Beaufort Gallery

Catherine Douglas Barring the Door, (15th century), c1910

Catherine Douglas, later Catherine Kate Barlass, was a historical figure who tried to prevent the assassination of King James I of Scotland (1394-1437) on February 20, 1437. Douglas was a lady-in-waiting to his queen, Joan Beaufort (c1404-1445). Legend has it that during the King's stay at a Dominican chapterhouse in Perth, Sir Robert Graham led a group of men in a plot to kill the King. The King's Chamberlain, Robert Stewart, Master of Atholl, aware of the plot against his life, removed the bolt from the door of the room in which the royal couple were staying. Upon the arrival of the plotters James fled into a sewer tunnel whilst the queen and her ladies quickly replaced the floorboards to hide his location. Catherine sprang to the door and placed her arm through the staples to bar the assassins entrance. All to no avail however as they forced the door open anyway breaking Catherine's arm. Upon discovering the King they killed him. From a Pictorial Record of Remarkable Events in The History of the World, published by James Sangster and Co., c1910

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