THE story of Dunbar’s most famous female will be told on television on Friday evening.

The legendary Black Agnes, who lived in the 1300s, features in the second episode of a new series of The People’s History Show.

Presenter and journalist Sarah Mack and historian and adventurer Ashley Cowie look back in time to discover the places and people that make up the country’s history.

Historian Judith Bowers, along with a television crew, visited Dunbar last week and toured the town’s harbour, alongside Gordon Easingwood, chairman of Dunbar and District History Society.

He said that the television show had originally spoken to the town’s harbourmaster, Quentin Dimmer, who pointed them in the direction of the history society.

A 45-minute spell of filming then took place at the harbour, with Dunbar Castle in the background, where Mr Easingwood was quizzed on the story of Black Agnes – so called because of her unusual olive complexion and dark hair.

He described appearing on television as “daunting” but added: “I’ve done it umpteen times.

“As long as it helps Dunbar then it is great – I just hope I never let them down.”

Black Agnes was the daughter of Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, nephew and companion-in-arms of Robert the Bruce.

In 1338, the English laid siege to Dunbar Castle, where Lady Agnes was in residence with her servants and a few guards. However, she was determined not to surrender the fortress.

Women were known to take charge of castle or manor business while the husband was away in the Middle Ages and Lady Agnes was responsible for one of the best remembered instances.

Salisbury’s first attempt at taking the castle centred on catapulting huge rocks and lead shot at the ramparts, but this was met with disdain by Lady Agnes, who had one of her ladies-in-waiting dust off the ramparts with her kerchief.

Agnes thwarted the invaders at every turn and ultimately forced them to abandon the siege.

In addition to Black Agnes’ story, Mr Easingwood also spoke briefly about Thomas the Rhymer, who famously said: “On the morrow, afore noon, shall blow the greatest wind that ever was heard before in Scotland.”

The chairman of the history society said that the quote came at a gathering held by the Earl of Dunbar and was largely “poo-pooed”, but came just hours before news broke of the death of Alexander III.

Ahead of the show, which is broadcast at 8pm on STV, Sarah Mack said: “It has been a fantastic opportunity to work on a series that never ceases to amaze me with the weird, wonderful and sometimes gruesome history it explores.”