Early Life
From the
Scots Peerage1:
James, second Earl of Douglas, succeeded his father in that title, and also in that of Mar. The date of his birth is uncertain, as there is some doubt when his parents were married. Froissart, who saw him at a date not later than 1369, speaks of him as 'a fayre yong divide,' and he may then have been about eleven years old, or even a little older. He was made a Knight in 1371, probably at the coronation of King Robert II., as he is described in that year as Sir James Douglas, son of the Earl of Douglas.
Career
From the
Scots Peerage1:
During his father's lifetime little is recorded of Sir James Douglas, but after his father's death he takes a prominent place in history. Earl William had scarcely been buried when, accompanied by a band of thirty French knights, who had come to Scotland in search of adventures, Earl James raided England with a force of 15,000 men. Later, in May 1385, he again invaded England at the head of an army said to consist of 30,000 men, including 2,000 French troops which had been sent to Scotland under Sir John de Vienne. The relations between the Scots and the strangers were not, however, cordial, and in a few months the country was relieved of their presence.
Family Life
James Douglas married Isabel Stewart, daughter of King Robert II, but had no surviving issue.
By an unknown woman he also had two illegitimate sons and a daughter:
- William, ancestor of Douglases of Drumlanrig, Dukes and Marquesses of Queensberry
- Archibald 1st of Cavers
- Eleanor who married Sir William Fraser
Death
From the
Scots Peerage1:
[An] invasion had been resolved on at a meeting of nobles held at Aberdeen, and was intended to revenge the devastation caused by King Richard's army in 1385. It resulted in the
battle of Otterburn, the many graphic accounts of which need not be repeated here. Suffice it to say that in the dim light of an August evening Sir Henry Percy, 'Hotspur,' having marched rapidly from Newcastle, attacked the camp. The Scots were not unprepared, but still the onset was sudden, and it is said part of Douglas's armour was left unfastened in the hurry of putting it on. This may account for the tragedy of his death. For when the English by their weight and greater numbers made the Scots give way, the Earl with a heavy battle-axe or mace rushed into the thick of the fight and smote so strongly that none dare approach him, while he was well supported by his followers, who succeeded in driving back the enemy. But at last he was wounded to the death. He was able to speak a few words of encouragement and advice to his nearest followers; and as they, in obedience to his last wish, raised his banner, concealing his death, he expired.
The Scots renewed the combat with increased energy, the English were defeated, and Hotspur and other English noblemen were taken prisoner. The date of the battle of Otterburn is uncertain, as authorities differ widely on the point, but the Earl's body was borne to Melrose and buried there, about four days after the battle
[1] The Scots Peerage, by Sir James Balfour Paul, Volume 3, Edinburgh (1906); Douglas, Earl of Douglas (pages 132-185)
Abt 1358 - Abt 1388 (~ 30 years)