Individual Details
Sir James "the Good" Douglas
(1286 - 25 Aug 1330)
[[Category:Clan Douglas]]
[[Category:Lord of Douglas]]
[[Category:Battle of Bannockburn]]
}
== Biography ==
: Fought for Robert the Bruce at Methven in 1306. One of the greatest Scots heroes : Then led a raid on Douglas Castle, his Douglasdale Estate. (It had been confiscated by the English). : Disguised as peasants, he & his men defeated the English garrison. This battle became known as the "Douglas Larder." : He & his men attacked & captured Roxburgh Castle, disguised as oxen.
: Known for his stealthy and effective means of combat. : Played a major role in the defeat of the English Army at Battle of Bannockburn. : One of the signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath, at Arbroath Abbey (1320). : 1329 Upon death of Bruce, entrusted to take his heart on pilgrimage to Holy Land. : 1330 Killed fighting the Moors in Spain while on this pilgrimage in Spain.
: His body & Bruce's heart were returned to Scotland.
: Interred: St. Bride's Church. Lord of Galloway.
: Clan Douglas Website: "His stealthy and effective means of combat are remembered in a children's bedtime song,
: "Hush ye, hush ye, little pet ye,
: Hush ye, hush ye, do not fret ye,
: The Black Douglas shall no get ye."
:"Known to theScots as "good Sir James", & to the the English as "the Black Douglas," he was, with Wallace & Bruce, one of the three great heroes of Scottish independence."Magna Charta Sureties, Weis, line 41C p 45:
Wikipedia: The poet and chronicler John Barbour provides us with a pen portrait of the Black Douglas, among the first of its kind in Scottish history.
: But he was not so fair that we
: Should praise his looks in high degree.
: In visage he was rather grey;
: His hair was black, so I heard say,
: His limbs were finely made and long,
: His bones were large, his shoulders strong,
: His body was well-knit and slim
: And those say that set eyes on him,
: When happy, loveable was he,
: And meek and sweet in company,
: But those with him in battle saw
: Another countenance he wore!
Lord of Douglas. He joined the revolt of Robert the Bruce. He escaped with Bruce from the battle of Methuen, three times destroyed English garrisons in his castle of Douglas. By his raids into England he earned the dreaded name of "the Black Douglas." He took Teviotdale, commanded the left wing at Bannockburn in 1314, invaded Yorkshire, defeated the army of the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Ely at Mitton in 1319, he surprised the English at Weardale in 1327, nearly capturing King Edward III. During the peace that followed, while carrying the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce to the Holy Land according to the dying king's wish, he fell to his death fighting Moors in Andalusia.
=== Name ===
: Name: James /Douglas/
Also known as:
*Good Sir James in Scotland
*The Black Douglas to the English
: Name: James /DOUGLAS/
: Name: Sir James "the Black" /Douglas/
=== Birth ===
: Birth:
:: Date: ABT 1286
:: Place: Douglas Castle, Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland
: Birth:
:: Date: ABT 1265
:: Place: Of, Douglas
:: Date: 1286
:: Place: Douglas Castle,Douglas,Lanarkshire,Scotland
=== Occupation ===
: Occupation: Lord of Galloway
=== Death ===
:: Date: 25 AUG 1330:: Place: Killed by Moors in Spain...carrying Robert the Bruce's heart to Holy Land
== Sources ==
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p10950.htm#i109499 The Peerage]* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Douglas,_Lord_of_Douglas Wikipedia]* Battle of Bannockburn: James Douglas [http://learning.battleofbannockburn.com/battlepedia/characters/james-douglas/#.WQaS7PnyvRY]
-- MERGED NOTE ------------
[[Category:Declaration of Arbroath, Douglas Family Worklist]]
[[Category:Battle of Stanhope Park]]
[[Category:Battle of Old Byland]]
[[Category:Battle of Myton]]
[[Category:Battle of Methven]]
[[Category:First War of Scottish Independence]]
[[Category:Scotland, Notables]]
[[Category:Clan Douglas]]
[[Category: Douglas of Douglas]]
[[Category:Lord of Douglas]]
[[Category:Battle of Bannockburn]]
[[Category: Battle of Teba]]
[[Category:Declaration of Arbroath]]
}
== Biography ==
}
}
===Family and Early Years===James Douglas was probably born about 1286, the son of [[Douglas-112|Sir William 'le Hardi' Douglas]] and [[Stewart-296|Elizabeth Stewart]], daughter of [[Stewart-296|Alexander Stewart]] (High Steward of Scotland). He had two younger brothers from his father's (second) marriage to [[Lovaine-1|Eleanor Lovaine]]: [[Douglas-1104|Hugh 'the Dull' Douglas]]; and [[Douglas-393|Archibald 'Tine-man' Douglas]].Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, p. 140 [https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03pauluoft/page/142/mode/2up James Douglas, Lord of Douglas].Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, p. 104 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. His father, one of the early supporters of William Wallace, was seized and imprisoned by Edward I in 1297Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online. Entry for ''Douglas, Sir James (d. 1330).'' Published 23 Sep 2004 [https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/7889 available online by subscription]. and James was sent to France for his own safety and to further his education.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, p. 106 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online].Dictionary of National Biography Online. Entry for ''Douglas, James (1286?-1330) '' [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Douglas,_James_(1286%3F-1330)_(DNB00) available here]. When he returned three years later, it was to find that his father had died a prisoner in the Tower of London and the family estate and all its lands had been given to Sir Robert Clifford, a particular favorite of King Edward I.
