A family fable gives the origin of the
Another theory states that the founder of the family was a Fleming named
Theobald who came to
William of Dufglas witnessed a charter from Joceline, Bishop of Glasgow to the monks of Kelso between 1175 and 1199. He also attended the court of William the Lion and his name often occurs as a witness to William's charters.
William was either the brother or brother-in-law of Sir Freskin de Kerdale in Moray. In his "Cronykil" Wyntoun states:
"Of Murrawe and
the Douglas
How that thare begynnyng was,
Syn syndry men spekes syndryly
I can put that in na story.
But in thare armeyis both thai bere
The Sternys (stars) set in Iyk manere;
Til mony men it is phit sene
Apperand Iyk (seeming as if) that thai had bene
Of kyn be descens Igneale
Or be branchys collaterele."
Issue-
· 2I. ERKENBALD or ARCHIBALD- m.? MARGARET De CRAWFORD, d.c.1240
· II. Brice- prior of Lesmahago and in 1203 Bishop of Moray
· III. Fretheskin- parson of Douglas and later Dean of Moray
· IV. Hugh- Canon of Spynie and Archdeacon of Moray
· V. Alexander- Canon of Spynie,
Vicar of
· VI. Henry- Canon of Spynie
Ref:
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
"History of the House of Douglas"- Rt. Hon. Sir Herbert Maxwell,
Freemantle & Co., London, 1902, Vol.I, pp.9-16 "Cronykil"-
Wyntoun, B.VIII, c.7
"History of the Douglasses"- David Hume of Godscroft, 1643-4
"
"Origines Parochiales Scotiae"- Vol.I, p.155
m.? MARGARET De CRAWFORD
d. 1240
He was a witness to a confirmation by Jocelyn, Bishop of Glasgow of a toft
of land in
Douglas
Castle
Issue-
· 3I. WILLIAM- m.1. ?, 2. ? Constance Battail of Fawdon, Northumberland, d. 1276
· 23II. ANDREW- of Dufglas
Ref:
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
"History of the House of Douglas"- Rt. Hon. Sir Herbert Maxwell,
Freemantle & Co., London, 1902, Vol.I, pp.16-7
"Liber Collegii Nostre Domine de Glascii"- Maitland Club, 1846, X,
235
"Liber de Melros"- I, 214
3I. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2)
m.1. ?
2. ? Constance Battail of Fawdon, Northumberland
d. 1276
In the absence of documentary proof it must be assumed that William "Long-leg" was the son of Archibald as he was the third recorded owner of the lands.
William was a witness to charters in 1240 and 1248 and is mentioned in the Pipe Rolls in 1241 as a surety for a payment by Michael Fitz Michael of Ryhulle. In 1256 he granted the lands of Warentham of Warndon, Northumberland to his second son William. (1)
About 1264 William purchased the house and lands of Fawdon, Northumberland.
These he held as a vassal of the Earl of Angus who was the English knight
Gilbert de Umfraville, Lord of Redesdale who asked Prince Edward to return the
manor of Fawdon. The case was tried before a jury and
Issue-
· I. Hugh- m. Margery de Abernethy,
d.s.p. before 1288. The indenture between Sir Hugh de Abernethy and Sir William
de Douglas for this marriage is the earliest charter of the
· 4II. WILLIAM- m.1. ELIZABETH STEWARD (d. before 1288), 2. 1288 ELEANOR LOVAINE (m.1. William de Ferrers, Lord of Groby), d. 1302
Ref:
(1) "Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland
1108-1509"-Joseph Bain, H.M. Gen. Reg. House, Edinburgh, 1881-8, Vol.I,
p.394
(2) Maitland's MS, Hamilton Palace, quoted by William Fraser in
"The Douglas Book", 1885
(3) "Placitorum Abbreviatio"- p.166; Bain- Vol.I, p.485
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
"History of the House of Douglas"- Rt. Hon. Sir Herbert Maxwell,
Freemantle & Co., London, 1902, Vol.I, pp.18-9
4II. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3)
m.1. ELIZABETH, daughter of Alexander the Steward (d. before 1288)
2. 1288 ELEANOR, daughter of Matthew, Lord of Lovaine
(m.1. William de Ferrers, Lord of Groby)
d. 1302
At the assize held at Newcastle upon Tyne in 1256 his father reported that he had granted William a carucate of land at Warendon in Northumberland for his homage and service.(1)
William then succeeded his brother in 1288. Also in 1288
Ruins
of Douglas Castle
In 1289 William sent a messenger from Glasgow to the Abbot of Kelso to receive his family charters which had been stored in the cell of Lesmahagow for safety.(3)
A certain wealthy widow, Eleanor, widow of William de Ferrers had obtained
from King Edward a handsome dowry from her husband's English lands and also
from his possessions in five Scottish counties. While coming north to collect
her rents in 1288 she stayed at Tranent castle with Eleanor de Zouch, widow of
Alan de Zouch. One morning William along with John Wishart arrived with a large
force and carried off Dame Eleanor to be his wife. King Edward was not pleased
and on 28 Jan. 1289 he ordered the sheriff of Northumberland to seize all of
William's Northumberland possessions and to imprison him if he could find him.
