MY TRUTH....LIES IN THE RUINS

The Legacy of William le Hardi Douglas

 

The Douglas Trilogy

The Black Douglas

William le Hardi Douglas

Excerpts From Our Books

MyTruth Lies in the Ruins

In the Shadow of My Truth

My Truth A Mist In Time

Flames of My Truth

Book Reviews

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Photographs Book One

Photographs Book Two

Photographs Book Three

13th c. Douglas Barony

Museum and Map

Recreating Douglas Castle

Scottish Borders

England

Northumbria and Mann

Douglas,Wallace and Moray

1306 The Brus Revolution

Reenactments in Scotland

John Peters Borders Album

Italy: The Douglas Scotti

Douglas Scotti Castles

Douglas Documents

Royal Dog of Scotland

Lt. David Lee Hopkins

A Hero Remembered

Marines and Camp Carroll

The Early Years

Artist's Images

Contact the Author

Interesting Links

WILLIAM Le HARDI DOUGLAS
LORD DOUGLAS

As a squire William Douglas went on Crusade; serving in the retinue of Earl Adam in the Levant in1270. Trusted for his military prowess he was appointed Governor of Berwick in 1295. Sadly this brave hero was forced to surrender in the spring of 1296 when Edward gained access to the Royal Burgh by ruse; commanding an army of 60,000 on foot and 5000 on horse. Lord Douglas was imprisoned in Hogs Tower and held until May of 1296. Here the knight plotted his revenge. William le Hardi decided to show temporary accord with the English king. With this bold action Lord Douglas became the only Scotsman to be reseised to his land holdings both in Scotland and in England.  When the spring of 1297 afforded him opportunity the Douglas laird sought the partnership of his Crawford cousin, William Wallace; becoming the first nobleman to join the rebel in his patriotic cause. Saor Alba!


 
Known for his physical prowess that earned him the sobriquet of le Hardi, William Lord Douglas was a laird of great determination and moral courage; his immense size, penetrating dark eyes and his swarthy good looks made him a formidable opponent in the joust
 
The Royal Burgh of Berwick on Tweed boasted nearly all the trade of 13th century Scotland; the equivalent of 25% of England's annual treasury in 1296 making it obvious why the Butcher of Berwick, Edward Plantagenet set his sights on acquiring the ancient burgh for his own
Brian Harrison, FSA Scot writes about prisoners' wall carvings that date to medieval times; the firm etching of WD can be found in this chamber of Beauchamp Tower where le Hardi was held in 1297 before being moved to the White Tower
 
East Hill at Fawdon Manor; a Douglas stronghold for over a century; held by Sir William le Hardi Douglas from 1274 until 1298; reseised to his son James Lord Douglas in 1328; one of several 13th and 14th century Northumbrian estates of the Douglases
In this private chamber in the Tower of London Prince Edward Caernarvon signed in the prisoner William le Hardi Douglas to his final confinement on 12 October 1297; the Crusader Knight and hero was murdered on 6th November 1298 by men at arms in service to Sir Henry de Percy

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