Back in Scotland, James joined the household of William Lamberton, bishop of St Andrews, as his [https://books.google.com/books?id=jtgud2P-EGwC&pg=PA162&lpg=PA162&dq=carver+in+medieval+dining&source=bl&ots=9lkQQnkTX3&sig=ACfU3U0j_LMmaIyQJ-kxsAW8mfnBF7_zMg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjHjazL9bHpAhXVN30KHZSKCXwQ6AEwGHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=carver%20in%20medieval%20dining&f=false carver]. Lamberton attempted to intercede with the king on James's behalf, asking that the Douglas lands be returned in exchange for James's oath of fealty, but he was soundly rebuffed by the king. Edward's refusal set in motion a train of events that may well have changed Scottish history. James Douglas, set on revenge and feeling he had nothing to lose, instead pledged his loyalty to [[Bruce-129|Robert Bruce ]] and (along with Bruce and Wallace) became one of the three great heroes of Scottish independence.Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, p. 142 [https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03pauluoft/page/142/mode/2up Heroes of Scottish Independence].
===Major Encounters===Douglas met with Robert Bruce at Annandale, where he was enroute to Scone to be crowned king of Scotland, and was present at the coronation on 27 March 1306.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, p. 109 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. He fought with Bruce in the Battle of Methven several months later, and from that point onward his unswerving loyalty to the king of Scotland and his ferociousness in battle became the source of legends.
He pioneered the concept of guerilla warfare, necessary because the Scots were almost always heavily outnumbered by the English army. Unlike the king's more traditional lieutenants (Edward Bruce, Walter Stewart, and Thomas Randolph), James Douglas proved to be "exceptionally crafty, resourceful, and relentless."Parkinson, David. ''Barbour's Black Douglas.'' Studies in Scottish Literature: Vol. 43: Issue 1, p. 50 [https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2144&context=ssl available online]. Weather and natural landscape features (borders, verges, and rivers) often played an important part in his battle strategies, and he became intrinsically associated with the forests from which his forces would launch surprise attacks upon the English.Parkinson, David. ''Barbour's Black Douglas.'' Studies in Scottish Literature: Vol. 43: Issue 1, p. 52, 54 [https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2144&context=ssl available online]. In battle he proved to be utterly ruthless. Although he participated in numerous campaigns both with and on behalf of Robert Bruce, three in particular illustrate why he was so beloved by the Scots and so feared by the English.
:::'''The Douglas Larder'''
While his forces were stationed in Ettrick Forest, Douglas took two men and went to Hazelside in Douglasdale, where he met with one of his father's old servants and began gathering a small company of vassals still loyal to their former lord.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014 loc. 1164. On 7 April 1308 (Palm Sunday) the entire garrison at Douglas Castle marched down to St Bride's Church to attend the service there. Douglas and his men, with weapons hidden under their clothing, also filed into the church. When, in the midst of the service, the war cry "A Douglas" echoed through the kirk, the carnage began.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014 loc. 1169.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, pp. 114-115 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. There was a fierce fight, and all of the English soldiers were either slain or taken prisoner.
Douglas and his men next went to the castle, his ancestral home, and feasted for several hours on the banquet that had been prepared for the garrison. After removing everything of value which they could carry, all of the castle's sacks of provisions and casks of wine were emptied into the cellar. The prisoners were then all beheaded and their heads and limbs thrown into the cellar as well, and finally the whole gruesome mess was set on fire. For good measure, on their way out the door the well was polluted with salt and dead horses. This was only the first of three raids that Douglas made against his former home (Sir Robert Clifford spent a great deal of money and time rebuilding the castle after this incident and, when he was finished, Douglas successfully burnt the entire castle to the ground) but it was by far the bloodiest and it became known throughout Scotland as The Douglas Larder.