The sheriff reported in April that he had seized all of William's lands within
his jurisdiction as well as those of John Wishart and wanted a special mandate
to seize Wishart's land within the jurisdiction of Thomas de Normanville. On 27
March Edward demanded the immediate arrest of William and Eleanor from the
Guardians of Scotland, but they did not reply perhaps because William had
powerful friends at court, two of the Regents being his brothers in law James
Stewart and Comyn, Earl of Buchan. William however was captured and imprisoned
in
William signed the treaty of
On 5 July 1291 William "the Hardy" swore allegience to Edward I in
the chapel of Thurston in
William later attacked the English and in 1296 was governor of the
"Thus thai
slayand ware sa fast
All the day, qwhill (until) at the last
This Kyng Edward saw in the tyde
A woman slayne, and off hyr syde
A barne (child) he was fall out, sprewland
Besyd that woman slayne Iyand.
'Lasses, lasses!' (laissez) than cryid he;
'Leve off,- Leve off!' that word suld be."(7)
After the garrison had surrendered and was allowed to March out with military honors William was detained as a prisoner in one of the towners of the castle called Hog's Tower. His lands in Essex were seized and the sheriff of Essex reported that he had arrested at Stebbing William's son Hugh who was nearly two years old.(8) In the same year he renewed his oath to Edward in Edinburgh when he signed the Ragman Roll and on 30 Aug. 1296 his land in Scotland was restored to him by order of the King but his English possessions were forfeited thus destroying all reason for William to remain faithful to England.
In May 1297 he joined Sir William Wallace and had his estates invaded by
Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick and his wife and children were carried off to
Lochmaben. William was released at Berwick but failing to produce the
stipulated hostages was imprisoned again. On 24 July the Constable of Berwick
wrote to King Edward: "Sir William de Douglas is in your
In a later letter the Constable says" "Sir William de Douglas has
not kept the covenants he made with Sir Henry de Percy; he is in your castle of
Berwick in my keeping, and he is still very savage and very abusive, but I
shall keep him in such wise that if it please God he shall not escape."
After Wallace's victory at
The
Issue- first child by
· 5I.
JAMES- d. 25 Aug. 1330,
· II. Hugh-
· 6III. ARCHIBALD- m. BEATRICE LINDSAY, d. 22 July 1333
Ref:
(1) "Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland
1108-1509"- Joseph Bain, H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1881-8,
I, 394
(2) "The Douglas Book"- William Fraser, C.B. 1885, IV,
I
(3) Liber de Calchou- I, 168
(4) Cal. of Doc.- II, 92-3, 123
(5) Rotuli Scotiae- I, 7
(6) "Documents Illustrative of the History of Scotland 1286-
1306"- Rev. J. Stevenson, H.M. Gen. Reg. House, Edinburgh, 1870, I, 403
(7) "The Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland"- Andrew of
Wyntoun, VIII, 9
(8) Cal. of Doc.- II, 173
(9) "Documents Illustrative of the History of Scotland 1286-
1306"- Rev. J. Stevenson, H.M. Gen. Reg. House, Edinburgh, 1870, II, 205
(10) Cal. of Doc.- II, 269, 437
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.I, pp.20-8
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
5I. JAMES (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4)
d. 25 Aug. 1330,
"The Good Sir James" had taken refuge in
"What lands doth he claim?", said the
King.
"The lordship of
"Sir bishop!", said the King
"you cannot by your fealty speak of this to me. His father was a traitor;
let him seek land where he may; he shall not have these, for Clifford, who
holds them, has ever served me loyally."
After Comyn's murder James joined the Bruce. His estate having been given to Lord Clifford by the English King he was determined to het them back. James then went to Lamberton to inform him of his decision: "thou hast seen how these English have spoiled me of my paternal property. Thou hast heard too how the Earl of Carrick has openly asserted his claim to the crown whilst these trangers are leagued against him and have determined to avenge the slaughter of Comyn and disinherit him as they have done me. Therefore since these things are so I have resolved with your good leave to join my fortunes to Bruce and share with him both weal and woe; nor do I despair, through his help to gain my lands in spite of Clifford and all his kin."
