Black Douglas.

This is coolbert:

Within context of a previous blog entry consider my instantaneous reaction. 

The saga of Sir James Douglas. Known also as the Black Douglas.

The Black Douglas. Sir James. Scottish knight and lord, A liegeman of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland.

"Sir James Douglas (also known as Good Sir James and the Black Douglas) . . . was a Scottish knight and feudal lord. He was one of the chief commanders during the Wars of Scottish Independence."

That "Final Campaign" of Sir James as deemed having the nature of a saga.

"saga: noun - - a modern heroic narrative resembling the Icelandic saga  [historic or legendary figures and events]"

"Robert Bruce died in 1329. According to Jean le Bel, when Bruce was dying he asked that Sir James, as his friend and lieutenant, should carry his heart to the Holy Land and present it at the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem as a mark of penance. John Barbour, alternatively, has Bruce ask that his heart should simply be carried in battle against 'God's foes' as a token of his unfulfilled ambition to go on crusade . . . When Bruce was dead, his heart was cut from his body and placed in a silver and enameled casket which Sir James placed around his neck. Early in 1330, Douglas set sail from Berwick upon Tweed, accompanied by seven other knights with twenty six esquires and gentlemen."

"esquire: (in the Middle Ages) - - a young man of noble birth who as an aspirant to knighthood served a knight."

Sir James vanquished in mortal combat with the Saracen enemy in Spain. Saracens as the Muslim was referred to by the Europeans during that era. Mission of Sir James not accomplished. In death however the actions of Sir James indeed chivalrous and worthy of a saga.

coolbert.