:::'''Roxburgh Castle'''
Roxborough Castle was a strong fortification of great strategic importance because of its location in the middle Marches.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1274. In 1314, James Douglas chose the eve of Shrove Tuesday, when the castle's inhabitants would be engaged in religious festivities, to launch his strike. He hand-picked sixty men to cover their armor with black cloaks and instructed them to follow his example, approaching the castle on their hands and knees just after sunset. The two sentries on top of the wall could not see clearly in the growing darkness and assumed a neighboring farmer's cattle had got loose again.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1278-9. One of Douglas's men had designed special rope ladders which were quickly thrown over the walls, and before long the fearsome war cry of "Douglas! Douglas!" was echoing through the castle. Its unarmed inhabitants, who were feasting and dancing, were all slain.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, p. 125 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. The fall of Roxburgh was a major victory for King Robert, and perfectly illustrates the ingenius and unorthodox battle strategies that Douglas became so famous for.
:::'''Bannockburn'''
Later that same year Edward II marched into Scotland with an army of 50,000 men. Bruce's forces were said to number about 20,000.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1289-1295. The two forces met at Bannockburn, where on the eve of the battle James Douglas was made a [[Wikipedia:Knight banneret|knight banneret]] on the field, in the presence of the entire army.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, pp. 126 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online] He commanded one of the king's four divisions during the battle, and after the Scottish forces had routed the English army he received Bruce's permission to chase Edward II back across the English border. It was a key turning point in the war, but not the end of the fighting.
===Warden of the South Marches===By late 1316 King Robert had been summoned to Ireland to aid his brother Edward, who had been crowned king of that country in May of that year but was facing military difficulties. He left Scotland under the joint guardianship of James Douglas and Walter the Steward, and Douglas became the warden of the southern marches.Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, p. 143 [https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03pauluoft/page/142/mode/2up appointed Warden, bottom of page].Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1394. He conducted numerous forays into Northern England, wasting Northumberland and penetrating as far as Teesdale in Yorkshire. Approximately ninety towns and villages were burned and destoyed and at Mitton an army of almost 20,000 (mostly clergymen mustered by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Ely) was virtually slaughtered by the more experienced Scottish fighters. Durham alone was spared, in exchange for a hefty "protection" payment made to the Scots.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1367.
On 3 December 1318 the Scottish parliament convened at Scone to settle the matter of the succession in the event of the king's death. If the Bruce died without surviving issue, the succession would devolve upon Robert Stewart (the king's grandson by his daughter Marjory) and if Robert had not yet reached his majority, his tutor and guardian would be Thomas Randolph, earl of Moray, who was a relation of the king. In the event of Moray's death, it was decided that the guardianship of the young king would devolve onto James, Lord of Douglas.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, pp. 142 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. This was one more example of the great esteem in which Sir James Douglas was held by his countrymen.
In 1320 James, Lord of Douglas, was among the Scottish nobility who signed the famous Declaration of Arbroath.Brown, K.M. et al (eds.). ''Arbroath: record of assembly.'' Records of the Parliament of Scotland to 1707. [https://www.rps.ac.uk/search.php?action=print&id=324&filename=roberti_trans&type=trans available here].
===The Emerald Charter===When Edward II again invaded Scotland with a large army in 1322, Bruce and Douglas combined forces to force them south back into Yorkshire and eventually to Biland Abbey, which was protected by a pass which Douglas successfully (and against all odds) was able to take. The English army was forced to retreat but, during the battle, three French knights and their squires, fighting with the English, had surrendered to Douglas.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1514-1519. This was a problem, because at the time France had a treaty of alliance with Scotland. King Robert diplomatically assured the french king that it was understandable his knights, while visitors in England, would feel obligated to come to the assistance of their hosts, and Robert was returning them to France with no ill feelings.
The knights' ransoms, which were estimated to be approximately 4400 marks, would have gone to Douglas as their captor. In lieu of receiving any ransom, Sir James Douglas was granted the Emerald Charter. The Charter gave him the criminal jurisdiction of all the baronies and lands which he currently held (and these were many, having been awarded lands and estates after many of the battles in which he fought), except for jurisdiction over manslaughter and matters directly effecting the crown; and freed Douglas, his heirs, and tenants from all feudal services except for the necessity to give aid for the defense of the realm.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, pp. 155 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. The grant was absolute, with no terms of redondo, and was formalized by the king taking an emerald ring from his own hand and placing it on Douglas's finger. "....in order that this charter may have perpetual effect, we in our own person and with our own hand have placed on the hand of the said James of Douglas a ring, with a certain stone called an emeraude, in token of Sasine and perpetual endurance to the said James and his heirs forever."Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. iii, II where the charter is printed in full, cited in Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc.1519. Although the parchment on which the Emerald Charter was written is still in existence, the emerald ring has unfortunately been lost to time.
