When King James came to the throne of Scotland, the whole country was in
a state of rebellion.
The King tried to restore order, but the wicked nobles hated him, and
plotted together to take his life.
It was Christmas, and King James, with his Queen Joan and a party of
faithful friends, was celebrating the season at an old monastery in
Perth. The day had passed merrily, and the royal couple prepared to
retire.
Suddenly the clang of arms was heard. The ladies rushed to secure the
door of the room, but alas! the bolts and bars had gone, and only the
empty staples remained. Meanwhile King James seized the tongs, and
tearing up a board in the floor, let himself down into a vault below.
But before there was time to replace the board, the murderers came
rushing along. Then Catherine Douglas, one of the Queen's ladies, flew
to the door and thrust her arm through the empty staples, thus gaining
time to allow her sovereign to escape. The brave arm was but a frail
bar, and was soon broken, and the traitors burst into the room, to find
no sign of King James.
Unfortunately the King was unable to get out of the vault. The ladies
then made ropes of the sheets, and tried to pull him up, but the noise
was heard by the ruffians. They again rushed into the room and the
unfortunate monarch was most cruelly murdered.
Although Catherine's brave deed was not rewarded by the salvation of her
King's life, yet it was an act of self-sacrifice which places her among
the ranks of true heroines.