Sir William Douglas, 4th of Drumlanrig
(c. 1447 - 7/22/1484)
William Douglas, 4th of Drumlanrig, was born circa 1447 to Sir William Douglas, 3rd of Drumlanrig and Magaret Carlyle. William was heir to the vast Douglas estate at Drumlanrig, and protector of Douglas family holdings throughout the region. Researchers believe that William obtained his knighthood sometime during the 1470s.
Sir William married Elizabeth Crichton, daughter of Sir Robert Crichton of Sanquhar, circa 1464. Together, they had the following issue:
a) Sir James, 5th of Drumlanrig (c. 1465 - 1498)
b) Archibald (b. ca. 1477); established the Douglas line in Cashogle
c) George (b. ca. 1478); established the Douglas line in Penziere
d) Robert (b. ca. 1479)
e) John (b. ca. 1480)
f) Margaret (b. ca. 1481); married John, 2nd Lord of Cathcart
g) Janet (b. ca. 1482); married first, William of Somerville, and second, Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar
h) Elizabeth (b. ca. 1483); married John Campbell of Wester Loudoun
Sir William and Elizabeth may have had an additional daughter, but to date, scholars have not been able to confirm this theory.
Sir James, 9th Earl of Douglas, a cousin of Sir William, had become a valuable English ally after locating to England following the ceding of his properties. For this allegiance he gained admittance into the prestigious Order of the Garter. Sir James made regular raids into Scottish territory from his base in England in an attempt to weaken the power of James III, the child king of Scotland.
During the summer of 1484, Sir James, supported by Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany, led a force of approximately 500 men to the village of Kirtle, Scotland, approximately 10 miles southeast of modern-day Lockerbie. The goal of the raid was to turn the Scots against their unpopular monarch, but Sir James underestimated the Scottish resolve to remain free of English influence.
Among the nobles rising against Sir James was Sir William, who, as previously noted, was Sir James' cousin. Supported by other nobles, Sir William confronted Sir James' troops at Kirtle on July 22, 1484, and a battle ensued. Sir William was killed during the conflict, which erupted into the now infamous Battle of Lochmaben.
A combined force of Scottish nobility and local townspeople crushed Sir James' forces. Alexander Stewart was able to escape and eventually seek refuge in France. Sir James was captured by Scottish forces and imprisoned at Lindores Abbey in Fife. He would die while still a prisoner in 1488.
Following Sir William's death, Elizabeth married James Campbell of West Loudon. Following the death of James Campbell, Elizabeth married Sir William Colville of Ochiltree.