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Of William Lord of Niddisdale (sonne naturall to this foresaid Archbald Lord of Galloway) commonly called The black DOUGLAS.
THis William Lord of Niddisdale (sonne naturall to Archbald Lord of Galloway) is (if any else) worthy, who should be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of by himselfe being highly commended by Writers, who say that he was the prime and principall of the youth of Scotland, that he was a man accomplished with all abilities of body and minde, straight and tall of stature, not overcharged with flesh, but big of bone, a mighty personage, valiant, courteous, amiable, merrie, faithfull and pleasant in company and converse, of such extraordinary strength, that whomsoever he strooke with Sword or Mace, he fell to the ground, were he never so well arm∣ed: he was also wise and sober. At one time having but 800. in his com∣pany, he fought against 3000. English, of which he slew 200. and tooke 500. prisoners. This is he that is commonly called The blacke Douglas,* 1.1 because he was of a blacke and swart complexion. His first vassallage of note was at the inroad made by Robert Earle of Fise, and James Earl Dou∣glas, when they burnt Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Northumber∣land. In this expedition he is said to have gained great reputation, for (beside many other exploits not expressed) he with other two only made great havocke of the enemies at the burning of the Suburbs of Carlile (who offered to hinder him from passing t•…•…e bridge) by slaying some, and turning over others into the river. Some say that he slew with his owne hands three of the most valiant of the English, of which one was a chiefe Commander: afterwards, when the same Towne was besieged, the ene∣mies having made a sally, whilest he repulsed them, and followed too ea∣gerly, he was engaged too farre in the midst of his enemies, and taken prisoner. As he was led along toward the Towne by foure men (having beene before disarmed, and his weapons taken from him, he strooke two of them to the ground with his fists, and the other two betaking them∣selves to flight, he returned safe to his company. Hereupon his name was terrible to the English, especially the common sort, who did ordina∣rily affright and skare their children, when they would not be quiet, by saying, The blacke Douglas comes, the blacke Douglas will get thee.
These his vertues moved Robert the second to favour him so farre, as* 1.2 to bestow his daughter on him, though he knew him to be a bastard. The Ladies name was Giles (or Egidia) and she was a mirrour of rare and singular beautie, so that whithersoever she went, she drew the eyes of all men towards her with admiration. The chiefe noble youths of the land did sute her in marriage, but the King preferred our William of Niddis∣dale for his worth before them all. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 writeth that the King of France having heard of the •…•…ame of her beautie, sent a painter into Scotland pri∣vately, who having drawne her portraiture truly, and shewed it to the King, he was so enamoured thereof, that incontinent he dispatched Em∣bassadours to desire her in marriage; but all too late, for she was mar∣ried