William the Hardy, Lord of Douglas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Douglas
Lord of Douglas
Seal of William the Hardy
Predecessor	William Longleg, Lord of Douglas
Successor	Sir James Douglas
Born	1243 Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died	24 January 1298 (aged 54-55) Tower of London, England
Noble family	Clan Douglas
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Stewart Eleanor de Lovaine
Issue	Sir James Douglas Sir Archibald Douglas Hugh Douglas
Father	William Longleg, Lord of Douglas
Mother	Constance of Fawdon

Arms of William the Hardy

Sir William Douglas, known as "the Bold" ("le Hardi"), was an important Scottish nobleman and soldier. He lived from 1243 to 1298 and was the Lord of Douglas. He played a key role in the early parts of the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Early Life and Family

William Douglas was the son of William Longleg, Lord of Douglas. His mother was likely Constance Battail of Fawdon. We first hear about William in 1256. This was when his father gave him some land in Warndon, Northumberland.

William's father, William Longleg, was the Lord of Fawdon. He had a disagreement with his superior, Gilbert de Umfraville. Umfraville attacked Fawdon and took goods worth about £100. William Douglas was hurt during this fight. It was so bad that they "nearly cut off his head."

A Possible Crusade

Some historians believe that William Douglas might have gone on the Eighth Crusade. This was a religious war in 1270. He may have traveled with other Scottish nobles. However, there is no clear proof of this. It is just a theory based on old writings.

Becoming Lord of Douglas

William's father, Longleg, passed away around 1274. By the end of that decade, William the Hardy was in charge of his family's lands. He became known as the Lord of Douglas.

William was made a knight before 1288. That year, he helped Sir Andrew Moray to capture Sir Hugh de Abernethy. Abernethy had been involved in the killing of Donnchadh III, Earl of Fife. The Earl was one of the six Guardians of Scotland, who ruled the country. Abernethy died while he was held prisoner.

In 1289, William asked for some important family papers. These papers were kept safe at the Priory of Lesmahagow. When he received them, he signed as Dominus de Duglas, which means Lord of Douglas. This was the first time this title was officially used.

William's Marriages

Elizabeth Stewart

William Douglas first married Elizabeth Stewart. She was the daughter of Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland. They had a son named James. Elizabeth likely died before 1288, possibly during childbirth.

Eleanor de Lovaine

In 1288, William Douglas and another knight surrounded Fa'side Castle. Inside the castle was Eleanor, a wealthy widow. She was the daughter of Matthew de Lovaine. King Edward of England had given her money from her late husband's lands. Eleanor had come to Scotland to collect money from her own lands.

Instead of attacking the castle, Douglas took Eleanor away. He brought her to Douglas Castle.

The King's Reaction

King Edward was very angry about Eleanor being taken. He ordered William Douglas to be put in prison and fined. But he also allowed William to marry Eleanor. They were married soon after.

King Edward wanted Douglas and his friend arrested. He also told the Scottish Guardians to hand over Douglas and Eleanor. However, the Guardians did not obey. This was because Douglas was related to some of them. Also, they did not like how demanding the English king was.

First Time in Prison

William Douglas was captured by the English king in early 1290. He was held at Knaresborough Castle. His time in prison was not too harsh. He was released in the spring of 1290. His wife, Eleanor, helped him get out by finding four knights to promise his return.

After his release, William was back in King Edward's favor. His lands in Northumberland were given back to him. Eleanor Douglas had to pay a fine of £100. To pay this, some of her lands in England were taken by the King in 1296.

Leading Up to War

William Douglas's seal is on the Treaty of Salisbury. This treaty agreed to a marriage between Margaret, the Maid of Norway, and Edward of Caernarfon. Douglas was also among the nobles who created the Treaty of Birgham. This treaty decided the future of Scotland.

In June 1291, the Scottish Guardians accepted King Edward as the "Lord Paramount" of Scotland. This meant he had the highest power. William Douglas swore loyalty to King Edward in a chapel near Innerwick.

By the end of 1291, Douglas was again out of favor with King Edward. His lands in Douglasdale were taken by the English King. Edward put his own officers in charge of these lands.

