The Life and Times of The 'Good' Sir James Douglas

Death of King Alexander III

The sudden death of the Scottish king was over the next 10 years exploited by Edward I of England to extend his rights as superior lord of the Scottish king and realm. The Scots were having none of it and the result was war.

1286

Birth of James Douglas

James Douglas (later Sir James, Lord of Douglas) was born at Douglas Castle, Lanarkshire, Scotland, the son of William “Le Hardi” Douglas. Le Hardi was most notable for being the first Lord to join Sir William Wallace in his revolt against English rule.

1286

Scotland in revolt

Open revolt spread across Scotland in 1295. In March 1296 Edward attacked and took Berwick-upon-Tweed, and murdered many of the inhabitants. James’ father, Sir William Le Hardi Douglas was captured at Berwick, but later freed when he swore allegiance to Edward.

1296

First War of Scottish Independence

Sir William had rejoined the revolt against Edward. The Scottish and English armies came face to face at Irvine, and the Scots decided to sue for peace. As part of the terms, both Sir Robert the Bruce and Sir William agreed to turn over their eldest children as hostages to assure their allegiance. In reality, they had no intention of doing so. The Bruce hid his infant daughter and Sir William sent Sir James to France. In a further attempt to placate Edward, Sir William was handed over to the English.

1297

Sir Willam “Le Hardi” Douglas dies a prisoner of the English king

James's father had been imprisoned for the third time, the king showing no mercy, and this time it was permanent. Dead by 1299, he was a "martyr to English tyranny"

1299

James returns to Scotland

James sought the advice of Bishop Lamberton of St. Andrews, and others, on his return. He was now landless, his castle was in English hands and the Lordship of Douglas granted to the English magnate Robert Clifford.

abt 1300

James brought into English allegiance

Hoping to obtain the return of his lands, in a quest for denied rights James gave allegiance to King Edward.

1302

Bruce becomes king

With the support of the bishop of Glasgow, Bruce became King Robert I of Scotland. He then began a campaign to free his kingdom from the English. Now, along with Bruce and Wallace, James became one of the three great heroes of Scottish independence.

1306

James meets Bruce at Ericstane

It was, perhaps, inevitable that two men seeking their rights and 'fredome' should bond in a common cause.

1306

June

Battle of Methven

Bruce’s fledgling army were defeated at the Battle of Methven. James escaped with the Bruce and accompanied him as he wandered in the Highlands.

1306

July or August

Battle of Dalrigh

Bruce finds his route blocked by a large force of MacDougalls, supporters of Bruce’s rival Balliol and the English. Bruce’s small force was outnumbered and not prepared for battle so the result was a foregone conclusion. What few horses Bruce still had were cut down by the MacDougall axemen and many of his most valued allies such as James Douglas were wounded during the engagement. Bruce and his remaining supporters including James Douglas retreated to Rathlin Island, Ireland, but returned to Scotland the following year.

1306

March

Battle of Glen Trool

Robert Bruce's Scottish army defeated the English, led by Sir Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke

1307

Palm Sunday

James expels English from Douglas Castle

The event has become known as "Douglas' larder". All the English soldiers were slaughted and their bodies thrown into the well. The English retook the castle on two further occasions and again James captured it, eventually destroying the building to prevent his enemies using it.

1307

May

Battle of Loudoun Hill

When James Douglas apparently attacked de Valence's representative, Philip de Mowbray, he was furious and came north once more to challenge Bruce to fight. Bruce promptly accepted this challenge and the scene was set for a pre-arranged battle on the plains at Loudoun Hill on 10 May 1307. Robert Bruce's Scottish army defeated the English.

1307

June

King Edward I dies

Without his leadership, the invasion petered out. His son made an attempt to continue, but had too many tasks at home to deal with, including his coronation, to make a serious attempt. For the next seven years, the new English King Edward II was far too busy with domestic issues to be able to send any major force north against Bruce.

1307

Battle of Pass of Brander

At the Pass of Brander Bruce took bloody revenge against the MacDougalls. Once again with the Black Douglas by his side he completely destroyed the MacDougall’s and finally put an end to Scottish resistance to his claim to the throne.

1308

Assault on castle of Rutherglen

After defeating the Macdougals at the Pass of Brander, Bruce and Douglas turned south to successfully assault the castle of Rutherglen near Glasgow, and then going on to a further campaign in Galloway.

1308

Cross border raids and land recovery

Bruce and Douglas capture many English-held towns and castles in Scotland
Many raids into Scotland by the English were repulsed during this period.

1308 - 1314

Shrove Tuesday

Capture of Roxburgh Castle

James Douglas, with a party of men, scaled the walls clad in black to disguise their armour and took Roxburgh castle. It is said that this is when the rhyme: 'Hush ye, hush, the Black Douglas willna get ye' originated.

1314

James Douglas created a Knight Banneret

This battlefield distinction allowed a knight to lead his men in battle under his own banner.

