William Dubh 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.The Bannatyne manuscript records that Iain Borb married a granddaughter of the Earl of Douglas[1]—several 20th-century clan historians gave her name as Margaret.[6] According to MacVurich, the Sleat shenachie, William Dubh ('William MacLeod of Harris') accompanied Hugh and other "young gentlemen of the Isles" on a raiding expedition to Orkney.At this time William Dubh was away and his only son, Alasdair, rallied the clan's forces and marched them towards the MacDonalds, who were encamped near their galleys.As Alasdair fell to the ground he grabbed Evan MacKail and killed him with a dirk and cut off the dead man's head as a trophy.[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.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.[11] Following the death of his first wife, William Dubh then married Anne,[5] daughter of Ranald Ban MacDonald of Moydart and Clanranald.