"Grateful should I be in God my sweet son that thou went there!", replied the Bishop, "yet were I now openly to
give thee the means of joining him, it would work my ruin. Go then secretly and
take from my stable my own horse. Should the groom make any resistance spare
not a blow to quell it. This will exculpate me and
thou mayest then obey they will." James followed these directions and rode
to Errickstane to meet Bruce on his way to
On Sunday 26 June 1306 Aymer de Valence attacked the Scots in the woods near
Methven. King Robert was unhorsed by Sir Philip de Mowbray and was rescued by
Sir Christopher de Seton and escaped accompanied by his brother Edward, the
Earl of Athol, Gilbert De La Haye, Nigel Campbell and James Douglas. They then
wandered throughout the
"But worthy
James of Douglas
Ay travaland (industrious) and besy was
for to purchas the ladyis met (meat),
and it on many
For quhile (sometimes) he venesoun tham brocht,
And with his handis quhile he wrocht
Gynnis (snares) to tak geddis (pike) and samounis,
Troutis,
They were attacked by John of Lorn at Dalry and James received a serious wound. This incident was confirmed by a letter from King Edward to the Prince of Wales 14 Sept. acknowledging John of Lorn's services.(2) The fugitives arrived at Loch Lomond and were not able to go around the loch as it was guarded by the enemy. James found a sunken boat which he patched up, but it would only hold three passesngers so they spent the whole night crossing the water. The group then proceeded to Rathlin island where they spent the winter.
In the spring Sir Robert Boyd and James went to attack Brodick castle in
During all the struggles of that period James was a staunch supporter of
Bruce subduing the forests of Selkirk and Jedburgh and recovering his
"For mele and malt and blud and wyn (wine)
Ran all togidder in a mellyn,
That was unsemly for to se:
Tharfor the men of that cuntre,
for sic thingis thar mellit (mingled) wer,
Callit it the
James then threw all the dead horses into the well to make it useless. He then set fire to the place and nothing was left standing.
St.
Bride's Church- Douglas
The castle was rebuilt by the English and commanded by captain Thirlwall. James attacked the castle but failed to capture it. James vowed that he would take revenge on anyone who would take possession of it. It was afterwards known as the Perilous Castle of Douglas.
Aymer de Valence sent Sir John de Mowbray to attack King Robert, however
near
James next tried to recapture his castle:
"The aventurous castell of Douglass,
That to kep sa peralous was."
James sent 14 of his men dressed as peasants to lead horses carrying sacks
stuffed with grass in view of the castle. The English thought they were
carrying corn to the Lanark fair and saw a chance for easy plunder. Sir John de
Wanton and his men left the castle to capture the convoy but as he approached
the "peasants" pushed off the sacks, mounted the horses and attacked
while James and some other men attacked from the rear completely destroying all
resistence. The castle was again razed to the ground. This assault upon castle
James then assisted Robert the Bruce in the battle against John of Lorn in Aug. 1308 with James attacking the flank and rear of the Highlanders and scattering them in every direction.
James then laid siege to Dunstaffnage which was surrendered by Alexander of
Argyle in time for James to take his seat at the Parliament held at
The Scots then continued to raid northern
On 6 March 1313 he took Roxburgh castle while the English garrison were making merry on the eve of Lent. Sym of the Ledhouse had made rope ladders with grappling hooks to scale the walls and James with 60 men dressed in black shrouds crept up to the castle and went over the walls. They had surprised the garrison at their dance in the great hall however Sir William de Fiennes held out in the castle keep until the next day, but being mortally wounded in the face he surrendered. Because of this and other exploits the English called James the "Black Douglas" while the Scots called him "the Good Sir James".
At the battle of
James replied: "My heart will not suffer me to stand by and see
The next morning with Walter the Steward and others he received the accolade from the King in the presence of the whole army and was created the Lord of Douglas, a knight banneret which can only be done on the field of battle.(see Vol. I, pp. 272-5)
After winning the battle James with 60 horsemen chased Edward as far as
Dunbar where he escaped in a fishing skiff to
"Alwais by tham
ner
He let tham nocht haf sic laser (leisure)
As anis watir for to ma."(5)
The same year James along with Edward Bruce raided
James was at the Parliament at Cambushkenneth in Nov. 1314 and at the Parliament of Ayr on 25 Apr. 1315.(6)
James raided the bishopric of
King Robert and James were involved in an unsuccessful attack on Berwick on
10 Jan. 1316 when James narrowly escaped in a small boat. On 14 Mar. some
Gascon mercenaries raided Tweeddale but were attacked by Sir William de Soulis,
Sir Henry de Baliol and James at Scaith Moor in Coldstream parish. James was
appointed guardian of the kingdom while Robert the Bruce was in
Sir Robert de Nevill, the Peacock of the North said that he was sick of hearing about James' valour and vowed that he would attack him wherever he should see his banner. James then marched to Berwick where he met the Peacock in single combat as this was considered most chivalrous. They charged at each other with lances and the Peacock was killed. During the ensuing battle the English were defeated and Nevill's three brothers were captured and held for a ransom of 2000 marks each.(8)
Another attack on Berwick was made on 28 March 1317 by King Robert, the Earls
of Moray and March, and James and they easily took possession of the town. That
night most of the men slipped away to loot the town and at dawn James and Moray
found themselves without any guards. The army in the castle took advantage of
the opportunity and drove the Scots back, but the English were eventually
repulsed and Sir Roger de Horsley surrendered 16 weeks later on 20 July 1317.(9) Edward II then attacked Scotland on 24
July 1319 and King Robert sent James and Moray to create a diversion by invading
England and to try to capture the Queen at York. They did not get the Queen but
they did overrun all the northern counties and defeated Archbishop Melton and
his army of monks at Myton-on-Swale 20 Sept. 1319 capturing the Archbishop's
plate and valuables. Because of the "Chapter of Myton" Edward II
withdrew from
On 6 May 1320 James received the lands, castle and
In Jan. 1321/2 Moray, Walter the Steward and James swept through
Moray and James crossed the border again on 15 March 1327 with 20,000
cavalry burning, spoiling and slaying through Northumberland and Westmorland
and camped at Weardale.(14) The English
approached from the north with seven columns. As the Scots lay on th south bank of the Wear the English offered to let them
cross enmolested so as to fight it out on a fair field or if they preferred
they would be allowed to cross for the same purpose. Moray wanted to accept the
offer but James argued that there was nothing dishonorable in using strategy
against a superior force, so for several days the two enemies faced each other
across the river molesting each other at every opportunity. One morning 1000
English archers and cavalry attacked the Scots but James placed a squadron of
cavalry in ambush under his brother Archilbald, Earl of Mar and rode back and
forth himself in full view of the archers with a cloak concealing his armour
hoping to lure them to destruction. Robert de Ogle recognised James and rode
back to his countrymen: "For God's sake, have a care!
