Countess of Mar Margaret of Mar

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• Reference Number: 188

Notes:

Margaret of Mar (died c. 1391) was Countess of Mar, an ancient Earldom in Scotland, in her own right.

She was a daughter of Domhnall II of Mar and after the death of her childless brother Thomas became Countess of Mar. She had married William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, who was succeeded by their son, James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas and Earl of Mar and Garioch in right of his mother, and when he fell, leading the Scots at the battle of Otterburn.

She was succeeded by her daughter, Isabel, who became Countess of Mar, possessed the Lordship of the Garioch, and also became the Countesss of the unentailed lands of the House of Douglas.

Margaret — William Douglas. William (son of Archibald of Douglas and Beatrice Lindsay) was born 1327, Scotland; died May 1384, Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland; was buried , Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 4266

Notes:

Isabel was the sister of the famous James 2nd Earl of Douglas and Earl of Mar, who died leading the Scots to victory at the Battle of Otterburn. He died without any legitimate children and his sister Isabel inherited most of his property, excluding only the Douglas lands which could only pass through the male line. After being confirmed as Countess she then became the most sought after bride in the realm and soon was married to Sir Malcolm Drummond, brother of Annabella, Queen of King Robert III. This marriage however failed to produce any children and the Countess soon became the focus of several plots to usurp her lands by scheming nobleman.

While the couple resided at the chief seat to the Earldom of Mar, Kildrummy Castle, Sir Malcolm was frequently away on royal business being the Kings brother-in-law and also one of his close advisors. It was in the year 1402 that Isabel's life would take an unexpected and tragic turn from which she would never recover. While Sir Malcolm was away at one of his other castles, he was suddenly attacked by a large group of highlanders led by the infamous Alexander Stewart, illegitimate son of the Wolf of Badenoch. Alexander then proceeded to capture the castle and put Sir Malcolm into one of his dungeons where he soon died at the hands of his captor. Because the king was by this time sick and infirm and real power was in the hands of his younger brother the Duke of Albany, Isabel was now completely isolated and was now easy prey for her husband's murderer. In the summer of 1404, Alexander and his gang of highlanders descended on her castle of Kildrummy and captured it along with the Countess and was soon able to extort from her a signed document promising to marry Alexander and give over to him all of her lands, including the earldom of Mar and lordship of the Garioch. Under normal circumstances this incident possibly would not have been allowed to stand, but Isabel had the misfortune that these events took place during the regency of the Duke of Albany who was in fact the uncle of this Alexander Stewart. Because his relation to the Royal Family and friendhip with his uncle saved him from any actual punishment, Isabel was forced to marry the man who murdered her husband and live the last four years of her life as a captive. She died in the year 1408 without children and gained a measure of revenge over Alexander when his son and heir died without children in the lifetime of his father. The earldom of Mar then reverted to the crown and was later given to John Erskine, 1st Earl of Mar whose descendents hold it to this day.

From: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabel_Douglas,_Countess_of_Mar)

Isabel — Malcolm Drummond. (son of John Drummond and Mary Montifex) [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 4268

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Sir James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas and Mar (c. 1358 - 14 August 1388) was an influential and powerful magnate in the Kingdom of Scotland.

Early life:

He was son and heir of William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas and Margaret, Countess of Mar. By the time his father had made over lands in Liddesdale to him in 1380, he had been knighted, being known as Sir James Douglas of Liddesdale. Earlier his father had been in dispute with King Robert over the latter's succession to King David II, but returned to royal favour by concluding a marriage contract between his son and the Princess Isabel, thus binding the Douglases close to the throne.

Earl of Douglas and Mar:

In May 1384, the 1st Earl of Douglas died from a fever, and his son inherited. Around the same time a French embassy arrived in Scotland to negotiate a truce between Franco-Scots Allies and England. While deliberations were taking place in Edinburgh, a further party of French knights arrived at Montrose. These adventurers led by Geoffroi de Charny, sent word to the court at Edinburgh, from Perth where they had marched to, in which they offered their services against the English. The new Earl of Douglas, and Sir David Lindsay mustered their men joined forces with the French knights and led a raid into England where the ravaged lands belonging to the Percy Earl of Northumberland, and the Mowbray Earl of Nottingham. While this Chevauchée was happening, the Scots agreed to the tripartite truce on the 7th July which was to last until May the following year. De Charny and his knights returned to France but promised to Douglas that they would return as soon as possible.

