Associated Family Names: DRYSDALE, LOCKERBIE, MORTON. A brief History: The Douglases were one of Scotland1s most powerful families. It is suggested that the name comes from the lands by Douglas water. The first mention on record is of a William de Dufglas who witnessed a charter by the Bishop of Glasgow between 1175 and 1199 . William Douglas was governor of Berwick when it was besieged by the English. He later joined Sir William Wallace in the struggle for independence and died in England in 1302. His son, 'the good Sir James', founder of the Black Douglases was killed by the Moors in Spain in 1330. The 2nd Earl of Douglas married a Stewart princess and was killed at Otterburn in 1388. Archibald, the 3rd Earl, successfully defended Edinburgh Castle against Henry IV of England and died in 1401. The Douglases were seen to be so powerful that in 1440 the young 6th Earl and his brother were beheaded in front of James II. 12 years later the 8th Earl was invited by James II to Stirling Castle and murdered with James II striking the first blow. The 9th Earl died in 1491 the last of his line. George 1st Earl of Angus was the first of the Red Douglases he to married a Stewart princess. Archibald 5th Earl of Angus Known as 'bell the cat' became Lord Chancellor of Scotland. The 6th Earl became guardian of James V by marrying Margaret Tudor. James Earl of Morton brother of the 7th Earl was one of the murderers of rizzio and implicated in the assassination of Lord Darnley. He was executed in 1581. William, 11th Earl of Angus and 1st Marquess of Douglas lived at Douglas Castle and was a supporter of Charles I during the civil wars.