Sir William "Longleg," Lord of Douglas
(c. 1207 - c. 1274)
Sir William (nicknamed, "Longleg"), Lord of Douglas, was born circa 1207 to Arhchibald I, Lord of Douglas, and Margaret Crawford. His date of birth is derived from a 1267 writ wherein he is self-described as exceeding 60 years of age. Some researchers have noted that the name "Longleg" was in reference to Sir William's great stature, being well above average for the period. His exact height, however, remains a mystery.
Sir William was a noted Scottish noble who married Constance Battail of Fawdon, Northumberland, England, circa 1230. Together, Sir William and Constance had issue:
a. Hugh I, Lord of Douglas (c. 1239 - c. 1274)
b. William the Hardy, Lord of Douglas (1240 - 1298)
c. Willelma de Douglas (c. 1245 - 1302)
The earliest appearance of Sir William in the historical record is a charter penned in March of 1239 wherein he witnessed a transaction on behalf of the Earl of Lennox. By 1241, Sir William had obtained land holdings at Fawdon Manor in Ingram Parish, Northumberland, England. Fawdon Manor had been the ancestral home of the Battail family, and was purchased by Sir William sometime in or around 1241. In that same year, he would also witness a grant of land to the Priory of Lesmahagow bestowed by King Alexander II, King of Scots.
During Sir William's lifetime, significant differences arose among the higher nobility in terms of how Scotland was to ultimately view England. A vacuum of power had arisen as the heir to the Scottish thrown, Alexander, was a minor and not yet capable of leading the country. In order to fill this vacuum, two rival parties emerged, each claiming to have Scotland's best interest at heart.
In one camp was Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith, who held strongly nationalistic views. Alan Durward, Justiciar of Scotia, favored a more cooperative relationship with England. Eventually, a regency was established among the nobility of Scotland which would lead the country until Alexander grew old enough to officially rule. Sir William served loyally as a regent during this period.
As Sir William had attained Fawdon Manor (located in Northumberland, England), he possessed a vested interest in maintaining favorable relations with the English crown. Consequently, he offered his support to Alan Durward. The Durward and Comyn families would eventually mend their differences and fight together in defense of Scotland.
Northumberland was part of the Earldom of Gilbert de Umfraville, who in 1267 accused Sir William of withholding rent monies for his property at Fawdon Manor. Even though Sir William was acquitted of these charges via jury trial, Umfraville nonetheless laid siege to Fawdon Manor, confiscated approximately £100 of sterling, and both captured and imprisoned Sir William at Harbottle Castle -- stronghold of the Umbraville family. Sir William's son, Sir William the Hardy, suffered a severe neck injury during the siege wherein a full decapitation was attempted.
Sir William is believed to have died circa 1274, in either Douglasdale, Scotland, or at Fawdon Manor, Northumberland, England.