People of Medieval Scotland
1093 - 1371

William Douglas, earl of Douglas and Mar (d. 1384)

Biography
Was the younger son of Archibald Douglas guardian of Scotland 1332-3 and Beatrice, daughter of Alexander Lindsay, lord of Crawford. After his father’s death at Halidon Hill the young William was sent to France c.1334 in the company of his elder brother John. John’s death 1340 X 1342 left William as the heir to the Douglas estates although he would not return to Scotland to press his claims until 1347. In William’s prolonged absence from Scotland his kinsman and godfather, William Douglas of Lothian, gradually acquired effective control over many of the family’s lordships: eventually the relationship between the two men tipped over into rivalry. Douglas of Lothian was captured at Neville’s Cross in 1346 and in 1347 William Douglas returned to Scotland. He soon distinguished himself in warfare on the Anglo-Scottish border but tensions remained between him and his godfather William Douglas of Lothian/ Liddesdale. The rivalry ended in August 1353, when William ambushed and killed Douglas of Liddesdale in Ettrick Forest. Thereafter William Douglas established himself as the foremost military commander in the south of Scotland, a position David II acknowledged through numerous grants of land and office and, in early 1358, William’s elevation to comital rank as earl of Douglas. Co-operation with the crown was briefly interrupted by William’s involvement in a baronial rebellion of 1363 against King David. Although Douglas escaped major retribution, David II did build up regional rivals to William’s power in the south, including his kinsmen Archibald Douglas lord of Galloway and James Douglas of Dalkeith. The accession of Robert II in 1371 saw another armed protest by William, the aim of which is unclear, but that saw Earl William ‘bought off’ with the office of justiciar south of Forth and the marriage of his son James to King Robert’s daughter. William’s power and influence in early Stewart Scotland was increased through his acquisition in 1377 of the earldom of Mar after the death of his childless brother-in-law Thomas, earl of Mar. Thomas’s widow, Margaret, became William's mistress and had an illegitimate son with him, George Douglas, who became the earl of Angus. Douglas continued to be active in Anglo-Scottish border warfare and conducted an attack on Teviotdale early in 1384 shortly before his death at Douglas Castle, Lanarkshire on a date before 24 April. Douglas was married, perhaps c.1357, to Margaret of Mar, sister of (and eventually heir to), Thomas, earl of Mar. Their son, James, became earl of Douglas and Mar on William’s death in 1384 and when James died childless in 1388 the earldom of Mar passed to William and Margaret’s daughter Isabella and her husband Sir Malcolm Drummond. https://doi-org.ezproxy.is.ed.ac.uk/10.1093/ref:odnb/7924
Floruits
1342 × 1371

