The Douglases in the 15th Century
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Scotland was once again ruled by regency, and once again the nobles, in particular the Douglas family, became too powerful. In 1440, the Regent, Sir William Crichton invited the 14-year-old Earl of Douglas and his younger brother to dine with the eight-year-old King at Edinburgh Castle. This came to be known as the 'Black Dinner': a black bull's head, symbol of death, was brought into the Great Hall, and two Douglas youths were murdered, in front of the boy-king. For a while, the Douglas family were subdued. |
James II came to his throne in 1449 at the age of 19. He continued to establish reforms so dear to his father, but was threatened by an alliance between the Douglases, Crawfords and John of the Isles.
Perhaps remembering the 'Black Dinner' of his youth, he summoned the Earl
Douglas to Stirling Castle and stabbed him to death. With English help the Douglases attempted revenge and James defeated them completely at the Battle of Arkinholm, killing three of the murdered earl's four brothers. The power of the Douglas family known as the Black Douglases, was squashed. James was killed in 1460 when a canon exploded during the siege of Roxburghe.
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