Yon rider is the Black Douglas and he will have you in some trap
presently." It was too late, James blew his horn and the hidden squadron
galloped forth and scattered the English. The Scots then secretly moved camp
and James rode across the river with 200 men and approached the English camp.
Coming to one of the outposts he was mistaken for an officer going his rounds
and said: "Ha! St. George! No watch here!" and he and his men dashed
into the camp and cut the tent ropes and created great confusion. They came to
the royal pavilion and almost captured the king but the alarm was sounded by
that time and James and his men fled back to their camp. Moray wanted to fight
the English but James replied: "A certain fisherman returning to his
cottage one night found a fox eating a fine salmon which he had left there. The
fisherman put himself in the only exit- the doorway and stood, sword in hand
waiting for the fox. But the fox was no simpleton, he
was quite equal to the dilemma. The fisherman's cloak lay on the bed, this the fox seized and drew it across the fire. The owner
seeing his cloak burning started forward to save it and the fox immediately
boltetd through the unguarded door. Now we Scots are the fox, the King of
England the fisherman. He stands in the door and bars our return to our own
land. He shall fare no better than the fisherman whose salmon was eaten, whose
cloak was burnt and from whom the fox escaped. I have planned a way of escape,
somewhat wet to be sure, but we shall not lose a single page in taking
it." On 4 Aug. the Scots made a great show of preparation in their camp. A
soldier was allowed to be taken prisoner and told the English that Moray had
issued orders for all troops to be ready to do battle an hour after sunset. The
English were alerted for a night attack, but as soon as it was dark the Scots
marched back to
During the next two years James was in almost constant attendance of the
ailing King at Cardross on the
James sailed from
James Douglas' Tomb- St. Bride's Church
Barbour wrote a portrait of the Black Douglas less than 50 years after his death:
"Bot he was
nocht sa far (fair) that we
Suld spek gretly of his beaute.
In visage was he sumdele gray,
And had blak har, as I herd say;
Bot of limmis he was wele mad (well made),
With banes gret and schuldris brad;
His body was wele mad and lenyhe (lean),
As tha that saw him said to me.
Quhen he was blith he was lusty,
And mek and suet in cumpany.
Bot, quha in battale micht him se,
All othir contenans had he,
And in spek ulispit he sumdele (lisped a little),
Bot that sat him richt wondir wele."(16)
At
"So mony guid as
of the Douglas Beine,
Of ane surname was never in Scotland Seine.
I Wel ye charge, efter that I depart,
To Holy gravfe and thair bury by hart;
Let it remain ever, both tyme and hour,
to the last day I sic my saviour.
So I protest in tyme of al my Ringe (reign),
Ye lyk subjects had never ony Keing."
Issue-
· 7I. ARCHIBALD- d. 1401
· 37II. ?JOANNA- m.1. c.1345 HUGH GIFFARD (b.c.1322, d. before 16 Mar. 1366), 2. c.1366 Nigel Cunningham, d. after 1400
· 38III. WILLIAM- unmarried, killed at the battle of Halidon Hill 19 July 1333
Ref:
(1) "The Brus"- Barbour, XVII
(2) Bain- II, 490
(3) "The Brus"- Barbour, XLII
(4) Bain- II, 526
(5) "The Brus"- CIX, 55
(6) Act. Parl. Scot.- I, 14
(7) Lanercost- 230, 232
(8) Bain- III, 101
(9) Ibid- 115
(10) Fraser- III, 10
(11) "Scalacronica"- 150
(12) Fraser- III, 11
(13) Ibid- 2
(14) Bain- III, 34, 167
(15) Ibid- 179
(16) "The Brus"- V, 107
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.I, pp.29-66
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
7I. ARCHIBALD (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5)
d. 1401
Sir Archibald "the Grim" succeeded his cousin James who was killed at Otterburn in 1388 as 3rd Earl of Douglas. Archibald's succession was disputed by Sir Malcolm Drummond, husband of Sir James' sister Isabel, but Drummond's claim was set aside by Parliament at Holyrood in Apr. 1389 and Archibald became the Earl of Douglas.
