England's Scourge and Scotland's Bulwark, William Douglas, knight of Liddesdale. Taken at Neville's Cross, and killed by William, first earl of Douglas, in 1353.
The Flower of Chivalry, William de Douglas, natural son of "The Good Sir James" (died 1384).
James second earl of Douglas overthrew Hotspur. Died at Otterburn, 1388. This is the Douglas of the old ballad of Chevy Chase.
Archibald the Grim, Archibald Douglas, natural son of "The Good Sir James."
The Black Douglas, William, lord of Nithsdale (murdered by the earl of Clifford, 1390).
Tineman (the loser), Archibald, fourth earl, who lost the battles of Homildon, Shrewsbury, and Verneuil, in the last of which he was killed (1424).
William Douglas, eighth earl, stabbed by James II., and then despatched with a battle-axe by Sir Patrick Gray, at Stirling, February 13, 1452. Sir Walter Scott alludes to this in The Lady of the Lake.
James Douglas, ninth and last earl (died 1488). With him the senior branch closes.
II. THE RED DOUGLASES, a collateral branch.
Bell-the-Cat, the great earl of Angus. He is introduced by Scott in Marmion. His two sons fell in the battle of Flodden Field. He died in a monastery, 1514.