===Marriage and Children===Although some early sources suggest that James Douglas never married,Douglas, Sir Robert (1694-1770). ''Peerage of Scotland, containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom...'' Edinburgh: R. Fleming, 1764. Entry for Douglas, Duke of Douglas pp. 183-184 [https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004896980.0001.000/1:84?rgn=div1;view=fulltext available online]. Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms, wrote in 1904 that although "...the name of his wife has not been ascertained, there can be no doubt that Sir James Douglas was married and had a son and heir, [[Douglas-6427|William]]. He also had a natural son, [[Douglas-404|Archibald]], who became, under entail, the possessor of the estates and the third earl of Douglas."Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, pp. 132-146 [https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03pauluoft/page/146/mode/2up Archibald, natural son pg 146]. Most contemporary authorities are in agreement with this, although primary records of their births have not been found.Johnston, George Harvey. "The Earls of Douglas." ''The Heraldry of the Douglases: With Notes on All the Males of the Family, Descriptions of the Arms, Plates and Pedigrees.'' Edinburgh: W. & A.K. Johnston, Limited, 1907. pp. 13-15 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/95281355#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=18&xywh=39%2C-288%2C5611%2C4159 available online]. These are the only two known children of James Douglas.
===Death===On his death bed, King Robert elicited a promise that Douglas take his heart to the Holy Land in order to fulfill a pledge made many years earlier but never carried out, and then return it for burial at Melrose Abbey. Douglas began this pilgrimage 25 August 1330 (the day of St Brigit, his patron saint) accompanied by another knight banneret, seven ordinary knights, twenty-six esquires, and all of their accompanying retinue.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1616. The company stopped in Spain, where Douglas offered their assistance to Alfonso, king of Castile and Leon, who was at war with the Saracen king of Granada. There are varying accounts of how Sir James Douglas fell in battle at Turon, near Teba, but his death was recorded on 25 August 1330, his bones and the casket containing the king's heart both recovered and escorted solemnly back to Scotland. The occasion was memorialized many years later in ''Scotland's Story'' by H.E. Marshall:
:::''There lies beside his master's heart, the Douglas stark and grim;
:::''And woe is me I should be here, not side by side with him.
:::''And, Scotland, thou may'st veil they head in sorrow and in pain;
:::''The sorest stroke upon thy brow hath fallen this day in Spain.
:::''We bore the Good Lord James away, the priceless heart he bore;
:::''And heavily we steered our ship towards the Scottish shore.
:::''No welcome greeted our return, no clang of martial tread;
:::''But all were dumb and hushed as death before the mighty dead.
:::''We laid our chief in Douglas Kirk, the heart in fair Melrose;:::''And woeful men were we that day - God grant their souls repose.''Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1662-1667
== Sources ==
===See Also===*Cokayne, G.E. ''The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland Great Britain and the United Kingdom.'' London: St Catherine Press, 1916, Vol. IV, pp. 430-440 [https://archive.org/stream/completepeerageo04coka#page/430/mode/2up available online].
*Douglas, Sir Robert (1694-1770). ''Peerage of Scotland, containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom...'' Edinburgh: R. Fleming, 1764. Entry for Douglas, Duke of Douglas pp. 183-184 [https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004896980.0001.000/1:84?rgn=div1;view=fulltext available online].
*[[Wikipedia:James Douglas, Lord of Douglas|James Douglas, Lord of Douglas]]
*Johnston, George Harvey. "The Earls of Douglas." ''The Heraldry of the Douglases: With Notes on All the Males of the Family, Descriptions of the Arms, Plates and Pedigrees.'' Edinburgh: W. & A.K. Johnston, Limited, 1907. pp. 13-15 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/95281355#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=18&xywh=39%2C-288%2C5611%2C4159 available online].
*Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, pp. 132-146 [https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=f7AEAAAAIAAJ&hl=en&pg=GBS.PA142 available online].
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p10950.htm#i109499 The Peerage]
:::Songs/Videos:
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mh374DS2ZY The Black Douglas - The Corries]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqHCvjRX9Ys Scottish Borders Legends...The Black Douglas]
[[Category:Lord of Douglas]]
[[Category:Battle of Bannockburn]]
}
== Biography ==
: Fought for Robert the Bruce at Methven in 1306. One of the greatest Scots heroes : Then led a raid on Douglas Castle, his Douglasdale Estate. (It had been confiscated by the English). : Disguised as peasants, he & his men defeated the English garrison. This battle became known as the "Douglas Larder." : He & his men attacked & captured Roxburgh Castle, disguised as oxen.
: Known for his stealthy and effective means of combat. : Played a major role in the defeat of the English Army at Battle of Bannockburn. : One of the signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath, at Arbroath Abbey (1320). : 1329 Upon death of Bruce, entrusted to take his heart on pilgrimage to Holy Land. : 1330 Killed fighting the Moors in Spain while on this pilgrimage in Spain.