It is said that he surpassed all his peers in wisdom, prowess, in the extent of his acquisitions and in his wealth. It is stated that "he was dark and ugly, more like a coco (cook boy) than a noble."(1)
In 1356 he went with William, Earl of Douglas to
Ramsay then ordered him to go to the battle field to search for his master's
body stating: "go you rascal and seek your master's body among the slain,
so that we may at least give it honourable burial."(3)
Before returning to Scotland Archibald stayed at
"Sir Archilbald Douglas was a good knight and much feared by his enemies, when near to the English he dismouted, and wielded before him an immense sword whose blade was two ells long, which another could not have lifted from the ground, but he found no difficulty in handling it, and gave such terrible strokes that all on whom they fell were struck to the ground."(4)
"He was callit Archibald Grym be the Englishmen, becaus of his terrible countenance in weirfair."(5)
In 1361 he was appointed Constable of Edinburgh Castle at a salary of 200 marks, an office which he held with that of Sheriff of Edinburgh until about 1364."(6)
In the autumn of 1364 he was Warden of the West Marches,
On 18 Sept. 1369 King David appointed Archibald to rule the turbulent region
of
In March 1371 two days after the coronation of Robert II he was sent to
Thomas Fleming, Earl of Wigtown sold the lands and Earldom of Wigtownshire to Archibald the sale being confirmed by Robert II 7 Oct. 1372.(10)
Archibald built a hospital at Devorguille's Abbey at Holywood near
Archibald increased the size of his estate by marrying Joanna daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Moray, Lord of Bothwell.
The Castle of the Thrieve in Galloway on an island in the
In 1385 Archibald joined Robert II in his invasion of
Archibald was an umpire at the duel between Thomas Struthers, an Englishman who had challenged William Inglis, a Scot to combat at Rulehaugh in Bedrule. The two fought in the presence of the two Wardens the Earls of Douglas and Northumberland until the Englishman was killed.
In 1399 the Duke of Rothesay was betrothed to Elizabeth, daughter of Dunbar,
Earl of March for which March paid a large sum to the King. Hearing this
Archibald protested that the betrothal had not received the consent of the
Estates and supported by the council he offered his own daughter Marjorie as
Rothesay's bride together with a larger sum than March had paid. The king
consented and Rothesay threw off Elizabeth Dunbar and married Marjorie Douglas
in Feb. 1400. March demanded the fulfilment of his pledge or the return of his
money. The king did not want to offend the powerful
Archibald witnessed a charter at Renfrew on 5 Oct. 1400 but he must have
died before 9 Feb. 1400/1 when his widow Joanna made a grant to her son
Archibald, 4th Earl of Douglas. Grey's manuscript states that he died on
Christmas Eve 1400 at
"He wes a lord
off gret bownte,
Off stedfastness and clere lawte (loyalty);
He wes off gud devotionne;
Off justice he bare gret renown.
But (without) dout he endit graciously,
And lyvis in joy perpetualy."(15)
Issue- first three children by Joanna
· I. Archibald- 4th Earl of
Douglas, m. Princss Margaret Stewart, d. battle of
· 8II. JAMES- m.1. ? Lady Beatrix Stewart (d.s.p.), 2. before Mar. 1426 BEATRIX SINCLAIR, d. 24 Mar. 1443 Abercorn
· III. Marjorie-
m.1. David, Duke of Rothesay, 2. Sir Walter Haliburton of Dirleton,
Treasurer of
· 9IV.
WILLIAM- m. Princess EGIDIA STEWART,
murdered 1390 Danzig (
Ref:
(1) Bower
(2) Pluscarden- I, 300
(3) Fordun- II, 358; Pluscarden- I, 300
(4) Froissart- II, c.10
(5) Registrum Magni Sigilli- I, 106
(6) Rotuli Scotiae- I, 957; Charters of St. Giles- pp.11, 15, 19
(7) Exchequer Rolls- II, 356
(8) Reg. Mag. Sig.- I, 69; Maitland MS- quoted by Fraser- I, 328
(9) Exchequer Rolls- II, 363
(10) Reg. Mag. Sig.- I, 114
(11) Wyntoun- IX, c.8; Fordun- II, 404
(12) Maitland MS- quoted by Fraser- I, 342
(13) Pluscarden- II, 255
(14) Antiquities of Aberdeen & Banff- II, 290; III, 363; The
Swintons of that Ilk- appendix X, XI; Fraser- I, 347
(15) Wyntoun- IX, c.21
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.I, pp.114-26
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
8II. JAMES (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, ARCHIBALD 6)
m.1. ? Lady Beatrix Stewart (d.s.p.)
