Sir William Douglas, 1st of Drumlanrig
(c. 1378 - 1427)
Map of Southern Scotland
Including Drumlanrig, Hawick, & Selkirk
Sir William Douglas was born circa 1378 to James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas, and his mistress (NU). He married Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of Sir Robert Stewart of Durisdeer, circa 1397. Together, the couple had issue:
a) William, 2nd of Drumlanrig (ca. 1398 - 1458)
b) Marion; married Sir Robert de Chisholme
In 1412, Sir William traveled to England to serve as an envoy to secure the release of James I, King of Scotland, who had been held in captivity by the English for 18 years. That same year (November 30), he was granted a territorial charter for the baronie of Drumlanrig, Hawick, and Selkirk.
Sir William participated in the fight against the English in the Hundred Years' War in France. He would die in battle in France in 1427. A plaque commemorating William's service to France was affixed in the nave of the Basilique Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d'Orléans, the home church of Joan of Arc.