: His body & Bruce's heart were returned to Scotland.
: Interred: St. Bride's Church. Lord of Galloway.
: Clan Douglas Website: "His stealthy and effective means of combat are remembered in a children's bedtime song,
: "Hush ye, hush ye, little pet ye,
: Hush ye, hush ye, do not fret ye,
: The Black Douglas shall no get ye."
:"Known to theScots as "good Sir James", & to the the English as "the Black Douglas," he was, with Wallace & Bruce, one of the three great heroes of Scottish independence."Magna Charta Sureties, Weis, line 41C p 45:
Wikipedia: The poet and chronicler John Barbour provides us with a pen portrait of the Black Douglas, among the first of its kind in Scottish history.
: But he was not so fair that we
: Should praise his looks in high degree.
: In visage he was rather grey;
: His hair was black, so I heard say,
: His limbs were finely made and long,
: His bones were large, his shoulders strong,
: His body was well-knit and slim
: And those say that set eyes on him,
: When happy, loveable was he,
: And meek and sweet in company,
: But those with him in battle saw
: Another countenance he wore!
Lord of Douglas. He joined the revolt of Robert the Bruce. He escaped with Bruce from the battle of Methuen, three times destroyed English garrisons in his castle of Douglas. By his raids into England he earned the dreaded name of "the Black Douglas." He took Teviotdale, commanded the left wing at Bannockburn in 1314, invaded Yorkshire, defeated the army of the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Ely at Mitton in 1319, he surprised the English at Weardale in 1327, nearly capturing King Edward III. During the peace that followed, while carrying the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce to the Holy Land according to the dying king's wish, he fell to his death fighting Moors in Andalusia.
=== Name ===
: Name: James /Douglas/
Also known as:
*Good Sir James in Scotland
*The Black Douglas to the English
: Name: James /DOUGLAS/
: Name: Sir James "the Black" /Douglas/
=== Birth ===
: Birth:
:: Date: ABT 1286
:: Place: Douglas Castle, Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland
: Birth:
:: Date: ABT 1265
:: Place: Of, Douglas
:: Date: 1286
:: Place: Douglas Castle,Douglas,Lanarkshire,Scotland
=== Occupation ===
: Occupation: Lord of Galloway
=== Death ===
:: Date: 25 AUG 1330:: Place: Killed by Moors in Spain...carrying Robert the Bruce's heart to Holy Land
== Sources ==
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p10950.htm#i109499 The Peerage]* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Douglas,_Lord_of_Douglas Wikipedia]* Battle of Bannockburn: James Douglas [http://learning.battleofbannockburn.com/battlepedia/characters/james-douglas/#.WQaS7PnyvRY]
-- MERGED NOTE ------------
[[Category:Declaration of Arbroath, Douglas Family Worklist]]
[[Category:Battle of Stanhope Park]]
[[Category:Battle of Old Byland]]
[[Category:Battle of Myton]]
[[Category:Battle of Methven]]
[[Category:First War of Scottish Independence]]
[[Category:Scotland, Notables]]
[[Category:Clan Douglas]]
[[Category: Douglas of Douglas]]
[[Category:Lord of Douglas]]
[[Category:Battle of Bannockburn]]
[[Category: Battle of Teba]]
[[Category:Declaration of Arbroath]]
}
== Biography ==
}
}
===Family and Early Years===James Douglas was probably born about 1286, the son of [[Douglas-112|Sir William 'le Hardi' Douglas]] and [[Stewart-296|Elizabeth Stewart]], daughter of [[Stewart-296|Alexander Stewart]] (High Steward of Scotland). He had two younger brothers from his father's (second) marriage to [[Lovaine-1|Eleanor Lovaine]]: [[Douglas-1104|Hugh 'the Dull' Douglas]]; and [[Douglas-393|Archibald 'Tine-man' Douglas]].Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, p. 140 [https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03pauluoft/page/142/mode/2up James Douglas, Lord of Douglas].Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, p. 104 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. His father, one of the early supporters of William Wallace, was seized and imprisoned by Edward I in 1297Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online. Entry for ''Douglas, Sir James (d. 1330).'' Published 23 Sep 2004 [https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/7889 available online by subscription]. and James was sent to France for his own safety and to further his education.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, p. 106 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online].Dictionary of National Biography Online. Entry for ''Douglas, James (1286?-1330) '' [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Douglas,_James_(1286%3F-1330)_(DNB00) available here]. When he returned three years later, it was to find that his father had died a prisoner in the Tower of London and the family estate and all its lands had been given to Sir Robert Clifford, a particular favorite of King Edward I.