2. before March 1426 BEATRIX SINCLAIR, daughter of Henry, Earl of Orkney
d. 24 March 1443 Abercorn, bur. St. Bride's Church in
Called James the Gross of Balvany, Banffshire he was a prudent and peaceable man and succeeded his grand- nephew after his execution.
Isabella, Countess of Douglas & Mar bestowed upon Archibald Douglas the
barony of Cavers, but because this had been done without the King's consent
Robert III cancelled the gift and gave the barony to Sir David Fleming in Aug.
1405.(1) James the Gross undertook to
wipe out this affront in blood. In Feb. 1406 when Fleming was returning from
James' possessions were very extensive and included Balvany and Bocharn in Banff, Avoch, Edderdan, Stratherne and Brachly in Inverness, Aberdour and Rattray in Aberdeen, Kilmalaman and one third of Duffus in Elgin, Abercorn in Linlithgow, Avondale and Pettinain in Lanark and Stewarton in Ayr.(2)
James was Warden of the
After the battle of
"And quhar yhe say that Berwike that standis in Scotlande, the
qwhilk toun yhe call yhouris in yhour sayde lettres, and certayne landis of
yhouris wythin Inglande was brende be my men, my will and myn assent, brekand
the trewis, and nocht in yhouris, and in the contrar of myn athe, tharto I
answer in this maner, that qwhat tyme it like to our lige Lorde the Kynge, and
to yhour hee Excellent, to ordaine redress to be made be his commissaris and
yhouris of all attemptatis done of aythir syde, I sall, with the help of Gode,
make it well kennyt that I haff trewly kepit myn athe and the trewis, as
afferys to me of resoun. And qwhawer enfurmit yhour Excelence that I hade brokyn
myn athe it had bene fayrar for him to haffe sende me that querelle into wryt
undir his selle (seal), and til haff tane answere greable as afferit to him
under my seelle agayne, than sua untrewly in myn absence till enfourme yhour
Excellence, for I trayst he has saide mar in myn absence than he dar avow in my
presens, for-nocht displece yhour honour-learys (liars) sulde be lytill alowit
wyth ony sic worschipfull kynge as yhe are... Hee, almychty prynce, the Haly Gast yow haff in his yhemsall (in himself) evermar-
Wrytyn at Eddynburghe, under my selle, the XXVI day of Julii.
James of Douglas, Wardane of the
To ane excellent and a mychty
prynce, Kynge of Inglande."
James was at the General Council at
He had grown so obese that he probably lived very much a retired life: "To the takin (token) thai said he had in him four stane of talch (tallow) and mair."(6)
Issue-
· I. William- m. Lady Margaret Douglas, "The Fair Maid of Galloway", murdered by King James 13 Feb. 1452
· II. James- 9th and last Earl of Douglas, d. 15 Apr. 1488
· III. Archibald- Earl of Moray
· IV. Hugh- Earl of Ormond
· V. John- Lord of Balveny
· VI. Henry- Bishop of Dunkeld
· VII. Margaret- m. Henry Douglas of Borgue, Galloway
· VIII. Beatrix- m. Sir William
Hay, Constable of
· 10IX. JANET- m. ROBERT FLEMING
· X. Elizabeth- m. Sir John Wallace of Craigie Ref:
(1) Fraser- I, 434- quoting a charter at Cavers
(2) Ibid- 437-8
(3) Ibid- 440- quoting original protest at Crookston
(4) Exchequer Rolls- III, 567; IV, 113, 115, 193, 216, 244, 270,
296, 301, 365
(5) Acta Parl. Scot.- II, 56
(6) Auchinleck Chronicle
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.I, pp.157-61
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
9IV. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, ARCHIBALD 6)
m. 1387 EGIDIA STEWART, daughter of Robert
II
murdered 1392, Danzig (
Sir William "the Black Douglas", Lord of Nithsdale was the illegitimate son of Archibald "the Grim". He was a famous warrior and his name was a terror to the English.
