — one of the largest Scottish clans. The founder of the Macdonalds of Sleat is Ùisdean, 6th great-grandson of Somhairle, a 12th century Rì Innse Gall...