Back in Scotland, James joined the household of William Lamberton, bishop of St Andrews, as his [https://books.google.com/books?id=jtgud2P-EGwC&pg=PA162&lpg=PA162&dq=carver+in+medieval+dining&source=bl&ots=9lkQQnkTX3&sig=ACfU3U0j_LMmaIyQJ-kxsAW8mfnBF7_zMg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjHjazL9bHpAhXVN30KHZSKCXwQ6AEwGHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=carver%20in%20medieval%20dining&f=false carver]. Lamberton attempted to intercede with the king on James's behalf, asking that the Douglas lands be returned in exchange for James's oath of fealty, but he was soundly rebuffed by the king. Edward's refusal set in motion a train of events that may well have changed Scottish history. James Douglas, set on revenge and feeling he had nothing to lose, instead pledged his loyalty to [[Bruce-129|Robert Bruce ]] and (along with Bruce and Wallace) became one of the three great heroes of Scottish independence.Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, p. 142 [https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03pauluoft/page/142/mode/2up Heroes of Scottish Independence].
===Major Encounters===Douglas met with Robert Bruce at Annandale, where he was enroute to Scone to be crowned king of Scotland, and was present at the coronation on 27 March 1306.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, p. 109 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. He fought with Bruce in the Battle of Methven several months later, and from that point onward his unswerving loyalty to the king of Scotland and his ferociousness in battle became the source of legends.
He pioneered the concept of guerilla warfare, necessary because the Scots were almost always heavily outnumbered by the English army. Unlike the king's more traditional lieutenants (Edward Bruce, Walter Stewart, and Thomas Randolph), James Douglas proved to be "exceptionally crafty, resourceful, and relentless."Parkinson, David. ''Barbour's Black Douglas.'' Studies in Scottish Literature: Vol. 43: Issue 1, p. 50 [https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2144&context=ssl available online]. Weather and natural landscape features (borders, verges, and rivers) often played an important part in his battle strategies, and he became intrinsically associated with the forests from which his forces would launch surprise attacks upon the English.Parkinson, David. ''Barbour's Black Douglas.'' Studies in Scottish Literature: Vol. 43: Issue 1, p. 52, 54 [https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2144&context=ssl available online]. In battle he proved to be utterly ruthless. Although he participated in numerous campaigns both with and on behalf of Robert Bruce, three in particular illustrate why he was so beloved by the Scots and so feared by the English.
:::'''The Douglas Larder'''
While his forces were stationed in Ettrick Forest, Douglas took two men and went to Hazelside in Douglasdale, where he met with one of his father's old servants and began gathering a small company of vassals still loyal to their former lord.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014 loc. 1164. On 7 April 1308 (Palm Sunday) the entire garrison at Douglas Castle marched down to St Bride's Church to attend the service there. Douglas and his men, with weapons hidden under their clothing, also filed into the church. When, in the midst of the service, the war cry "A Douglas" echoed through the kirk, the carnage began.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014 loc. 1169.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, pp. 114-115 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. There was a fierce fight, and all of the English soldiers were either slain or taken prisoner.
Douglas and his men next went to the castle, his ancestral home, and feasted for several hours on the banquet that had been prepared for the garrison. After removing everything of value which they could carry, all of the castle's sacks of provisions and casks of wine were emptied into the cellar. The prisoners were then all beheaded and their heads and limbs thrown into the cellar as well, and finally the whole gruesome mess was set on fire. For good measure, on their way out the door the well was polluted with salt and dead horses. This was only the first of three raids that Douglas made against his former home (Sir Robert Clifford spent a great deal of money and time rebuilding the castle after this incident and, when he was finished, Douglas successfully burnt the entire castle to the ground) but it was by far the bloodiest and it became known throughout Scotland as The Douglas Larder.
:::'''Roxburgh Castle'''
Roxborough Castle was a strong fortification of great strategic importance because of its location in the middle Marches.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1274. In 1314, James Douglas chose the eve of Shrove Tuesday, when the castle's inhabitants would be engaged in religious festivities, to launch his strike. He hand-picked sixty men to cover their armor with black cloaks and instructed them to follow his example, approaching the castle on their hands and knees just after sunset. The two sentries on top of the wall could not see clearly in the growing darkness and assumed a neighboring farmer's cattle had got loose again.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1278-9. One of Douglas's men had designed special rope ladders which were quickly thrown over the walls, and before long the fearsome war cry of "Douglas! Douglas!" was echoing through the castle. Its unarmed inhabitants, who were feasting and dancing, were all slain.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, p. 125 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. The fall of Roxburgh was a major victory for King Robert, and perfectly illustrates the ingenius and unorthodox battle strategies that Douglas became so famous for.
