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Agnes, Countess of Dunbar
Agnes Randolph of Dunbar, also known as Black Agnes for her dark hair and swarthy complexion, was the daughter of the Earl of Moray. Born around 1312 into a family loyal to the Scottish Crown, she married Patrick, Earl of Dunbar and March, a man who played both sides in the Scottish Wars of Independence.
It is probable that Agnes would have remained an unknown sidenote to history, mentioned only in passing in the Lists of the Peerage had she not been left in charge of Dunbar Castle in January 1338 while her husband was away on business.
Upon hearing that Dunbar Castle was defended by only Agnes and a small group of inhabitants, the English decided to attack. Montague, Earl of Salisbury led what was supposed to be a swiftly successful attack. They were mistaken. They had not accounted for Black Agnes; ballsy, brilliant, and fiercely loyal to Scotland.
Sir Walter Scott reports a song about the siege from the point of view of the Earl of Salisbury.
She kept a stir in tower and trench
That brawling, boisterous Scottish wench;
Came I early, came I late,
I found Agnes at the gate