Sir Archibald Douglas

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Sir Archibald Douglas, Lord of Douglas and Liddesdale (also known as the Tyneman - Old Scots, loser) (before 1298 – 19 July 1333) was a Scottish noble and military leader.

The son of Sir William "le Hardi" Douglas, the Governor of the castle at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Douglas was also brother of the "Good" Sir James Douglas, King Robert the Bruce's deputy. He was appointed Guardian of the Realm for the young David II in April 1333. During the Second War of Scottish Independence, Edward Baliol, son of John Baliol, had invaded Scotland with the backing of Edward III of England, inflicting a defeat on the Scots at the Battle of Dupplin Moor. Following this battle, and as a sweetener to the English, Edward Baliol agreed to cede the county, town and castle of Berwick to England in perpetuity. Edward III himself came north to command his army, and laid siege to Berwick. However, a temporary truce was declared with the stipulation that if not relieved within a set time, Sir Alexander Seton, the governor, would deliver the castle to the English. Douglas raised an army to relieve the beleaguered defenders of Berwick. As a feint to draw the English away he invaded Northumberland, but was forced to return to Berwick when the English refused to be lured. On 19 July, Edward's army took positions at the summit of Halidon Hill, a summit some mile and a half north of the town with commanding views of the surrounding country. Douglas' numerically superior force was compelled to attack up the slope and were slaughtered by the English archers, a prelude, perhaps, to the battles of Crécy and Agincourt. The English won the field with little loss of life, however by the close of the fight, countless Scots common soldiers, five Scots Earls and the Guardian Douglas lay dead. The following day Berwick capitulated.

Archibald was succeeded by his son, William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas.