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Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith
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Sir James succeeded his uncle, Sir
William of Liddesdale, and was well known for his learning and
accomplishments.
In 1384 Sir James entertained some French knights at the castle and invited
them to join him in an excursion for booty and plunder in Northumberland. This
typified a period marked by tit for tat raids and forays between Scotland and
England, and the occasional major assault. As a consequence of this raid, the
English army, in 1385, under King Richard II, marched up the Lowlands, burning
Newbattle and attacking Dalkeith and Edinburgh. The Scots replied with an attack
that resulted in the defeat of the English at Otterburn in 1388.
Dalkeith Castle had, by the fourteenth century, developed into a typical
dwelling of the period, that of a tower house. Every noble family spent a great
deal of money on their residences. The tower house functioned as a place of
prestige, comfort, and safekeeping. The possessions of James Douglas certainly
required safekeeping. In 1376 and1377, James had an average income from rents of
over 900 pounds, and in 1377 and 1378 of 1000 pounds, well above the average for
the time. James’ rental of 1376 and 1378 covered extensive lands in Lothian,
Dumfriesshire, Kirkudbright, Fife, Moffatdale, and Liddesdale.
James was among the first of the 14th century nobles to show some degree of
literacy as was reflected in his will. His is the oldest known will in Scotland.
His wills of 1390 and 1392 show the immense amount of wealth a leading noble
enjoyed. It included; four sets of armor, a large amount of gold jewelry
including three clasps and eight rings, silver and gold utensils, gold cloth,
silks and furs, and books on romance, grammar, and logic.
Sir James was married in 1372 to Agnes Dunbar, daughter of Sir
Patrick Dunbar. They had four children, including a son, before her death in
1378. Sir James' second wife was Egida, half-sister of King Robert
II. S
ir James died in 1420.
Father: John (Sir) Douglas
Mother: Agnes Monfode
Marriage 1 Agnes Dunbar
Children
James
(Sir) (1st Lord Dalkeith) Douglas b: ABT. 1356
William
(of Mordingtoun) Douglas
Agnes
(of Dalkeith) Douglas = 1 John Gordon, = 2 Sir John Livingston
Margaret
(of Dalkeith) Douglas b: ABT. 1358 = Philip, 8th of Arbuthnott
Janet (Jacoba) (of Dalkeith) Douglas = Sir John Hamilton, 4th of Cadzow
Marriage 2 Egida, half-sister of King Robert
II.
See also:
• History of Dalkeith House
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