Lord James Douglas

The Lord James Douglas was one of Bruce's most loyal
supporters. He stood by him during the darkest moments of
his reign and was to serve him till his dying day.

Douglas lived with a deep hatred for Edward I of England
after the treatment that his father William Douglas recieved
from him. Douglas's father was keeper of Berwick Castle
and when the scots were defeated at the battle of Dunbar
in 1296 he held out for some time against the english who
were beseiging the castle.

He surrendered the castle to the english under terms which
he was ensured safety. However when he came out he was
put in chains and sent to the Tower of London.
Although he was to escape and fight against the english
he has captured after sa few years and died in the
Tower of London.

This James Douglas never forgot and after returning from
France where he was sent till he reached 18 was one
of the first lords to pledge alliegance to Bruce's cause.

He was one of those most prominent in the battle of
bannockburn and was Warden of the Marches (border)
and had the task of keeping the english from crossing
the border.

When Bruce set himself on a policy of harrasment of the
north of england it was Douglas who became the main
leader of many of these forces. He became so feared
accross the north of England that he was known as
The Black Douglas and parents would tell there children
that if they did not behave the Black Douglas would
come for them.

When Bruce died James Douglas went on crusade with
Bruce's heart in a casket. In Spain the scots forces were
ambushed by saracen cavalry. Douglas and his men charged
the line of horsemen to force there way out. After clearing the
first line of horses they were faced with another. Throwing
Bruce's heart into the enemy he ordered his men to retrieve it.
It was then that James Douglas fought his last battle.
The scots won clear and Douglas's body and Bruce's heart
were returned to Scotland with Bruce's heart being buried at
Melrose Abbey.

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