During Scotland’s Wars of Independence, in early 14th century Scotland, few families played a more prominent role than the Douglases. Sir James Douglas, Good Sir James, was Robert Bruce’s staunchest supporter in Scotland’s fight for freedom. After Bannockburn, Douglas was rewarded for his support with the grant of estates of land in Scotland. The family of Douglas went on to accumulate power and estates in the years of struggle and conflict that followed. For a detailed and thorough account of the history and rise of this family ‘The Black Douglases’ by Michael Brown is difficult to better.
The beginning of the association between the families of Douglas and Harkness is lost in history. Often, especially in the 16th and 17th century, individuals are only recorded when they were involved with the authorities – usually as victims or perpetrators of alleged crime or insurrection. However, from the earliest records associating people with places, occurrences of the name Harkness are almost invariably associated with areas where Douglas estates or strongholds existed. The following is an outline of that connection.
Pentland Hills
The document recording the jurors in the Pentland Hills in 1280 is exceptional for that time in that it gives the names of ordinary people. The document would appear to locate the earliest Harkness family in the Pentland Hills about six miles south of Edinburgh. In his book ‘The Black Douglases’ Michael Brown relates the following about William Douglas, The Knight of Liddesdale:-
“In 1334 William had returned to the ravaged lands of Lothian and ‘ gaderit hym a company’. William had no core of tenants from his estates to provide the backbone of his band. Instead men took service with leaders like William Douglas as captains of ‘namyt of prowes’, known for their valour. The armed bands led by Douglas, his contemporary Alexander Ramsay and others lived ‘in poverty and like shadows’, fighting a guerrilla war against the English. Ramsay based his followers in a network of fortified caves at Hawthornden in Midlothian, while Douglas, operating from lairs in the Forest or the Pentland Hills, was wounded twice and risked frequent capture ambushing larger English forces.”
On 30th July 1335 at the Burgh Muir outside Edinburgh a battle was fought between the Scots and a force led by the Count of Namur on behalf of the English. The English force would have won if
“—-William de Douglas had not suddenly arrived with his own men and others who had gathered from the Pentland Hills and neighbouring areas”. (Scotichronicon. W. Bower. Ed. Watt. 1996)
The Black Douglases also provides information on another possible Harkness/Douglas connection noting in 1407 Douglas appointed William Hay “his very dear squire”. Sheriff of Peebles, an hereditary post, In 1447/48 James Herknes and Sir Thomas Hardkneis are mentioned in charters along with David Haye, Sheriff of Peebles.
Roxburghshire – Liddesdale, Cavers, Bedrule, Jedburgh, Hawick
The Douglases acquired lands in Roxburghshire. In various charters and Douglas histories, lands and properties in Liddesdale, Cavers, Bedrule, Hawick and Jedburgh are mentioned.
Dumfriesshire
The Douglases also acquired estates in Dumfrieshire including land at Dalgarnock, Drumlanrig, Locherben, Kirkhope, Redhall, and Lochmaben. References to the Douglas connection with these places are recorded in charters and other records and can be found in the following publications:-
The Douglas Book, William Fraser, Edinburgh 1885.
The Manuscripts of Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry preserved at Drumlanrig Castle, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 15th Report, Appendix, Part VIII, London 1897.
The Scots Peerage, Vol. III, Sir James Balfour Paul, Edinburgh, 1906.
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, Vol. V 1580 – 93.
A History of the Family of Douglas of Morton in Nithsdale. Percy W. L. Adams. Bedford, 1921.
The following are some of the early records relating to Harkness:-
On18 February 1498 a precept of remission, pardon, was given to Cuthbert Hert dwelling in Lochmaben, for “arte and parte of the slauchter of umquile Herbert HARKNEIS committit x zeris syne [10 years since] and for al cryme that may be impute to him thairthrow”. (Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland. Vol.1. 1488-1529). It is reasonable to assume that Herbert Harkneis was living somewhere around the Lochmaben area.
In 1541 John Harknes of Redhall, Lochmaben was murdered and his son wounded by Johnstones at a “place called Makerrylsyde, within the parish of Lochmaben, and thair cruelly murdrist and slew John Harknes of Redehall, Scottisisman, and woundit his eldest son in perell of deid, and left him lyand besid the corps of his deid fader”. (Hamilton Papers vol.1.1532-43 p.84).
In February 1565 Thomas Harkness in Reidhall was pardoned for art and part in the slaughter of Adam Spens in Croswa. (A History of the Family of Douglas of Morton in Nithsdale, Appendix C, Entry 149. Percy W. L. Adams. Bedford, 1921. also Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland Vol.V 1556-67).
On 27th June 1687 a testament (will) is recorded for James Harkness in Reidhall, Parish of Kirkpatrick Fleming.(The Commissariot Record of Dumfries, Register of Testaments 1624 – 1800. Scottish Records Society).
There are also testaments recorded for Edward Harkness in Steilhill 25th February 1657; James Harkness in Woodhouse, 26th February 1657; Jean Dickson, spouse to James Harkness in Beltenmont, 13th May 1686; and Margaret Harkness spouse of David Smythe in Snab – 18th July 1685. These are all in the parish of Kirkpatrick Fleming, around Lochmaben.
The Scottish Borders at this time would have made the Wild West seem tame. Centuries of fighting between the English and the Scots in this area created a society in which fighting, murder, raiding and stealing cattle were part of daily life. In many ways it was a continuation of the Wars of Independence and these men had helped to maintain Scotland’s freedom. The skills of horsemanship and the old rivalries, victories and defeats are still celebrated and commemorated in the festivals of the Border towns.
The following was guidance for the harassed English in how to deal with their unruly neighbours. Rules for the Defence of the Borders, June 1583 at Rokele Castle. “And to have 100 or 200 of them nightlie with him, especuillie at ebbinges of the water, some to watche at the fords for the keeping out of the Scottishe theves of Greteney, Redhawll, Stilehill and others of the Batable Landes of Kinmowthes retynewe, that commonly used to ride in the night time through the said barronie of Browghe to thincontrie and not onlie breake pore mens howses and onsettes, but bereave them all that they hav, bothe incite horsse and cattl, and that which is worse their lives also ——“. (Calendar of Border Papers relating to the affairs of the Borders of England and Scotland, Vol. I, entry 162. Joseph Bain, Edinburgh, 1894). Although no Scottish thieves are mentioned by name, apart from Kinmont, it is interesting that Redhall and Stilehill are included. Kinmont Willie Armstrong was a notorious cattle thief and reiver, who was famously rescued from Carlisle Castle by Scott of Buccleuch – again a Douglas connection – after being treacherously captured during a truce.
“Fugitives from the court held by the Commissioners over the late Marches in Dumfries on 7th April 1606 – Thome Harkness in Townheid (Annandale)”.