William Douglas of Nithsdale

Sir William Douglas of Nithsdale (c. 1370(?) – 1391) was a Scottish knight and Northern Crusader. Early life William Douglas was an illegitimate son of Archibald the Grim, 3rd Earl of Douglas and an unknown mother. A man of apparently dashing bearing, Douglas was with the Franco-Scots army when it unsuccessfully besieged Carlisle Castle in 1385, the defending Governor being Lord Clifford. He is recorded as performing feats of valour and killing many Englishmen. According to Andrew of Wyntoun: Marriage Douglas certainly had gained his spurs by 1387 when he married Egidia Stewart, Princess of Scotland, a daughter of King Robert II and Euphemia Ross. According to the Liber Pluscarden, Egidia Stewart's beauty was well renowned. Charles V of France had "sent a certain most subtle painter to do her portrait and portray her charms, intending to take her to wife." But the King of France and all other of Egidia's admirers had lost out to the chivalric charms of Douglas. Part of her marriage portion were the lands of Nithsdale in south-western Scotland, Herbertshire in the county of Stirling and an annuity of £300.