In 1385 when the truce expired, Douglas made war on the English. The French were as good as their word and had previously arrived at Leith with a contingent of Chivalry, armour and monies. The French under Jean de Vienne, Admiral of France joined forces with the Scots. Finding that the army of Richard II of England was numerically superior to the Franco-Scots, Douglas allowed the English to advance to Edinburgh, wisely refusing battle, the English army destroyed the Abbies of Melrose, Newbattle and Dryburgh, as well as burning the burgh's of Haddington and the capital itself. Douglas contented himself with a destructive counter-raid on Carlisle and Durham, leading the French, and the men of Galloway, under his cousin Archibald the Grim. Disputes soon arose between the allies, and the French returned home at the end of the year.

1386 saw squabbling between the Earl of Northumberland, and John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby over the wardenship of the Eastern March. Roger de Clifford, 5th Baron de Clifford, the warden of the Western March, was engaged to keep the peace between the rivals. While Clifford was away from his duties in the west, Douglas accompanied by the Earl of Fife led a force deep into Cumberland, and raided and burnt the town of Cockermouth.

Otterburn and death:

Invasion of England:

In 1388 Richard II had domestic troubles with his recalcitrant barons and was occupied far to the south, and the time seemed right for invasion to avenge the destruction of 1385.

The Scots, following an agreement made between the nobility at Aberdeen, mustered at Jedburgh in August, including the levies of the earls of Fife, March, Moray and those of Archibald the Grim. Upon finding from an English spy, that the English warden Percy was aware of the muster, and was planning a counter strike, the Scots command decided to split the army, with Fife leading the main body into Cumberland, while a smaller mounted force under Douglas was to go east and despoil Northumberland.

Douglas' force entered England through Redesdale and proceeded south to Brancepeth laying waste to the countryside. From there the turned east to encircle Newcastle.

Newcastle was held by Northumberland's sons, Sir Henry Percy, known as "Hotspur", and his brother Sir Ralph Percy. Northumberland himself remained at Alnwick Castle, hoping to outflank Douglas should he attempt to return to Scotland.

Thes Scots, without the siege equipment to invest the Castle, encamped around it. The week that followed saw constant skirmishes and challenges to single combat between the two sides, that culminated when Douglas challenged Hotspur to a duel. In the ensuing joust Douglas successfully felled Hotspur and was able to capture his pennon. According to Froissart, Douglas announced that he would "carry [the pennon] to Scotland and hoist it on my tower, where it may be seen from afar", to which Hotspur retorted "By God! You will never leave Northumberland alive with that."

Battle of Otterburn:

The following day the Scots struck camp and marched to Ponteland where they destroyed its castle, and then on to Otterburn just 30 miles from Newcastle, Douglas appeared to be tarrying to see whether Hotspur would react.

Douglas chose his encampment in a wood with an eye to protect his force from English archery. But on the evening of the 5th of August, the Percies surprised the Scots and a bloody moonlit battle ensued. Douglas was mortally wounded during the fight, but because of the confusion of fighting in darkness this fact was not transmitted to his men who carried on the battle. Froissart gives account in detail of the various individuals wounded, captured or killed, but what is known is that the Scots won the encounter taking Hotspur and many others prisoner. Douglas body was found on the field the following day. The Scots, albeit saddened by the loss of their leader, were heartened enough by the victory, to frighten off English reinforcements led by Walter Skirlaw, the Bishop of Durham the following day.

Douglas body was then removed back across the Border and he was interred at Melrose Abbey.

The battle, as narrated by Jean Froissart, forms the basis of the English and Scottish ballads The Ballad of Chevy Chase and The Battle of Otterburn.

Marriage and issue:

Douglas married the Princess Isabel, a daughter of King Robert II of Scotland. He left no legitimate male issue. His natural sons William and Archibald became the ancestors of the families of Douglas of Drumlanrig and Douglas of Cavers. His sister Isabel, inherited the lands and earldom of Mar, and the unentailed estates of Douglas. Isabel arranged for the Bonjedward estate to be passed to their half-sister, Margaret, who became 1st Laird of Bonjedward.

The earldom and entailed estates of Douglas reverted by the patent of 1358 to Archibald Douglas, called "The Grim", cousin of the 1st Earl and a natural son of The "Good" Sir James Douglas.

From: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Douglas,_2nd_Earl_of_Douglas)

Buried:
Melrose Abbey

Died:
Battle of Otterburn

James — Isabella Stewart. (daughter of Robert II of Scotland and Elizabeth Mure) [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 4277

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William Douglas, 1st Baron Drumlanrig (died 1427) was the son of James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas. He fought against the English in the Hundred Years' War in France, where he was killed in action in 1427. He married Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of Sir Robert Stewart of Durisdeer, and had one son, William Douglas, 2nd Baron Drumlanrig.

