Sir Nigel Cunningham, Lord of Yester

Notes

The 1366 papal dispensation given at the time of Joanna's second marriage to Nigel Cunningham could provide a definitive answer, but a critical piece of information is lacking. The dispensation says: "Joanna Douglas is related to Nigel Cunningham in the third degree of affinity". This means she is not related to Nigel Cunningham by blood (consanguinity), but a second cousin to someone who was closely connected to him. In all likelyhood this was his deceased first wife. If her name could be discovered, proof of Joanna's ancestry would be possible. Other connections of Hugh Giffard and Joanna's descendants with the Black Douglas line provide clues and suggestions, but no absolute proof of the Douglas ancestry of Joanna. Joanna Douglas certainly is descended from the Douglases originating with Archibald Douglas in the early 13th century. But whether her descent is through the Black Douglas line of Sir James Douglas "the good", or their cousins the Douglases of Lothian requires more documentation to resolve.

After the death of Hugh Giffard, Joanna Douglas married Sir Nigel Cunningham as her second husband in 1366. Joanna Douglas can be shown to be living as late as the year 1400 in the Yester charter of her grandson "Tassy" Maxwell.

Joanna Douglas is found in three Yester writs, all after the death of Sir Hugh Giffard and her subsequent marriage to Nigel Cunningham. These writs are dated March 10, 1375; Feb. 5 &15, 1398; and the last in 1400. The first writ of Nigel Cunnigham which was placed in the Yester charter chest was dated 1362. Cunnigham family writs are found in the Yester charter chest for about a 20 year period. In the 1375 writ (# 32), Nigel Cunningham identifies himself as Lord of Yester and that Joanna (Jonet) Giffard is his wife.

Links

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