James Douglas, 1st Lord Dalkeith (after 1372 – before 22 May 1441) was a Scottish nobleman born in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland to Sir James Douglas and Agnes Dunbar. James (the father) was the brother of Nicholas Douglas, 1st Lord of Mains.
Lord Dalkeith descended from Andrew Douglas of Hermiston (or Herdmanston) (d.b. 1277), who it has been argued, might have been younger son of Archibald I, Lord of Douglas (fl. c. 1198–1238), however there is no evidence other than Andrew's grants to Hermiston at a later date, that support this argument. Andrew was succeeded by his son William Douglas of Hermiston, a signatory of the Ragman Roll in 1296. William of Hermiston's son, James Douglas of Lothian succeeded his father and produced two sons, Sir William Douglas and Sir John Douglas. Sir William Douglas, known as the Knight of Liddesdale or the Flower of Chivalry obtained the privileges of the barony of Dalkeith, in Midlothian, in 1341, and the barony of Aberdour, in Fife, in 1342. Following William of Liddesdal's murder at the hands of his cousin William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, both baronies passed to his nephew, James. James Douglas was confirmed in this position when his title was ratified by the Earl of Douglas prior to 1370. The lands of Dalkeith, and Aberdour, in Fife, were combined as a single barony in 1386, with the principal seat at Dalkeith Castle, and a secondary residence at Aberdour Castle.
He married Elizabeth (Princess) Stewart, daughter of King Robert III, about the year 1387. They had five children before she died: William, James, Henry, Janet (who married John Hamilton of Cadzow) and Margaret.
He married, as his second wife, Janet Borthwick, daughter of Sir William Borthwick, with whom he had a son named William.
References
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (July 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
- Douglas Archives - Douglas of Mains Archived 2010-12-27 at the Wayback Machine Accessed on 14 September 2010
- Apted, p.5
- Maxwell, Herbert. A History of the House of Douglas from the Earliest Times Down to the Legislative Union of England and Scotland. London: Freemantle, 1902. (p. 236-237)
| Peerage of Scotland | ||
|---|---|---|
| New creation | Lord Dalkeith 1341–c. 1360s |
Succeeded byJames Douglas |
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