Sir William Douglas, 6th of Drumlanrig
(c. 1482 - 9/9/1513)
Map of Southern Scotland Including the
Douglas Stronghold of Drumlanrig
Sir William Douglas, 6th of Drumlanrig, was born circa 1482 to Sir James Douglas, 5th of Drumlanrig, and Janet Scott. By 1492, Sir William, while still a youth, was already in possession of the charter to Drumlanrig Castle (a structure pre-dating the current castle located on the same historic site). It is surmised that Sir William married Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar and Elizabeth Lindsay during this same period.
Detailed information regarding Sir William's issue is presently lacking, and Douglas family researchers continue to piece together the full story of his family. Researchers are aware of at least four children born to Sir William and Elizabeth as follows:
a) Robert (appears to have died young)
b) Agnes (m. Andrew Cunningham of Kirkshaw)
c) Janet (m. Robert, 4th Lord Maxwell)
d) Sir James, 7th of Drumlanrig (c. 1510 - 1578); Sir William's official heir
As researchers have noted, cases of children born to Douglas nobles outside the confines of marriage were quite numerous. In fact, the
above noted Sir James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig, fathered at least 18 children by three wives and several mistresses. This is but one case in point. In some instances, children born to mistresses could attain great status and fortune as in the case of Sir William Douglas, 1st of Drumlanrig, who was born to a mistress of his father, James, 2nd Earl of Douglas.
Researchers remain uncertain regarding whether or not Sir William was involved with a mistress. However, contemporary Y-DNA testing of several Douglas descendants in this line has provided evidence that Sir William may have fathered at least one additional child circa 1500. The question of whether this child was that of Elizabeth or a mistress remains open. The child in question is as follows:
a) Jacobus (c. 1500 - 1540)
In addition to the strong DNA evidence, there are additional extant data connecting Sir William with Jacobus Douglas. In the first instance, the name Jacobus was not a common name, but it did hold historical significance among the Douglas nobility -- particularly the Drumlanrig line. Had Jacobus been born to a mistress, he might still stand as a contender for Sir William's title should a marriage-born heir fail to survive. Thus, an illustrious name would have been given to the child should he someday become eligible to succeed Sir William. Such practices were far from uncommon.
Another key piece of evidence linking Sir William and Jacobus is the almost ubiquitous presence of women named Agnes surrounding each of them. Sir William had a sister named Agnes, and his oldest daughter was also named Agnes. Jacobus named his son, William (presumably after Sir William), who in turn, had a daughter named Agnes. In fact, the Agnes name may be noted in the early Douglas line for many generations.
Land records demonstrate that Sir William obtained a charter in the village of Dalgarnock, not far from Drumlanrig, in the year 1500. A 1509 charter reveals the acquisition of the barony of Tibberis, and in 1511, the barony of Hawick. These titles would continue on in the Douglas line for generations to follow.
King James IV of Scotland
1473 - 1513
Scotland and England had engaged in almost perpetual warfare and skirmishes for over 200 years preceding the rise of James IV, King of Scots. A formal peace between the two nations had been established through the Treaty of Ayton in 1497, however, the details of how a lasting peace might be attained had not yet been established.
Believing that peace was in the interest of both countries, King James and King Henry VII of England each assented to the Treaty of Perpetual Peace, which provided formal recognition of Scotland as an independent nation and sought to end hostilities between the two countries. According to the terms of the treaty, King James would marry Margaret Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII, in order to unite the two families and their respective countries. King James married Margaret on December 12, 1502, in Glasgow Cathedral, thereby commencing the long-awaited peace between Scotland and England.
The treaty endured for 11 years until England invaded France in 1513.
King Henry VII of England
1457 - 1509
With the death of King Henry VII in 1509, his son, Henry VIII was crowned king. That same year, he destroyed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace, thereby reigniting old hostilities between England and Scotland.
France and Scotland had been close allies for centuries, a relationship that was sealed in the Auld Alliance, signed in 1294. The terms of this alliance required each country to come to the aid of the other should it suffer attack. England's inevitable strike upon France in 1513 forced King James' hand, thereby resulting in the declaration of war against England that same year. King James would be excommunicated from the Catholic Church by Pope Leo X for violating the terms of the Treaty of Perpetual Peace.
In response to King Henry VIII's upcoming invasion of France, King James amassed a massive army (approximately 34,000 men) led by many notable Scottish nobles including Sir William Douglas, 6th of Drumlanrig. On August 22, 1513, while King Henry VIII was away on his campaign in France, King James' army invaded northern England and quickly overran each significant English stronghold in Northumberland.
In response to the invasion, English troops marched north and the armies of Scotland and England would clash on September 9, 1513, in Branxton, Northumberland, in what would become known as the Battle of Flodden. The devastating engagement, which resulted in staggering losses on both sides (it is estimated that 14,000 men died in battle), was particularly costly to Scottish forces. With significant English reinforcements, King Henry VIII's army was able to emerge victorious from the costly battle. The impact upon Scotland was incalculable. Sir William, among many other Scottish nobles would lose their lives in the conflict. Additionally, King James IV himself would perish on Flodden field.
Sir William's death in Northumberland is somewhat of a historical irony within the Douglas family as this region had long been a stronghold of early Douglases. It would also serve as the gateway for future Douglas generations to migrate into the adjoining region of Yorkshire, as noted in the case of Jacobus Douglas. In any event, the Battle of Flodden would not dissuade Douglases from migrating into and developing livelihoods in England. In fact, Sir William marks the last Douglas ancestor in this direct line to have resided in Scotland.
King Henry VIII of England
1491 - 1547