Total number of associated factoids: 576

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Date Short Summary Role Witnesses Source
unavailable Gift of 'Douglas Farm' (Farm, LAN) Grantor 1/54/576 (RRS, vi, no. 409)
unavailable Agreement with James Tweedie Party 1 1/54/234 (RRS, vi, no. 221)
unavailable Gift of barony of Drumlanrig (DMF) Beneficiary 1/54/161 (RRS, vi, no. 153)
unavailable Gift of barony of West Calder (MLO) Grantor 1/54/172 (RRS, vi, no. 163)
unavailable Gift of barony of West Calder (MLO) with homages and services of freeholders of Bangour (WLO) Grantor 1/54/144 (RRS, vi, no. 127)
unavailable Grant of Leaths (KCB) Grantor 1/54/695 (RRS, vi, no. 469)
unavailable Gift of Samuelston (ELO) Grantor 1/54/201 (RRS, vi, no. 188)
unavailable Gift of Ponfeigh in earldom of Douglas (LAN) Grantor 1/54/703 (RMS, i, no. 365)
unavailable Gift of Little Fandowie (PER) Grantor 1/54/233 (RRS, vi, no. 220)
14 Feb. 1342 Delivery of sasine of Liddesdale (ROX) named person (transaction) 1/54/42 (RRS, vi, no. 44)
29 May 1342 Gift of Douglasdale (LAN), Carmichael (LAN), Selkirk Forest (SLK), Lauderdale (BWK), Bedrule (ROX), Eskdale (ROX), Staplegordon (DMF), Buittle in Galloway (KCB), Romanno (PEB), and of the (burgh) ferme of Rutherglen (LAN) Beneficiary Adam Murray, master, bishop of Brechin, chancellor (d. 1349/50); Alexander of Kinninmonth, bishop of Aberdeen (d. 1344); Duncan (IV), earl of Fife (d.1353); Patrick (V), earl of Dunbar/March and Moray (d.1369); Robert Keith, marischal (d.1343); Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); Thomas de Chartres (Charteris), chancellor (d. 1346) 1/54/49 (RRS, vi, no. 51 )
12 Feb. 1354 Gift of Douglasdale (LAN), Lauderdale (BWK), and other named lands Beneficiary John of Preston, knight (14C); Patrick (V), earl of Dunbar/March and Moray (d.1369); Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); Robert, clerk of Dumbarton; William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385); William of Livingston, knight; William Rae, bishop of Glasgow (d. 1367) 1/54/143 (RMS, i, app. 1, no. 123)
28 Feb. 1354 Confirmation of barony of West Calder (MLO) with homages and services of freeholders of Bangour (WLO) Sicut Clause 1/54/144 (RRS, vi, no. 127)
1 Apr. 1354 Inspection of charter of Duncan (IV), earl of Fife, inspecting a charter of William Douglas anent barony of West Calder named person (transaction) Duncan of Strathearn, bishop of Dunkeld (d. 1355); John of Preston, knight (14C); John of Rait, bishop of Aberdeen (d. 1354x55); Malcolm Fleming, earl of Wigtown (d. 1357x62); Patrick (V), earl of Dunbar/March and Moray (d.1369); Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert of Dumbarton, king's clerk; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); William (IV), earl of Sutherland (d. 1370x71); William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385); William of Cambuslang, bishop of Dunblane (d. 1361); William of Livingston, knight 1/54/149 (RRS, vi, no. 131)
8 Dec. 1355 Grant of hereditary lands of James Tweedie named person (transaction) 1/55/11 (RRS, vi, no. 137)
13 Nov. 1357 Renewal of lands of uncle James, lord of Douglas, and father Archibald Douglas Beneficiary Patrick (V), earl of Dunbar/March and Moray (d.1369); Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385); William of Livingston, knight; William Rae, bishop of Glasgow (d. 1367) 1/54/161 (RRS, vi, no. 153)
13 Nov. 1357 Confirmation of barony of Drumlanrig (DMF) Beneficiary 1/54/161 (RRS, vi, no. 153)
20 Jan. 1358 Confirmation of charters of Duncan, earl of Fife, and William, lord of Douglas, of barony of West Calder (MLO) Sicut Clause John of Preston, knight (14C); Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); Thomas, earl of Mar (d. 1373x74); William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385); William of Livingston, knight; William Ramsay, earl of Fife (d. 1359x60)) 1/54/172 (RRS, vi, no. 163)
8 Jun. 1358 Confirmation of Samuelston (ELO) Sicut Clause John of Preston, knight (14C); Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); Thomas, earl of Mar (d. 1373x74); Walter of Halliburton, knight; William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385); William Ramsay, earl of Fife (d. 1359x60)) 1/54/201 (RRS, vi, no. 188)
2 Jul. 1359 Confirmation of Little Findowie (PER) Sicut Clause David of Annandale, knight; Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); Walter Moygne, knight; William of Gledstanes, knight 1/54/233 (RRS, vi, no. 220)
10 Jan. 1360 Inspection of charter of William, earl of Douglas, to Melrose abbey named person (transaction) Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385); William Livingstone, knight (mid 14C) 1/54/249 (RRS, vi, no. 227)
10 Jan. 1360 Inspection of charter William, earl of Douglas, of Farme in Rutherglen (LAN) named person (transaction) Hugh of Eglinton, knight; Patrick of Leuchars, bishop of Brechin (d. 1383); Robert Erskine, chamberlain; Robert [Stewart] II, king of Scots (d. 1390); William Landellis, bishop of St Andrews (d. 1385) 1/54/250 (RRS, vi, no. 228)
23 Sept. 1360 Appointment of William earl of Douglas as sheriff of Lanark for life Appointee 1/54/268 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 146)
20 Jul. 1369 Truce with England for fourteen years Pledge 1/54/626 (RRS, vi, no. 444)
14 Jan. 1370 Gift of Wester Balmonth (Gordonshall, FIF) Beneficiary 1/54/658 (RMS, i, no. 341)
7 Apr. 1370 Resignation to lands in barony of Dalkeith (MLO) Grantor 1/54/678 (RMS, i, no. 310)
7 Apr. 1370 Notification of resignation of barony of Dalkeith (MLO) Grantor 1/54/679 (RRS, vi, no. 465)
9 Sept. 1370 Confirmation of Ponfeigh (LAN) in earldom of Douglas Sicut Clause 1/54/703 (RMS, i, no. 365)
23 Oct. 1370 Resignation of earldom of Ross and lordship of Skye (ROS) in the presence of 1/54/711 (RMS, i, no. 354)