He was at the attack of
"A yhowny joly
bachelere
Prysyd gretly wes off were,
for he wes enyr traveland
Qwhille be se and qwhille be land
To skathe his fays rycht besy
Swa that thai dred him grettumly."(1)
By his marriage to Egidia, William obtained the lands of Nithsdale. On 8
Nov. 1388 Archibald gave William the lands of Herbertshire in
The Irish had been attacking the coast of
In 1389 with some Scottish knights he went to
Issue-
· I. William- disappeared about 1408 (3)
· 11II. EGIDIA- m. HENRY SINCLAIR
Ref:
(1) Wyntoun- IX, c.7 (2) Pluscarden- II, 248; Exchequer Rolls- III, 332 (3) Fraser- I, 358; Morton- II, 204
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.I, pp.126-8
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
6III. ARCHIBALD (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4)
m. BEATRICE LINDSAY
of Crawford
d. 22 July 1333 Halidon Hill
Archibald received a charter in 1320 from King Robert to Morebattle in
Roxburghshire and Kirkandrews in Dunfriesshire. In 1324 he received a grant to
Crimond and others in Buchan being already in possession of Cavers in
Roxburghshire, Drumlanrig and Terregles in Dumfriesshire and West Calder in
After King Robert's death Edward Baliol attempted to take the throne with
the aid of Edward III. The English defeated the Scots at Dupplin 12 Aug. 1332
and moved to
Issue-
· 12II. WILLIAM- m. Lady Margaret Mar (m.2. 1388 Sir John de Swinton), mistress Lady MARGARET STEWART (m. Thomas, 13th Earl of Mar, (d. 1377), d. before 23 March 1418), d. 1384
· III. Eleanor- m.1. Alexander, Earl of Carrick, 2. Sir James de Sandilands (d. before 1358), 3. Sir William Tours of Dalry, 4. before 1368 Sir Duncan Wallace of Sundrum, 5. 1376 Sir Patrick Hepburn of Hailes
Ref:
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.I, pp.71-5
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
12II. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, ARCHIBALD 5)
m. Lady Margaret Mar (m.2. 1388 Sir John de
Swinton)
mistress- Lady MARGARET STEWART (m. Thomas,
13th Earl of Mar (d. 1377), d. before 23 March 1418)
d. 1384
At the time of his father's death William was a minor and a ward of the Knight of Liddesdale and was being educated in France.(1)
William returned to
Edward Baliol was living on the lands of Buittle which rightfully belonged
to William who in the summer of 1353 attacked and made the chiefs of
In July 1352 the Knight of Liddesdale was released from the
In Aug. 1353 young William found the Knight of Liddesdale hunting in Ettrick forest where William claimed exclusive rights. During the ensuing argument the Knight of Liddesdale was killed. The place where this occurred is now called William's Hope in commmemoration.
In Feb. 1354 King David gave William a charter of all the lands possessed by his uncle the Good Sir James and his father Sir Archibald including Liddesdale.(4)
Hostilities then broke out again with the English and William attacked
Norham castle. William sent out some foragers under Sir William de Ramsay and
drew out the English squadron towards Nisbet where
William arranged a truce witih the English at Roxburgh and in June 1356 he obtained a safe-conduct from King Edward to allow hm to visit King David.
William then fought at the battle of Poictiers under the King of France against the Black Prince 19 Sept. 1356: "he fought very valiantly for a while but when he perceived that the French were hopelessly defeated he made off as fast as he could, for so much did he dread being taken by the English that he had preferred to be slain."(5)
Before the battle he received knighthood by King John of
At about this time William married Margaret Mar and received the barony of
Drumlanrig. Sir William was made the Earl of Douglas by David II on 26 Jan.
1358. William was taken prisoner with David II at the battle of
King David after being released by the English had the bad habit of
embezzeling the money appropriated for his ransom to have for his own private
use. William entered a bond with the Steward and the Earl of March to right
these affairs and seized the King's
On 6 Oct. 1363 King David signed a treaty at
In 1370 William executed a renunciation of the barony of Dalkeith.(9) It is not clear what rights he possessed in these lands seeing that they had belonged to the Knight of Liddesdale and passed to his daughter Mary and then to his nephew James. William, nevertheless resided at Dalkeith sometime between 1361 and 1366 because the historian Froissart was his guest there for 15 days.(10)
David II died in 1371 and was succeeded by Robert the Steward who was a friend of William. However Wyntoun says that he opposed the accession of Robert by force and assembled his followers at Linlithgow but was attacked by the Earl of March and persuaded him to give up his opposition to the Steward and his pretensions to the throne provided that his son James should marry one of the King's daughters:
"And
the King to this mariage
Gave silver and land in heritage.
Thus efftere a royd harsh begynnyng
Happynyt a sofft and gud endyng."(11)
William was restored to favor and was appointed Justiciar of Scotland south of the Forth and was at the Parliament at Scone in Apr. 1373.(12) In 1374 William received the lands of his brother-in-law Thomas, Earl of Mar who died without any children.
The truce with
"They were full seven hundred lances, and two thousand others whom I call lusty varlets, armed with hunting spears, dirks and pointed staves."(13)
Musgrave rode forth the next day to give battle. William knighted his son and Musgrave did the same. The English were defeated and Musgrave was captured.
On 25 Nov. 1378 fifty Scots captured Berwick and held out for eight days against the Earl of Northumberland. William and his cousin Archibald found the English too strong and fled to the Lothians. The English stormed Berwick and killed all the Scots.
