One of the most famous and valiant knights of Scotland was Sir James Douglas, by some called “the Good,” and by others “the Black Douglas.” He followed the Scottish king Robert the Bruce and became one of his most trusted leaders. Together, the Scots stood against the English oppressors and their king Edward Longshanks.
In his fight for freedom, Sir James was impelled to leave his castle. The English seized his fortress and held it to strengthen their presence in the land. Douglas determined to take it back. Dressed as simple sheepherders, he and his men intentionally moved their flocks past the castle. As they expected, the English greedily opened their gates and rushed them, intent on chasing away the men and stealing their sheep.
What a surprise it was when they met with hardened Scottish knights and warriors instead of timid shepherds. Douglas’s force took advantage of the English shock and swiftly entered the gates that had been carelessly left open in their haste! Soon the fortress was again in the hands of her master. This bold move reminds me of the verses below…
“In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory,
and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment,
and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate” (Isaiah 28:5-6).
The brilliant strategic mind and fierce loyalty of Douglas the Good was a blessing to his king and the people of Scotland. They united against the tyrant “Longshanks” and used the Scottish terrain and ingenius tactics that would give them the advantage.
At the Battle of Bannockburn, the two armies arrayed for battle. Before the clash, the army of the Scots knelt in prayer on the field. Seeing this from a distance and mistaking it for surrender to him, King Edward exclaimed, “See, they beg for mercy!” One of his men answered, “Yes, but they ask it from God, not from us…these men will conquer, or die on the field.” Soon after this battle, Scotland enjoyed freedom from England for a season.
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After the death of King Robert the Bruce, Douglas was entrusted with the heart of that king, which was encased in a silver casket. Later as he was leading an army across Europe, a nearby king pleaded for his aid against the invading Moors that were devastating his people. Sir James Douglas soon found himself and his men in the face of a dread foe, which after much fighting, still overwhelmed the Scottish defenders. Douglas himself was mortally wounded. The noble knight knew he did not have much time left.
There was one more chance of victory. He rallied his company of knights together for one last desperate charge. Advancing, Douglas the Good held the silver case above his head. Then shouting, “O heart of Bruce, lead on!” he flung the heart of the king into the thick of the enemy host. Douglas and his knights galloped into the fray after it. By the end of the battle, the Scots had won, though the heroic Douglas lost his life.
The old shield of Douglas was silver, with three silver stars on a blue chief. To commemorate this last gallant exploit of a great knight was added the red heart of Bruce, later surmounted by a royal crown.
As soldiers in the host of Jesus Christ, waging war against sin, the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, you and I must not lose heart, but cleave to and smite with the Sword of the Spirit, the Holy Word of God(Ephesians 6:17).
Let us not be weary in well doing(Galatians 6:9). By faith let us “wax valiant in fight”(Hebrews 11:34)! Let us ever be mindful of our King, Jesus Christ. Let us shout, “O, Heart of Christ, LEAD ON!”
Kevan Myers
Psalm 119:139
There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.
