Discussing 'The Good Sir James' in the MEDIEVAL JUNKIES! group

The Good Sir James

Started by Chris W., Friday, February 8 2008. Last post Tuesday, April 8 2008.

I was wondering if anyone new of any books with good information on Sir James Douglas one of King Robert Bruce's key lieutenants in the wars of Scottish Independence. I have found that this very interesting character from medieval Europe seems to be somewhat forgotten. This man died fighting the moors in Spain while carrying Robert Bruce's heart on Crusade. King Robert Bruce died before he himself could go on Crusade as penance for murdering his chief rival near an alter in a church. So James Douglas put his heart in a reliquary and carried it to Spain to fight the moors. This is where he died and it is my understanding this is the reason there is a heart on the Douglas coat of arms but I don't know that to be exactly true. I was looking for any stories that include the Good Sir James as a major or even minor character. The only books I have found that mention him at all are center entirely around Robert Bruce. Hope any of you might have some helpful information.

Ian S - Tuesday, February 12 2008

Hi Chris, I can't think of any books about Sir James Douglas and being English he is reffered too as the "Black Douglas" never as the "Good Sir James". One of his relatives turns up in the "Grail Quest" series by our old friend Bernard Cornwell. What i do know of him himself is as follows and is pretty much the same as you have:

When Robert the Bruce died (1329) he asked that his heart be taken into battle against the "infedels" because he himself never went on crusade. When Roberts body was exhumed in 1818 his ribcage had been sawn through, so his heart had been removed. Sir James Douglas (The Black Douglas, feared throughout England, so much so that mothers would tell their children "That if they didn't do such and such, then the Black Douglas would get them" this was enough to scare the kids into behaving) carried Robert's heart on crusade in a casket into spain (1330). Douglas died on crusade and Sir William Keith brought the heart back to Scotland and had it buried at Melrose Abbey.

Hope thats of some help.

Chris W. - Tuesday, February 12 2008

Thanks for the info PE, you always give some really interesting insight. I now want to check out "The Grail Quest" series. I will also be sure to refer to him as the Black Douglas form now on. lol

Chris W. - Tuesday, February 12 2008

Damn these no editing features, form = from in that last post.

Fraoch - Sunday, April 6 2008

Here are some books you might try:
The Black Douglasses by Samuel Rutherford Crocker fiction
nonfiction:
The Black Douglasses: War and Lordship in the medival Scotland 1300 t0 1500's by Michael Brown, who is or was a professor at one of the unis in Scotland, good books on the Douglass family.

I'm thinking you might also find something on him in Mcdonalds The Steele Bonnets.

If in your travels or searches you find anything on Alexander Ramsay i would be interested. He was given the guardianship of Hermitage in the borders, which angered one of the Douglasses whothough he should get it and this Douglas, one of the numerous Anguses, had him captured and imprisioned in the dungeons at Hermitage where he was forced to starve to death. A black mark, one of many i suppose on the Douglass family. Anyway was there this fall and place is definitely creepy and haunted. Good luck in your search. I am researching the St Clairs of the same period so I know how difficult finding information is .

Chris W. - Tuesday, April 8 2008

Thanks for all the info Jody. Do you have a good place to start to try and find a copy of these books? As far as Alexander Ramsay is concerned I believe the author Nigel Tranter wrote about him in one of his novels. Unfortunately, I do not remember a specific title where I recall reading about Ramsay. Again thanks for the info.

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