Castle Dangerous - seat of the Black Douglas
Castle Dangerous - seat of the Black Douglas

Douglas castle, the family seat of James (the good or the black) Douglas, was retaken from the English invader by force more than once by Sir James and his men. He stormed the castle on Palm Sunday, 1308, while the occupying English garrison were at chapel. He had the garrison beheaded and thrown into the kitchen cellar, before the structure was burned and the wells poisoned. This event became known as the "Douglas' larder" and it was meant to leave a lasting impression upon the English soldiers who came to replace their dead colleagues. Further attacks followed by the man now being called the “Black Douglas” and he was regarded as a sinister and murderous force. It would seem in this that Douglas was an early practitioner of psychological warfare – as well as guerrilla warfare – in his knowledge that fear alone could do much of the work of a successful commander.

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Castle Dangerous - seat of the Black Douglas

Douglas castle, the family seat of James (the good or the black) Douglas, was retaken from the English invader by force more than once by Sir James and his men. He stormed the castle on Palm Sunday, 1308, while the occupying English garrison were at chapel. He had the garrison beheaded and thrown into the kitchen cellar, before the structure was burned and the wells poisoned. This event became known as the "Douglas' larder" and it was meant to leave a lasting impression upon the English soldiers who came to replace their dead colleagues. Further attacks followed by the man now being called the “Black Douglas” and he was regarded as a sinister and murderous force. It would seem in this that Douglas was an early practitioner of psychological warfare – as well as guerrilla warfare – in his knowledge that fear alone could do much of the work of a successful commander.

Buy this print online:

 
Item added to cart