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The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

Biography of William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas 1323-1384

Paternal Family Tree: Douglas

1333 Battle of Halidon Hill

1356 Battle of Poitiers

Around 1323 William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas was born to Archibald Douglas (age 25) and Beatrice Crawford.

Battle of Halidon Hill

On 19th July 1333 King Edward III of England (age 20) defeated the Scots army at the Battle of Halidon Hill near Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland [Map]. John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall (age 16) commanded.

English archers, just as at the Battle of Dupplin Moor one year previously, had a significant impact on the massed ranks of Scottish schiltrons. Edward's army included: Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk (age 33), who commanded the right wing, Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon (age 56), Robert Pierrepont, Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon (age 30), Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 54) and John Sully (age 50). One of the few English casualties was John Neville (age 34) who was killed.

The Scottish army included King David II of Scotland (age 9). Alexander Bruce, Alan Stewart (age 61), James Stewart (age 57), John Stewart, William Douglas 1st Earl Atholl, [his father] Archibald Douglas (age 35) who were all killed.

Hugh 4th Earl Ross (age 36) was killed. His son William succeeded 5th Earl Ross.

Malcolm Lennox 2nd Earl Lennox was killed. His son Domhnall succeeded Earl Lennox.

Kenneth de Moravia Sutherland 4th Earl Sutherland was killed. His son William succeeded 5th Earl Sutherland. Johanna Menteith Countess Sutherland by marriage Countess Sutherland.

In August 1353 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl (age 53) was killed by William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 30) at Ettrick Forest, Ettrick.

Battle of Poitiers

On 19th September 1356 the army of Edward "Black Prince" (age 26) defeated the French and Scottish army led by King John "The Good" II of France (age 37) at the Battle of Poitiers

King John "The Good" II of France was captured by three captains including Ivon aka John Fane.

The the English army included: Bernard Brocas (age 26), Thomas Felton (age 26), James Audley (age 38), Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 43), Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh (age 28), Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham (age 61), Edward Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Baron Burghesh (age 21), Ralph Ferrers (age 27), William Scrope (age 31), William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 28), Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh (age 37), Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 58), William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 18), John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford (age 44), John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby (age 33), Thomas Arderne (age 19), Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos (age 36), Richard Pembridge (age 36), Jean Grailly (age 25), Robert de Fouleshurst (age 26) and John Sully (age 73)

John Savile of Shelley and Golcar (age 31) probably fought having received letters of protection to travel overseas.

Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon (age 53) protected the baggage train.

The French and Scottish army included: King John "The Good" II of France, Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy (age 14), Jean Bourbon I Count La Marche (age 12), Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas (age 26), John "Sans Terre" Artois 1st Count of Eu (age 35); all captured.

Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 33) fought.

Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon (age 45) was killed. His son Louis (age 19) succeeded II Duke Bourbon.

Gauthier VI Comte de Brienne (age 54) was killed.

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In 1357 William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 34) and Margaret Mar Countess Douglas 11th Countess Mar were married. She the daughter of Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar and Isabella Stewart.

In 1358 [his son] James Douglas 2nd Earl Douglas was born to William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 35) and [his wife] Margaret Mar Countess Douglas 11th Countess Mar.

On 26th January 1358 William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 35) was created 1st Earl Douglas. [his wife] Margaret Mar Countess Douglas 11th Countess Mar by marriage Countess Douglas.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 27th [May 1358], the Earl of Douglas (age 35) dined with the Queen (age 63); and the Maréchal D'Audenham came to supper.

In 1360 [his daughter] Isabel Douglas Countess Mar was born to William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 37) and [his wife] Margaret Mar Countess Douglas 11th Countess Mar.

In 1377 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Mar 10th Earl of Mar (age 47) died. His sister [his wife] Margaret succeeded 11th Countess Mar.

In 1380 [his son] George Douglas 1st Earl Angus was born to William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 57) and Margaret Stewart 3rd Countess Angus and Mar at Tantallon Castle.

Around 1380 [his illegitimate daughter] Margaret Douglas Lady Terregles was born illegitimately to William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 57).

In 1384 William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas (age 61) died. His son [his son] James (age 26) succeeded 2nd Earl Douglas.

Around 1391 [his former wife] Margaret Mar Countess Douglas 11th Countess Mar died.

Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. In the year of Christ 1348, the 22nd year of the king's reign, after the lord king had returned to England, David, King of the Scots, and Lord Charles of Blois were brought to the Tower of London,1 Charles having recently been captured in Brittany at Easter after great and perilous battles by Lord Thomas Dagworth. They both remained in England for many years awaiting ransom. Likewise, Lord James [William] Douglas,2 captured at the Battle of Durham and brought to London with the King of Scots, returned to the king's peace, having sworn him loyalty. But afterward, while peacefully returning to the border, William Douglas treacherously rode up behind him while he was out hunting and murdered him.

Anno Christi MCCCXLVIII, regis anno XXII, domino rege in Angliam reverse, adducti sunt ad turrim Londoniarum David rex Scotorum et dominus Karolus de Bloys, ad Pascha nuper in Britannia post magnos et periculosos conflictus per dominum Thomam Dagworthe captus; qui postea per multos annos manserunt in Anglia redimendi. Item, dominus lacobus Douglas, in bello Dunelmie captus, Londonias cum rege Scotorum adductus, rediit ad pacem regis, iurata sibi fidelitate; quem postea in marchiam pacifice reversum Willelmus Dowglas venacioni invitatum prodiciose equitans a tergo interfecit.

Note 1. David Bruce had been a prisoner in the Tower since the 1st January 1347. Rymer's Fœdera 3.99. Charles of Blois was captured at the battle of Roche-Derien, 20th June 1347.

Note 2. William Douglas, here wrongly called James, the knight of Liddesdale, made his peace with, and engaged to serve, Edward; and was set free on the 17th July 1352. Rymer's Fœdera 3.246. The next year he was murdered, when hunting in Ettrick Forest, by his kinsman William, afterwards earl Douglas.

[his father] Archibald Douglas and [his mother] Beatrice Crawford were married.

Royal Descendants of William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas 1323-1384

King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland

George Wharton

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Queen Consort Camilla Shand

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Ancestors of William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas 1323-1384

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Douglas 1st Lord Douglas

Great x 2 Grandfather: Archibald Douglas

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Kerdal

Great x 1 Grandfather: William "Longleg" Douglas

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Crawford

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Crawford

GrandFather: William "Hardy" Douglas 2nd Lord Douglas

Great x 1 Grandmother: Constance Battail Battail

Father: Archibald Douglas

GrandMother: Eleanor Louvain Baroness Douglas

William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas

GrandFather: Alexander Lindsay Crawford

Mother: Beatrice Crawford