The Black Douglases: War and Lordship in Late Medieval Scotland, 1300-1455

The Black Douglases, War and Lordship in Medieval Scotland 1300-1455, by Michael Brown is an informative read. Not for the novice to Medieval Scottish history, Michael Brown will provide an education for you. Though the title is the Black Douglases whom all the lessons revolve around the book is more of an education based on the subtitle of War and Lordship in Medieval Scotland 1300-1455. The Douglas family is the medium the lesson is taught. Michael Brown gives us great chapters on each of the great Black Douglases starting with "The Good" Sir James, right hand of Robert the Bruce. We learn of his brother Archibald "the Tyneman" and his struggles to maintain the family's role as warlords and defenders of the throne. Then we see first hand the internal rivalries of the different branches of the Black Douglases or the illegitimate and legitimate descendents of both "The Good" Sir James and Archibald "the Tyneman" and how both used the crown and a source of power to achieve the title of Earl of Douglas. Each chapter is like a mini biography explaining the life and reasons each Earl did what he did. Then we get a few chapters that really dive into Lordship and how it worked on the borders of England. How land and allegiance lead to the rise of many other border families and how war is the catalyst that brings it all together. The Black Douglases rise as the leading family of Scotland and become renowned throughout Europe as leaders in Warfare and are even recognized by the Pope. Finally there pride and power are brought to heal by the strong Kingships of James I and II of Scotland. Although the Black Douglases fade we see the seeds of the Red Douglases of Angus and those of the Douglas Earls of Morton's which will continue in the role of the strongest family next to and behind the throne of Scotland for the next 200 years. This book is an excellent tribute to the Douglas family which should be recognized for there amazing impact on Scottish and European history. Although the book bogs down sometimes it forces you to slow down and really understand the detail presented. An excellent history lesson and tribute to the Douglas family. For the serious student of Scottish history or those interested in the Douglas family.

Be prepared to flip back and forth from the chapter you are reading to the geneological tables constantly. The fact that all of the Douglases seem to be named either Archibald or James makes it extremely confusing to read. However, this book provides a detailed and authoritative look at one of the most important families in medival Scotland. The author weaves engrossing prose into a book that other authors might have written in a too scholarly manner. For those interested in a covering two centuries of the history of Scotland through lense of a notorious warring family, this book is a must read.

This is yet another impressive work of scholarship regarding Scottish history from Scotland's own Tuckwell Press. Michael Brown has produced a well researched, thoughtful, and comprehensive study of one of the premier Scottish families. He demonstrates how one well placed family was able to become a force of reckoning, first in the troublesome Anglo-Scottish border lands, then throughout Scotland, and even in France during the period of 1300 to 1455. This phenomenal rise was conducted by a series of family leaders invariably named James or Archibald Douglas who generally combined qualities of political acumen, ruthless military efficiency, shrewd feudal management, and a remarkable persistence in the face of adversity. Their aggrandizement of power was first enabled under King Robert the Bruce(reigned 1306-1329) during his long running wars with England and the need for strong military leaders like Sir James Douglas, known as 'The Good Sir James,' whose daring exploits emboldened the Scottish cause and brought terror to the inhabitants of northern England. In the wake of the Bruce's death and a dearth of strong kingship in Scotland, the family moved into the power vacuum and emerged as a primary arbitor of the peace and defender of the realm in the face of renewed and sustained English aggression. The Black Douglases enhanced their position with an impressive web of relationships encompassing the church and notable families alike. Unfortunately, they came to epitomize the concept of the overmighty subject and were finally brought down after a series of bloody and often treacherous conflicts by two very strong kings, James I (reigned 1406-1437, primarily during his last decade) and James II (reigned 1437-1460). The maps and figures printed in this book are very good and help explain the complexity of the inter-relationships of families, lands, and castles. Brown's prose is well crafted but this book is more for the medieval or military specialist rather than the casual or general reader. It might also be of some use to family historians in the sense that one can note the influence and lands of numerous families with names such as Sinclair, Ramsey, Drummond, and Hay. It is a must for anyone interested in the intricacy of medieval lordship.