Died:
in Battle Somewhere In France

William — Elizabeth Stewart. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 37170

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Died:
Threave Castle

Archibald married Joanna De Moravia 1362. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 38001

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• Reference Number: 4281

William — Jane Maxwell. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 38004

Notes:

Archibald Douglas, Duke of Touraine, Earl of Douglas, and Wigtown, Lord of Annandale, Galloway 13th Lord of Douglas, (1372-1424) was a Scottish nobleman and warlord. He is sometimes given the epithet "Tyneman" (Old Scots:Loser), but this may be a reference to his great-uncle Sir Archibald Douglas.

Master of Douglas:

The eldest legitimate son of Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas and Joanna de Moravia of Bothwell, he was born either at Threave Castle or at Bothwell Castle c.1372 and was known as the Master of Douglas until his accession. By 1390 he had married the Princess Margaret of Carrick, a daughter of King Robert III of Scotland. Around this time, his father bestowed upon him the regalities of the Ettrick Forest, Lauderdale and Romannobridge, Peeblesshire.

On 4 June 1400, King Robert appointed him Keeper of Edinburgh Castle for life, on a pension of 200 merks a year.


Buried:
Cathedral of St Gatien

Archibald — Margaret Stewart. Margaret (daughter of Robert III of Scotland and Anabella Drummond) died 1451. [Group Sheet]

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• Name: The Gross
• Reference Number: 38005

Notes:

James Douglas, 7th Earl of Douglas, 1st Earl of Avondale (1371 - 24 March 1443), known as "the Gross", was a Scottish nobleman. He was the second son of Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas and Joan Moray of Bothwell and Drumsargard (now Cambuslang), d. after 1408.

Regent of Douglas:

His rise to dominance in the kingdom began with the disastrous defeat of his elder brother Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas at the battle of Battle of Homildon Hill where he was captured by the English. James was now acting head of the main branch of the powerful Douglas family and was left to maintain their influence in southern Scotland. His successes in this regard preserved Douglas influence until the return of his elder brother from captivity in 1409 at which time he assumed the role of councillor and was rewarded with the grant of extensive estates. The most important of these was the stronghold of Abercorn Castle which would become his principal residence for the rest of his life.

Relationship with the Stewarts:

In the early 1420's James acted as the link between his brother and the powerful Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany who was acting as Regent for his cousin James I of Scotland while he was being held by the English for ransom. His links with the Albany Stewarts however did not prevent him from becoming a councillor to the king once he returned from imprisonment in 1424. Along with his nephew, Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas, he sat on the jury which convicted Murdoch and two of his sons of treason for failure to pay the ransom and allowing the king to be imprisoned for 18 years. In 1426 as a reward for his loyalty Douglas received royal confirmation of his lands, his eldest son William was knighted in 1430 and by 1435 he was sheriff of Lanarkshire strengthening his place among the kings principal followers. This backing from the earl of Douglas' senior kinsman was vital for the king to prevent a clash with the powerful Douglas affinity and shortly before his death in 1437 James I gave him the title of Earl of Avondale.

Earl of Douglas:

When King James was assassinated in 1437 Douglas backed his nephew who became Lieutenant General of Scotland and Regent for the young James II until Douglas' death in 1439. The death of his nephew set off a deadly chain of events that saw power being uneasily shared between Sir William Crichton, Sir Alexander Livingston of Callander and Douglas himself. These events culminated in what would became known as the 'Black Dinner' at Edinburgh Castle where his great-nephew William Douglas, 6th Earl of Douglas and his younger brother David were summarily beheaded on trumped up charges in the presence of the young James II.

Historians tend to place the blame for the Black Dinner on Crichton, Livingston and especially Douglas as the death of his great-nephews brought him the earldom of Douglas and the position as the most powerful magnate in Scotland.

Marriage and issue:

He married first Beatrice Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany and Margaret Graham, Countess of Menteith. They had one daughter.

Beatrice Douglas, married William Hay, 1st Earl of Erroll, Lord High Constable of Scotland.

He married second Beatrice Sinclair, daughter of Henry Sinclair, 2nd Earl of Orkney, around 1425. They had several children, including:

William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas (1425-1452), who succeeded his father
James Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas (1426-1491), who succeeded his older brother
Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray (1426-1455), James's twin
Hugh Douglas, Earl of Ormonde (d. 1455)
John Douglas, Lord of Balvenie
Janet Douglas, married Robert Fleming, 1st Lord Fleming
Margaret Douglas, married Henry Douglas of Borg (d. 1473)

From: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Douglas,_7th_Earl_of_Douglas)

Buried:
St Bride's kirk

Died:
Abercorn Castle

James — Beatrice Stewart. (daughter of Robert Stewart and Margaret Graham) [Group Sheet]

James married Beatrix Sinclair Abt 1425. (daughter of Henry Sinclair, II and Egidia Douglas) [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 37169

Marjorie — David Stewart. David (son of Robert III of Scotland and Anabella Drummond) was born 24 Oct 1378; died 26 Mar 1402, Falkland, Fife, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 38006