:::'''Bannockburn'''
Later that same year Edward II marched into Scotland with an army of 50,000 men. Bruce's forces were said to number about 20,000.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1289-1295. The two forces met at Bannockburn, where on the eve of the battle James Douglas was made a [[Wikipedia:Knight banneret|knight banneret]] on the field, in the presence of the entire army.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, pp. 126 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online] He commanded one of the king's four divisions during the battle, and after the Scottish forces had routed the English army he received Bruce's permission to chase Edward II back across the English border. It was a key turning point in the war, but not the end of the fighting.
===Warden of the South Marches===By late 1316 King Robert had been summoned to Ireland to aid his brother Edward, who had been crowned king of that country in May of that year but was facing military difficulties. He left Scotland under the joint guardianship of James Douglas and Walter the Steward, and Douglas became the warden of the southern marches.Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, p. 143 [https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03pauluoft/page/142/mode/2up appointed Warden, bottom of page].Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1394. He conducted numerous forays into Northern England, wasting Northumberland and penetrating as far as Teesdale in Yorkshire. Approximately ninety towns and villages were burned and destoyed and at Mitton an army of almost 20,000 (mostly clergymen mustered by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Ely) was virtually slaughtered by the more experienced Scottish fighters. Durham alone was spared, in exchange for a hefty "protection" payment made to the Scots.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1367.
On 3 December 1318 the Scottish parliament convened at Scone to settle the matter of the succession in the event of the king's death. If the Bruce died without surviving issue, the succession would devolve upon Robert Stewart (the king's grandson by his daughter Marjory) and if Robert had not yet reached his majority, his tutor and guardian would be Thomas Randolph, earl of Moray, who was a relation of the king. In the event of Moray's death, it was decided that the guardianship of the young king would devolve onto James, Lord of Douglas.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, pp. 142 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. This was one more example of the great esteem in which Sir James Douglas was held by his countrymen.
In 1320 James, Lord of Douglas, was among the Scottish nobility who signed the famous Declaration of Arbroath.Brown, K.M. et al (eds.). ''Arbroath: record of assembly.'' Records of the Parliament of Scotland to 1707. [https://www.rps.ac.uk/search.php?action=print&id=324&filename=roberti_trans&type=trans available here].
===The Emerald Charter===When Edward II again invaded Scotland with a large army in 1322, Bruce and Douglas combined forces to force them south back into Yorkshire and eventually to Biland Abbey, which was protected by a pass which Douglas successfully (and against all odds) was able to take. The English army was forced to retreat but, during the battle, three French knights and their squires, fighting with the English, had surrendered to Douglas.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1514-1519. This was a problem, because at the time France had a treaty of alliance with Scotland. King Robert diplomatically assured the french king that it was understandable his knights, while visitors in England, would feel obligated to come to the assistance of their hosts, and Robert was returning them to France with no ill feelings.
The knights' ransoms, which were estimated to be approximately 4400 marks, would have gone to Douglas as their captor. In lieu of receiving any ransom, Sir James Douglas was granted the Emerald Charter. The Charter gave him the criminal jurisdiction of all the baronies and lands which he currently held (and these were many, having been awarded lands and estates after many of the battles in which he fought), except for jurisdiction over manslaughter and matters directly effecting the crown; and freed Douglas, his heirs, and tenants from all feudal services except for the necessity to give aid for the defense of the realm.Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. Vol. I, pp. 155 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/96805358#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=14&xywh=0%2C-227%2C5049%2C3743 available online]. The grant was absolute, with no terms of redondo, and was formalized by the king taking an emerald ring from his own hand and placing it on Douglas's finger. "....in order that this charter may have perpetual effect, we in our own person and with our own hand have placed on the hand of the said James of Douglas a ring, with a certain stone called an emeraude, in token of Sasine and perpetual endurance to the said James and his heirs forever."Fraser, Sir William. ''The Douglas Books.'' Edinburgh, 1885. iii, II where the charter is printed in full, cited in Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc.1519. Although the parchment on which the Emerald Charter was written is still in existence, the emerald ring has unfortunately been lost to time.
===Marriage and Children===Although some early sources suggest that James Douglas never married,Douglas, Sir Robert (1694-1770). ''Peerage of Scotland, containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom...'' Edinburgh: R. Fleming, 1764. Entry for Douglas, Duke of Douglas pp. 183-184 [https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004896980.0001.000/1:84?rgn=div1;view=fulltext available online]. Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms, wrote in 1904 that although "...the name of his wife has not been ascertained, there can be no doubt that Sir James Douglas was married and had a son and heir, [[Douglas-6427|William]]. He also had a natural son, [[Douglas-404|Archibald]], who became, under entail, the possessor of the estates and the third earl of Douglas."Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, pp. 132-146 [https://archive.org/details/scotspeeragefoun03pauluoft/page/146/mode/2up Archibald, natural son pg 146]. Most contemporary authorities are in agreement with this, although primary records of their births have not been found.Johnston, George Harvey. "The Earls of Douglas." ''The Heraldry of the Douglases: With Notes on All the Males of the Family, Descriptions of the Arms, Plates and Pedigrees.'' Edinburgh: W. & A.K. Johnston, Limited, 1907. pp. 13-15 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/95281355#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=18&xywh=39%2C-288%2C5611%2C4159 available online]. These are the only two known children of James Douglas.
