William de Douglas
(c. 1146 - c. 1214)
Map of Brussels
A well-known legend holds that the first chief of Clan Douglas was Sholto Douglas, who in 767 supported King Solvathius of Scotland in suppressing a violent uprising. However, no viable historical evidence presently supports this contention. While other individuals may have used the Douglas name prior to the 12th century, researchers have confirmed the first documented instance in the person of Lord William de Douglas (b. ca. 1147), who, acting in the capacity of lord of the territory of Douglas, witnessed a charter in 1174 naming Jocelin, Bishop of Glasgow, and the Tironensian monks then occupying Kelso Abbey.
As noted below, the Scottish house that would eventually become known as Douglas originated in the region of Flanders (part of modern Belgium). Contemporary DNA testing lends support to this thesis as genetic migration routes of verified Douglas descendants suggest a connection between Flanders and lowland Scotland.
During the early - mid 1100s, King David I of Scotland (ca. 1084 - 1153), recruited a large contingent of Flemish knights in an attempt to defeat his enemies and thereby solidify control of the country. The knights were notably battle-hardened and maintained a reputation for imposing unrelenting brutality upon their foes. One of these knights was known as Theobald the Fleming, who received a land patent not far from the modern village of Douglas, Scotland, in 1147. Scholars contend that the first Douglas appearing in the historical record, William de Douglas (i.e., William I, Lord of Douglas), inherited Theobald's land holdings upon Theobald's death. This supports the contention that Theobald was, in all probability, William's father.
Another knight who came to King David's aid is known in the historical record simply as "Freskin," whose name is Flemish in origin. King David granted Freskin (ca. 1125 - ca. 1170) vast property holdings in the regions of West Lothian and Moray. Moray was, during this period, most hostile to King David's rule, and leaders such as Angus, Earl of Moray, mounted regular offensives against him. With Freskin's appointments to West Lothian and Moray, rebellions were quieted, and the end of the original House of Moray was realized. In order to further solidify his power, Freskin's family intermarried with the remnant Moray family. Freskin's descendants would later be known as "Murray" (pronunciation derived from the Scots language).
Evidence suggests that William de Douglas was a compatriot of Freskin's in battle. Researchers note that William married Freskin's sister, Margaret (MNU) circa 1165. A marriage so close to Freskin suggests great trust and friendship -- perhaps of the type that may have been earned on the battlefield. The striking similarity between the coats of arms of the Murray and Douglas families appears more than coincidental (e.g., both coats contain three silver stars upon a blue field). This suggests that the marriage between William and Margaret was not a political one as were the intermarriages between Freskin's sons and the Moray family. It is obvious that William greatly respected Freskin -- enough to share similar themes on his coat of arms.
King David I of Scotland
Another interesting fact connecting the families of Freskin and William may be noted in the writings of one of William's sons, Bricius. Bricius was consecrated Bishop of Moray in 1203, whereupon he undertook clerical responsibilities at Spynie Cathedral. One of the benefactors of Spynie Cathedral was "Freskin of Kerdal," who some researchers believe to be the aforementioned Freskin, Chief of Clan Murray. In Bricius' writings, Freskin of Kerdal was referenced as an uncle, which confirms the thesis that Freskin's sister (i.e., Margaret) would have been Bricius' mother.
It is noteworthy that all but one of Bricius' brothers also became clerics. Each one served in the diocese of Moray -- the diocese occupying the territory ruled by Freskin. Additionally, William de Douglas named his youngest son, Freskin, an obvious honor to his close friend and brother-in-law, Freskin of Flanders.
Seal of Bricius de Douglas
A final piece of evidence supporting the relationship of the Douglas family with both Freskin and Theobald the Fleming is the aggressive military posture of the early House of Douglas. As previously noted, Freskin was a skilled warrior, and as a Flemish knight, maintained a reputation as a fierce and unrelenting foe to his enemies. These same traits may be noted in Douglas knights and warlords who shaped the history of Scotland. The Houses of Murray and Douglas would remain close for generations.
The Douglas family name was born of a deep and early association with the dark waters of the Dùghlas river (now called Douglas Water) in southern Lanarkshire County of the south-central region of Scotland. Dùghlas, or Dubh-ghlas, from Old Gaelic, may be literally translated "black water" or "black stream," and the earliest claimants to the name were known as being "of the black water" (i.e., of Clan Douglas, or of the House of Douglas). The early Douglases often recited the poetic metaphor, "Men have seen the stream, but what eye ever beheld the source?"
The Douglas family established what is now the village of Douglas through which the Douglas Water runs to the present day. The village originally supported Douglas Castle, which served as the ancestral home of the early Lords of Douglas. The castle, now in ruins, remains a popular tourist destination.
As previously noted, the first Douglas appearing in the historical record was a knight known as William de Douglas, who resided in what is now Lanarkshire County, Scotland. While researchers remain uncertain as to when William arrived in Lanarkshire County, it may have been around the time that Flemish knights supporting King David I established themselves in Scotland. William married Margaret (MNU) circa 1165, sister of Lord Freskin of Kerdal, a wealthy and powerful landowner who had established himself as Chief of Clan Murray. Together, William and Margaret had issue:
County of Lanarkshire, Scotland
Birthplace of Clan Douglas
a) Archibald I. Lord of Douglas (ca. 1167- ca. 1239); married Margaret Crawford, daughter of Sir John Crawford
b) Hugh (ca. 1171-1245), became a Canon of Spynie and Archdeacon of Moray
c) Margaret (1177-1260), married Hervey de Keith, Marischal of Scotland
d) Bricius (ca. 1193-1222), became Bishop of Moray
e) Alexander (ca. 1194-1238), became a Canon of Spynie and Vicar Capitular of Elgin
f) Henry (ca. 1195-1245), became a Canon of Spynie
g) Freskin (1205-1232), served as Parson of Douglas, and later, Dean of Moray
Researchers contend that William de Douglas served with the forces of King William I (d. 1214) under the leadership of Lochlann, Lord of Galloway. William likely supported King Alexander of Scotland (who succeeded King William I) in suppressing the uprising by the Irish invader, Domnall Bán mac Domnaill. The severed heads of the leaders of this uprising were sent to King Alexander as a gift. William would die circa 1214 in Lanarkshire, Scotland.