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Date Short Summary Role Source
29 May 1342 Son of Archibald Douglas, guardian of Scotland (d. 1333) subject (relationship) 1/54/49 (RRS, vi, no. 51 )
29 May 1342 Heir of Archibald Douglas, guardian of Scotland (d. 1333) [Tenurial & lordship relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/49 (RRS, vi, no. 51 )
12 Feb. 1354 Father of William Douglas, earl of Douglas [Familial relationship] object (relationship) 1/54/143 (RMS, i, app. 1, no. 123)
12 Feb. 1354 Uncle of William Douglas, earl of Douglas [Familial relationship] object (relationship) 1/54/143 (RMS, i, app. 1, no. 123)
13 Nov. 1357 Uncle - maternal (avunculus) of William Douglas, earl of Douglas [Familial relationship] object (relationship) 1/54/161 (RRS, vi, no. 153)
13 Nov. 1357 Father of James Douglas, earl of Douglas [Familial relationship] object (relationship) 1/54/161 (RRS, vi, no. 153)
13 Nov. 1357 Bride/betrothed (f.) (sponsa) of William Douglas, earl of Douglas and Mar [Familial relationship] object (relationship) 1/54/161 (RRS, vi, no. 153)
23 Mar. 1360 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/256 (RRS, vi, no. 233)
27 Oct. 1360 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/272 (RRS, vi, no. 245)
27 Oct. 1360 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/273 (RRS, vi, no. 246)
6 Apr. 1362 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/303 (RRS, vi, no. 271)
1 Jan. 1364 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/403 (RRS, vi, no. 312)
1 Jan. 1364 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/404 (RRS, vi, no. 313)
14 Jan. 1370 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/658 (RMS, i, no. 341)
7 Apr. 1370 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/678 (RMS, i, no. 310)
7 Apr. 1370 Cognatus/consanguineus (kinsman/male cousin) of David II, king of Scots (d. 1371) [Familial relationship] subject (relationship) 1/54/679 (RRS, vi, no. 465)


