Publication Account
Date 1985
Event ID 1016597
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Publication Account
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1016597
Although a church at Douglas is on record in the 12th century, the present building is pobably ofIate 14th century date. It is in a much ruined condition with only the choir now roofed, and until the mid-19th century this too lay open to the elements but was covered during extensive restoration work carried out on behalf of Lord Home. The nave is missing but the shell of the south aisle survives, and from its east end rises the attractive octagonal bell-tower which was inserted in the 16th century.
The principal attraction of the church, however, lies in the interior, where there is an important series of medieval grave-effigies and burial-monuments, most of which are associated with the Douglas family who have been major local landowners from the medieval period to the present day. The oldest datable monument lies in the north wall, next to the door, and is reputed to be that of Good Sir James Douglas who died in Spain while on his way to the Holy Land with the heart of King Robert in 1331. The effigy, which was probably completed soon after his death, shows a knight drawing a sword, his head resting on a pillow and his feet on an animal; the canopy is of much later date, possibly 15th century)'. To the east of Good Sir James lies the monument of Archibald, 5th Earl of Douglas, who died in 1438. He is depicted wearing robes of state with a ducal coronet on his head, and his feet lie on a lion couchant. The surrounding monument (of mid-15th century date) is more elaborate than that of Sir James, with a lower frieze bealing a number of calVed figures which probably represent members of his family, and, above the ogee arch, a parapet pierced with quatrefoils. A third monument lies on the opposite wall of the church; it contains the effigies ofJames, 7th Earl of Douglas and his wife Beatrice de Sinclair. The Earl died in 1443 and, from the insCliption on the tomb, it is possible to establish that the monument was erected some time between 1448 and 1451. It is somewhat simpler than the two others described so far but this is probably a reflection of its later date. The Earl is shown in armour, his wife wears a flowing robe, and both have their hands clasped in prayer. Once again the lower frieze is decorated with a selies of can/ed figures representing their six sons and four daughters. The inscriptions on the tombs of the two Earls style them both 'Duke of Touraine', a title granted to the 4th Earl in 1423 by Charles VII of France in recognition of his valiant efforts in the royal service. The remaining medieval monument is situated at the south-west end of the choir; it is of early date and consists of a rather worn effigy of a woman vvith her feet resting on a bunch of foliage. In the centre of the church lies the Victorian marble tomb of the 7th Countess of Home, and at the west end there is a collection of architectural fragments including a number of Romanesque pieces which are the only traces of the earlier church.
Information from ‘Exploring Scotland’s Heritage: The Clyde Estuary and Central Region’, (1985).