1314

June

Battle of Bannockburn

As every Scot knows, the Battle of Bannockburn was fought and won in 1314; although it did not bring outright victory in the war, which lay 14 years in the future and would only be won at the negotiating table.

Read More 1314

Sir James became the Warden of the Southern Marches.

1316

April

Capture of Berwick

Berwick-upon-Tweed, the last Scottish-claimed stronghold still in the hands of the English, was captured by Sir James Douglas and Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, two of King Robert Bruce's most able commanders.

1318

Sir James gets his lands - 1

Sir James received a grant of the lands of Polbuthy, or Polmoody, in Moffatdale.

1318

Sir James gets his lands - 2

He now received the lands, castle, and forest of Jedburgh with Bonjedward, and the barony of Stabilgorton in Eskdale. His estate of Douglas was defined by a bounding charter to include the two parishes of Douglas and Carmichael, and he further received the extensive barony of Westerkirk in Eskdale. About this time, also, he had grants of Ettrick Forest, of Lauderdale and the barony of Bedrule in Teviotdale.

1318 - 1324

Battle of Myton

The Battle of Myton, nicknamed the Chapter of Myton or The White Battle because of the number of clergy involved, was a major engagement in the First Scottish War of Independence, fought in Yorkshire.

1319

Declaration of Arbroath

Scottish nobles sent the Declaration of Arbroath to Pope John XXII, affirming Scottish independence from England. Sir James was amongst th signatories.

1320

Battle of Old Byland

The Battle of Old Byland (also known as the Battle of Byland Moor and Battle of Byland Abbey) was a significant encounter between Scots and English troops in Yorkshire in October 1322, forming part of the Wars of Scottish Independence. It was a victory for the Scots, the most significant since Bannockburn, though on a far smaller scale.

1322

Emerald Charter; Sir James gets his lands

In the Douglas Emerald (Emruald) Charter, many lands were listed as being conferred upon Sir James, Lord of Douglas (c1286-1330) by King Robert 1st, and without feudal obligations, including the Barony of Douglas, Constabulary of Lauder, Forest of Selkirk, Forest of Ettrick, Forest of Traquair, Forest of Jedburgh with Bonjedburgh (Bonjedward), the Barony of Bethocroul (Bedrule), and the Baronies of Westerkirk (Wastyrker - Half Barony in 1321), Staplegorton in 1320 and Romanno.

1324

January

Edward III succeeds his father as King of England

The incompetent and much despised Edward II was deposed and killed at Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire. He was succeeded by his fourteen year old son Edward III.

1327

February

Battle of Stanhope Park

The Battle of Stanhope Park, part of the First War of Scottish Independence, took place during the night of 4 August 1327. The Scots led a raid into Weardale, and the newly crowned Edward III led an army to drive them back. James Douglas led, among other ambushes, an attack into Edwards camp.

1327

Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton

Thie treaty recognised the independence of Scotland and Robert the Bruce as King. To further seal the peace, Robert's son and heir David married the sister of Edward III.

1328

June

Robert the Bruce dies

As Robert the Bruce lay dying he made a last request to his friend and trusted Lieutenant, Sir James Douglas. After his death, Sir James should take his embalmed heart and bear it with him on crusade.

1329

Spring

The pilgrimage began

Sir James Douglas armed with ‘a safe conduct’ from Edward III of England and ‘a letter of recommendation’ to King Alfonso, king of Castile and Leon, left Berwick to sail for Sluys in Flanders. Jean de Bel said that Douglas was accompanied by one Knight Banneret, six ordinary Knights and twenty Esquires. Douglas and his party remained in Sluys for 12 days and then departed by ship for Spain, finally disembarking at Seville. There he presented his credentials to King Alfonso.

1330

August

Battle of Teba

Carrying the heart of Bruce around his neck, Sir James was killed fighting the Moors.

Read More 1330

Return to Scotland

The surviving Scottish knights brought James's body back to Scotland where he was entombed in the town of Douglas. From that day on the Douglases have borne a human heart in their coat of arms. Bruce's heart was also taken home to Scotland and buried at Melrose Abbey where it remains to this day.

1330

August

Second Scottish War of Independence begins

Following the death of Robert the Bruce on 7th June, he is succeeded by his son King David II, aged 4. On 12th August, Edward Balliol, son of the former King John Balliol and leading a group of Scottish nobles, known as the ‘Disinherited’, invaded Scotland by sea, landing in Fife. At the Battle of Dupplin Moor, Edward Balliol’s army defeated a much larger Scottish force;

1332

Battle of Halidon Hill

Archibald Douglas, guardian for David II, defeated and killed by Edward III. A new generation of Douglases resumes the fight for Scottish Independence.

1333

Second War of Scottish Independence ends

The Treaty of Berwick, signed at Berwick-upon-Tweed, England, in 1357, officially ended the Second War of Scottish Independence.

1357