===Death===On his death bed, King Robert elicited a promise that Douglas take his heart to the Holy Land in order to fulfill a pledge made many years earlier but never carried out, and then return it for burial at Melrose Abbey. Douglas began this pilgrimage 25 August 1330 (the day of St Brigit, his patron saint) accompanied by another knight banneret, seven ordinary knights, twenty-six esquires, and all of their accompanying retinue.Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1616. The company stopped in Spain, where Douglas offered their assistance to Alfonso, king of Castile and Leon, who was at war with the Saracen king of Granada. There are varying accounts of how Sir James Douglas fell in battle at Turon, near Teba, but his death was recorded on 25 August 1330, his bones and the casket containing the king's heart both recovered and escorted solemnly back to Scotland. The occasion was memorialized many years later in ''Scotland's Story'' by H.E. Marshall:
:::''There lies beside his master's heart, the Douglas stark and grim;
:::''And woe is me I should be here, not side by side with him.
:::''And, Scotland, thou may'st veil they head in sorrow and in pain;
:::''The sorest stroke upon thy brow hath fallen this day in Spain.
:::''We bore the Good Lord James away, the priceless heart he bore;
:::''And heavily we steered our ship towards the Scottish shore.
:::''No welcome greeted our return, no clang of martial tread;
:::''But all were dumb and hushed as death before the mighty dead.
:::''We laid our chief in Douglas Kirk, the heart in fair Melrose;:::''And woeful men were we that day - God grant their souls repose.''Maxwell, Sir Herbert. ''A History of the House of Douglas.'', London, 1902, Vol. I, chapter 2; e-edition published by Brighid Media, 24 Jun 2014, loc. 1662-1667
== Sources ==
===See Also===*Cokayne, G.E. ''The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland Great Britain and the United Kingdom.'' London: St Catherine Press, 1916, Vol. IV, pp. 430-440 [https://archive.org/stream/completepeerageo04coka#page/430/mode/2up available online].
*Douglas, Sir Robert (1694-1770). ''Peerage of Scotland, containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom...'' Edinburgh: R. Fleming, 1764. Entry for Douglas, Duke of Douglas pp. 183-184 [https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004896980.0001.000/1:84?rgn=div1;view=fulltext available online].
*[[Wikipedia:James Douglas, Lord of Douglas|James Douglas, Lord of Douglas]]
*Johnston, George Harvey. "The Earls of Douglas." ''The Heraldry of the Douglases: With Notes on All the Males of the Family, Descriptions of the Arms, Plates and Pedigrees.'' Edinburgh: W. & A.K. Johnston, Limited, 1907. pp. 13-15 [https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/95281355#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=18&xywh=39%2C-288%2C5611%2C4159 available online].
*Paul, Sir James Balfour (Lord Lyon King of Arms). ''The Scots Peerage.'' Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1904 , Vol. 3, pp. 132-146 [https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=f7AEAAAAIAAJ&hl=en&pg=GBS.PA142 available online].
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p10950.htm#i109499 The Peerage]
:::Songs/Videos:
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mh374DS2ZY The Black Douglas - The Corries]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqHCvjRX9Ys Scottish Borders Legends...The Black Douglas]
Events
| Birth | 1286 | Douglas Castle, Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland | |||
| Death | 25 Aug 1330 | Battle of Tepa, Andelucia, Spain | |||
| Death | 25 Aug 1330 | Teba, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain | |||
| Marriage | Living | ||||
| Alt name | Sir James "The Good Sir James, The Black Douglas" Douglas | ||||
| Reference No | 1005051 | ||||
| Reference No | 1026372 | ||||
| Reference No | 60 |
Families
| Spouse | Living |
| Child | Sir Archibald "The Grim" Douglas (1325 - 1400) |
| Spouse | Joan Unknown (1287 - ) |
| Child | William "6th Lord of Douglas" Douglas (1317 - 1333) |
| Father | Sir William "Le Hardi, 5th Laird of Douglas" Douglas Knt (1255 - 1299) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Stewart (1245 - 1296) |
| Sibling | Barbara Douglas (1280 - 1350) |