John Balliol became King of Scots in November 1292. Douglas did not attend his first parliament. He was declared a "defaulter" for this. Douglas did attend the second parliament. But he was put in prison again for not following royal orders. He had also imprisoned some royal officers in Douglas Castle.

The Siege of Berwick

In 1295, Scottish nobles were unhappy with King John Balliol. They formed a new group of Guardians. These Guardians made a treaty with France and Norway. This treaty became known as the Auld Alliance. Douglas joined his countrymen. He was made Governor of Berwick upon Tweed. Berwick was the most important trading city in Scotland.

When the Guardians challenged King Edward, he arrived at Berwick with a huge army. What followed was a very brutal event called the Sack of Berwick. The English army attacked the town on Good Friday 1296. They showed no mercy to the people. The killing lasted for two days. Between 7,500 and 8,500 people died.

William Douglas and his soldiers bravely defended Berwick Castle. But seeing the terrible slaughter, they surrendered to King Edward. The soldiers were allowed to leave with their weapons. However, Douglas was imprisoned. His remaining lands in England were taken away. His two-year-old son, Hugh, was also taken into care by the Sheriff of Essex.

The Ragman Roll

Douglas was held in the Hog's Tower at Berwick Castle. He stayed there until he was freed. To gain his freedom, he had to sign the Ragman Roll. This was a document where many Scottish nobles swore loyalty to King Edward.

Soon after swearing his new oath, Douglas got his Scottish lands back. But he did not get his English lands. His lands in Northumberland were given to his old enemy, Gilbert de Umfraville. Because of this, Douglas was eager to join the Scottish fight for freedom.

Joining William Wallace

After the Battle of Dunbar, many Scottish nobles were in English prisons. The Scottish people were restless. There was talk of a new leader, William Wallace of Elderslie. Wallace had started his own fight against the English.

Douglas was called to London by King Edward in July 1297. Edward wanted him to join an army going to Flanders. But Douglas refused. Instead, he joined Wallace. Many Scottish nobles thought Wallace was not important enough. But Douglas did not feel that way. He was the first nobleman to join Wallace's rebellion in 1297.

They combined their forces at Sanquhar and Durisdeer. Later, at Scone Abbey, they captured the English treasury. Wallace used this money to fund more rebellion. Wallace then joined forces with Sir Andrew Moray. Together, they led the Scottish army to a great victory at the Battle at Stirling Bridge on September 11, 1297. Other Scottish patriots also joined them.

Bruce's Attack on Douglas Castle

When King Edward heard that Douglas had joined Wallace, he ordered Robert Bruce to attack Douglas Castle. Bruce was then governor of Carlisle Castle for the English.

However, young Robert Bruce, who was 22 years old, decided to join the Scottish rebels instead. He said, "I must join my own people and the nation in which I was born." He was then joined by the men of Douglas and Lady Douglas. They went to join the rebels at Irvine.

The Capitulation of Irvine

Douglas was captured by King Edward for the third time after July 9, 1297. He was accused of breaking his peace agreement with Edward. This agreement was known as the Capitulation at Irving Water. Douglas had been with Robert Bruce and other Scottish nobles when this agreement was made.

By the time Sir Andrew de Moray and William Wallace won their big victory at Stirling, Sir William the Hardy was again a prisoner. He was held in Berwick Castle, in a part now called 'Douglas Tower'.

Death

After Wallace's success at Stirling Bridge, the English fled Berwick upon Tweed. They took Douglas and another Scottish prisoner, Thomas de Morham, with them. Both were sent to the Tower of London on October 12, 1297. William Douglas died there on January 24, 1298. He passed away due to poor treatment.

William's Children

William the Hardy was married twice and had three sons.

With Elizabeth Stewart:

• Sir James Douglas: He was also known as Good Sir James or the Black Douglas. He was an ancestor of the "Black Douglases."

With Eleanor de Lovaine:

• Hugh Douglas
• Sir Archibald Douglas: He was an ancestor of the "Red Douglas" Earls of Angus.

Preceded by William "Longleg"

Lord of Douglas c. 1274 – c. 1298

Succeeded by Sir James Douglas