Agnes Dunbar (Black Agnes)
Show notes
Meet Agnes Dunbar, better known as Black Agnes, a 14th-century Scottish countess who took one look at an invading English army and basically said, "Absolutely fucking not."
When the English laid siege to Dunbar Castle in 1338, Agnes was left to defend it while her husband was away at war. What followed was five months of catapults, threats, attempted starvation, and some truly legendary medieval trolling.
We're talking ladies-in-waiting dusting off castle walls after an attack, a very unfortunate siege weapon called a "sow," and Agnes sending her enemies freshly baked bread and wine just to rub it in.
Grab a scotch on the rocks and join us as we get into the life, legend, and unmatched petty energy of Black Agnes, the Scottish countess who refused to surrender.
Time stamps:
00:00 chit chat
03:31 Black Agnes: Origins, family and politics
10:38 Why Black Agnes
14:40 Dunbar Castle Deep Dive
16:19 Regency Crisis and War
23:29 Agnes Left In Charge & the siege of Dunbar Castle
42:20 Siege Ends And Legacy
Sources:
- Nerdy article about her name: https://open.journals.ed.ac.uk/ScottishStudies/article/download/699/707
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