Listing items 1 to 50, page 1 of 8


Date Short Summary Source
20 Aug. 1353 lord of Douglas 1/54/139 (RRS, vi, no. 132)
12 Feb. 1354 lord of Douglas 1/54/143 (RMS, i, app. 1, no. 123)
28 Feb. 1354 lord of Douglas 1/54/144 (RRS, vi, no. 127)
1 Apr. 1354 lord of Douglas 1/54/149 (RRS, vi, no. 131)
8 Dec. 1355 lord of Douglas 1/55/11 (RRS, vi, no. 137)
13 Nov. 1357 lord of Douglas 1/54/161 (RRS, vi, no. 153)
13 Nov. 1357 lord of Douglas 1/54/162 (RRS, vi, no. 154)
13 Nov. 1357 knight 1/54/162 (RRS, vi, no. 154)
26 Dec. 1357 knight 1/54/164 (RRS, vi, no. 156)
26 Dec. 1357 lord of Douglas 1/54/164 (RRS, vi, no. 156)
4 Jan. 1358 lord of Douglas 1/54/165 (RRS, vi, no. 157)
4 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/165 (RRS, vi, no. 157)
4 Jan. 1358 lord of Douglas 1/54/166 (RRS, vi, no. 158)
4 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/166 (RRS, vi, no. 158)
4 Jan. 1358 lord of Douglas 1/54/167 (RRS, vi, no. 159)
4 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/167 (RRS, vi, no. 159)
10 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/168 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 124)
11 Jan. 1358 lord of Douglas 1/54/169 (RRS, vi, no. 160)
11 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/169 (RRS, vi, no. 160)
18 Jan. 1358 lord of Douglas 1/54/171 (RRS, vi, no. 162)
18 Jan. 1358 no description 1/54/171 (RRS, vi, no. 162)
20 Jan. 1358 lord of Douglas 1/54/172 (RRS, vi, no. 163)
23 Jan. 1358 lord of Douglas 1/54/174 (RRS, vi, no. 165)
23 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/174 (RRS, vi, no. 165)
25 Jan. 1358 lord of Douglas 1/54/176 (RRS, vi, no. 166)
25 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/176 (RRS, vi, no. 166)
25 Jan. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/175 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 125)
25 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/175 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 125)
27 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/178 (RRS, vi, no. 167)
27 Jan. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/179 (RRS, vi, nos 168, 169)
27 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/179 (RRS, vi, nos 168, 169)
27 Jan. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/177 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 126)
27 Jan. 1358 knight 1/54/177 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 126)
27 Jan. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/178 (RRS, vi, no. 167)
3 Feb. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/182 (RRS, vi, no. 171)
3 Feb. 1358 knight 1/54/182 (RRS, vi, no. 171)
11 Feb. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/184 (RRS, vi, no. 173)
11 Feb. 1358 knight 1/54/184 (RRS, vi, no. 173)
16 Feb. 1358 knight 1/54/185 (RRS, vi, no. 174)
16 Feb. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/185 (RRS, vi, no. 174)
6 Mar. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/186 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 127)
6 Mar. 1358 knight 1/54/186 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 127)
12 Mar. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/187 (RRS, vi, no. 176)
12 Mar. 1358 knight 1/54/187 (RRS, vi, no. 176)
16 Mar. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/188 (RRS, vi, no. 177)
16 Mar. 1358 knight 1/54/188 (RRS, vi, no. 177)
5 Apr. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/191 (RRS, vi, no. 180)
5 Apr. 1358 knight 1/54/191 (RRS, vi, no. 180)
8 Jun. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/201 (RRS, vi, no. 188)
28 Jun. 1358 earl of Douglas 1/54/204 (RRS, vi, no. 191)


