The Black Douglas

A tale of mystery and intrigue in medieval Scotland, first published in 1899. Conflict between the dynasties of Stewart and Douglas is told from the perspective of the underdog, with historic events fictionalised to great effect.

The book contains much good fighting and a succession of horrors that one finds it dreadful to read and hard to forget. Mr Crockett is quite unrivalled as a painter of these vigorous women generally possessed of a tongue with a tang.

Galloway 1439. The action largely takes place in and around Castle Douglas, centering on Thrieve (now Threave) Castle. The fictional story of Sholto and Laurence MacKim provides the background to the larger historical story of William Earl of Douglas and his cousin Margaret. Crockett's version takes a new approach to the conflict between the Stewart and Douglas 'dynasties' and offers much excitement and romance in his exploration of the impact of history on the 'ordinary' man.