In the spring of 1380 he entered
In 1379 Robert II granted confirmation of an agreement whereby Margaret's sister Elizabeth surrendered all her claim to the Comitatus and Margaret thereafter assumed the style of Countess of Angus and Mar.(14) Margret lived at Tantallon Castle as shown by charters granted by her at that place.(15) Her relations with her late husband's sister's husband were fully recognised. In 1388 Robert, Earl of Fife visited the castle and found her still living there and gave her permission to remain as long as she chose and that:
"In the men tyme, we haf heft trewly we sal manteyn hir, hir men, hir landys and al hir possessons aganys ony that wald wrang thaim, in als tendir maner as wr awyn propir."(16)
There is no record that the church condemned the private life of the
Countess of Angus, but when she infringed upon the temporal rights of the
ecclesiastics she was threatened with excommunication. A dispute arose between
her and the monks of
Issue- first two children by first wife, last two by Margaret
· I. James- b.c.1358, m. Princess Isabel Bruce, d. Aug. 1388
· II. Isabel- m.1. Sir Malcolm Drummond, 2. Alexander Stewart (d. 1435), d. 1408
· 13III. GEORGE- b.c.1378, m. 1397 MARY STEWART (2. Sir James Kennedy, 3. William, Lord of Graham, 4. Sir William Edmonstone of Culloden), d. 1402
· IV. Margaret- m. 1404 Thomas Johnson
Ref:
(1) Morton- II, 46
(2) Ibid- 46-7
(3) Fordun- II, 360
(4) Fraser- I, 226
(5) Froissart- CLXI
(6) Exchequer Rolls- II, pp. 57,136,167,174
(7) Bower- XIV, 27
(8) Bain- IV, 22
(9) Morton- II, 72
(10) Froissart- III, c.126
(11) Wyntoun- IX, 1
(12) Exchequer Rolls- II, 394,462
(13) Froissart- II, c.9
(14) Antiquities of Aberdeenshire, etc.- IV, 160; Fraser- III,
400
(15) Fraser- III, 34
(16) Ibid- 32,35
(17) Priory of Coldingham (Surtees Society)- p.88; Antiquities of
Aberdeenshire, etc.- IV, 733
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.I, pp.76-94
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
13III. GEORGE (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, ARCHIBALD 5, WILLIAM 6)
b.c.1378
m. 1397 MARY STEWART, daughter of Robert III,
(m.2. Sir James Kennedy, 3. William, Lord of Graham, 4. Sir William
Edmonstone of Culloden)
d. 1402
Sir George obtained a grant of the Earldom of Angus 9 Apr. 1389 upon his mother's resignation of it in Parliament but he did not assume the title until after his betrothal in 1397 to Mary, daughter of Robert III, a marriage doubtless brought about by the adroit management of his mother. The countess arranged with the King the terms of the marriage contract on 24 May 1397 and confirmed to "Jorge of Douglas" the earldom of Angus and the lordship of Abernethy and Boncle, the justiciary fees of Forfar, to ratify all gifts, entails and leases made by Isabel, Countess of Mar (widow of his brother James), "to the sayde Jorege his brothir" and all that were made by Sir James of Sandilands, Lord of Calder (his uncle) and finally to maintain the countess in all her possessions within the "kynryc".(1)
George's paternity is fully set forth in a charter to him by his uncle James
of Sandilands, Lord of Cawdor conveying the lands of Cavers, Roxburgh castle,
the sheriffship of Roxburgh, the town, castle and forest of Jedburgh, the lands
of Bonjedworth, the town of Selkirk, the regality of Buittle in Galloway, Dumlanrig
and the lordship of Liddesdale, Tillicoultry in Clackmannan as well as
extensive lands in Banffshire. What means of persuasion the countess employed
to get Sandilands to part with his inheritance is unknown. She also obtained
for him possession of the
George was taken prisoner with his cousin the Earl of Douglas at the battle
of Homildon in 1402 and died the same year in
Issue-
· 14I. WILLIAM- b.c.1398, m. 1425 MARGARET HAY of Yester (d. after 1484), d. Oct. 1437
· 15II. ELIZABETH/MARY- m.1. ALEXANDER FORBES, 2. Sir David Hay of Yester
Ref:
(1) Fraser- III, 38
(2) Ibid- 35,37
(3) Bower- XV, 14
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.II, pp.5-7
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
14I. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, ARCHIBALD 5, WILLIAM 6, GEORGE 7)
b.c.1398
m. 1425 MARGARET HAY of Yester (d. after 1484)
d. Oct. 1437
His grandmother the Countess of Angus betrothed William to Margaret Hay in 1409 and added the lands of Easter Cluny in Perthshire to his possessions.
In 1421 William was nominated one of the 21 hostages for the payment of James I's ransom, the annual value of his estate estimated at 600 marks.(1) However William's name does not appear among those finally appointed to be hostages. William was one of the nobles that met the king at Durham after his release and escorted him back to Scotland where William was knighted by the king at the coronation at Scone in May 1424.(2)
William was one of 21 jurors during the trial of the Duke of Albany, his two
sons and the Earl of Lennox on 24 May 1425. The Duchess of Albany was
imprisoned in William's
William went with the king in July 1429 to avenge the burning of
In 1434 William was ordered by the king to take charge of
James I was assassinated on 20 Feb. 1437 and William took part in the pursuit and capture of Walter, