Belgium
Discovering the Brabant Influence
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| James Douglas in Spirit explained his relationship with his mother as vital to his return to Scotland. "You were the little spy from Essex," he remarked. He provided evidence of Eleanora's connectin to Brabant and the French Court. He also told the story of the historic event at Arbroath Abbey where the Declaration of Arbroath was approved by the Scottish Estates 6th April 1320. James Douglas was the eleventh laird to append his seal to the historic document. James explained that this event was attended by severa members of his family, including his step mother Eleanora Lovaine Douglas and that she was bringing secret information to the Scots about an assassination attempt on King Robert the Brus. The author then found documents showing that Eleanora Douglas’ step son William de Ferrers transferred Groby Manor, an estate she once held and visited often, to Murdac de Menteith his vassal for no monetary exchange. Menteith was confirmed in documents as a conspirator in the 1320 Black Parliament, by evidence provided by an “English lady”. |
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| The Maid of Flanders, marking the historic site in Belgium commemorating the 1302 Battle of Courtrai. James explained from Spirit that Eleanora brought him to live in Brabant with the Lovaine family and that he learned of the details of the successful strategy used in the medieval battle. Courtrai marked Belgium's only victory against France and it was accomplished through a defensive strategy and preparation of the battlefield that were repeated at Loudoun Hill in 1307 in Scotland. James Douglas was said to be at that Ayrshire location as a follower of Robert the Brus. The Scots turned an important victory against the advancing English army that day. |
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Belgium evolved into a major part of the story in Book II of the Douglas Trilogy, In the Shadow of My Truth, through messages from Spirit. Documents verified the ancient heritage of the Lovaine family that dominated the duchy of Leuven. Stories of ancient battles and strategies for victory were found in documents and verified the messages from James Douglas in Spirit.
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| Louven, Belgium; the ancestral home of the medieval Lovaine family; visited by the author and her tour guides, Daniel and Wendy van Buynder; documents and visions verified the locations of the family seat |
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| Brugges was a medieval stronghold in Belgium. A landmark commemorates the battle of Courtrai at this square. James Douglas explained that he was in this location before returning to Paris where he met with Bishop Lamberton and planned his return to Scotland. |
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| Daniel van Buynder shared this photo of Sluis in Belgium. James Douglas described the location where he dropped anchor in 1330 on his way to meet his final destiny in Teba, Spain. |
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