Listing items 1 to 50, page 1 of 4


Date Short Summary Source
circa 1348 Gift of office of sheriff of Clackmannan and forester of Clackmannan forest 1/54/124 (RRS, vi, no. 492)
20 August 1353 Inspection of charter of Agnes of Crambeth to James Vallance of lands in Fife 1/54/139 (RRS, vi, no. 132)
13 November 1357 Gift of 20 merklands of Drem (ELO) 1/54/162 (RRS, vi, no. 154)
26 December 1357 Appointment of Adam Torrie as warden of Exchange office 1/54/164 (RRS, vi, no. 156)
4 January 1358 Gift of lands of Joachim of Kinbuck in PER and FIF 1/54/165 (RRS, vi, no. 157)
4 January 1358 Gift of lands of Joachim of Kinbuck in PER and FIF, including Urquhart (FIF) 1/54/166 (RRS, vi, no. 158)
4 January 1358 Gift of Glenesslin (DMF) 1/54/167 (RRS, vi, no. 159)
10 January 1358 Gift of Gosford and Bisetland (ELO) 1/54/168 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 124)
11 January 1358 Gift of lands forfeited by John Kennedy in barony of Lenzie (DNB) 1/54/169 (RRS, vi, no. 160)
18 January 1358 Confirmation of lands acquired by John Kennedy 1/54/171 (RRS, vi, no. 162)
23 January 1358 Gift of lands of Alexander of Lorn 1/54/174 (RRS, vi, no. 165)
25 January 1358 Restoration of lands, offices, and renders of Marjory of Stirling 1/54/175 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 125)
25 January 1358 Gift of lands of Colin Campbell and Dougal Campbell 1/54/176 (RRS, vi, no. 166)
27 January 1358 Gift of barony of Lamington (LAN) 1/54/177 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 126)
27 January 1358 Gift of the Garioch (ABD) 1/54/178 (RRS, vi, no. 167)
27 January 1358 Gift of right of patronage/ advowson of church of St John, Ayr (AYR) 1/54/179 (RRS, vi, nos 168, 169)
3 February 1358 Gift of lands in burgh of Edinburgh (MLO) 1/54/182 (RRS, vi, no. 171)
11 February 1358 Gift of Mertoun and Merchiston (MLO) 1/54/184 (RRS, vi, no. 173)
16 February 1358 Confirmation of Hawthornsyke (WLO) 1/54/185 (RRS, vi, no. 174)
6 March 1358 Confirmation of Cranstoun Riddel (MLO) 1/54/186 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 127)
12 March 1358 Gift of half of Leckie (STL) in free barony 1/54/187 (RRS, vi, no. 176)
16 March 1358 Inspection of charter of Gilbert Hay to Coupar Angus abbey 1/54/188 (RRS, vi, no. 177)
5 April 1358 Gift of Glenorchy (ARG) 1/54/191 (RRS, vi, no. 180)
28 June 1358 Confirmation of lands in tenement of Balgay (PER) 1/54/204 (RRS, vi, no. 191)
18 August 1358 Gift of homages and services of freeholders of barony of Dundee (ANG) 1/54/206 (RRS, vi, no. 192)
20 August 1358 Gift of one third of the barony of Longforgan (PER) 1/54/207 (RRS, vi, no. 193)
31 August 1358 Gift of the customs on their wool with cocket 1/54/209 (RRS, vi, no. 195)
31 August 1358 Gift of lands of Melrose abbey in free regality 1/54/208 (RRS, vi, no. 194)
1 October 1358 Inspection of charter of Katherine of Stirling to Alexander Lindsay 1/54/210 (RRS, vi, no. 196)
1 October 1358 Confirmation of the barony of the Byres (ELO) 1/54/211 (RRS, vi, no. 197)
22 November 1358 Inspection of charter of Thomas, earl of Mar, of 'Crucerystoun' in Garioch 1/54/219 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 128)
15 December 1358 Gift of Upper Merchiston (MLO) 1/54/220 (RRS, vi, no. 204)
16 December 1358 Inspection of charter of Helen Maxwell of 4 marks from Easter Pitcorthie in barony of Kellie (FIF) 1/54/222 (RRS, vi, no. 206)
15 March 1359 Gift of barony of Terregles (DMF) 1/54/224 (RRS, vi, no. 210)
5 April 1359 Gift of earldom of Moray (INV) with male entail 1/54/225 (RRS, vi, no. 211)
8 April 1359 Inspection of charter of William Comyn, lord of 'Tolyboyf' 1/54/227 (RRS, vi, no. 213)
3 May 1359 Inspection of charter of Thomas Murray, pantler of Scotland, of barony of 'Schenbothy' (CLA) 1/54/230 (RRS, vi, no. 216)
20 January 1360 Grant of burgh of Dundee (ANG) at feuferme 1/54/252 (RRS, vi, no. 230)
31 January 1360 Inspection of charter of John Campbell, earl of Atholl, of lands in the Mearns (KCD) 1/54/254 (RRS, vi, no. 231)
15 February 1360 Gift of lands and rights in toun and territory of Inverbervie (KCD) 1/54/255 (RRS, vi, no. 232)
23 March 1360 Gift of third of king's annual rent from burgh of Dundee (ANG) and of third of Pitkerro (ANG) 1/54/256 (RRS, vi, no. 233)
5 May 1360 Inspection of charter of Dervorguilla of Galloway to Sweetheart abbey 1/54/258 (RRS, vi, no. 235)
12 May, 1360 X 1369 Gift of Ballandro, third of Peattie, third of demesne lands of Inverbervie (KCD) 1/54/554 (RRS, vi, no. 504)
27 May 1360 Re-gift of Park of Drum (KCD) in free forest 1/54/260 (RRS, vi, no. 236)
22 July 1360 Gift of barony of Kinnoull (PER) 1/54/264 (RRS, vi, no. 239)
24 July 1360 Renewal of baronies of Downie (ANG), Kincardine, Aberluthnott, Fettercairn (KCD) and half of Formartine and Kintore (ABD) 1/54/265 (RMS, i, App. 1, no. 149)
20 August 1360 Confirmation of lands in Heiton, Aulton, Roxburgh and Softlaw (ROX) 1/54/266 (RRS, vi, no. 240)
20 October 1360 Inspection of charter of William Douglas, lord of Liddesdale, to his nephew James Douglas, of Aberdour (FIF) 1/54/269 (RRS, vi, no. 242)
26 October 1360 Inspection of charter of King Alexander II to the burgesses of Stirling 1/54/270 (RRS, vi, no. 243)
26 October 1360 Inspection of charter of King Alexander II to the burgesses of Stirling 1/54/271 (RRS, vi, no. 244)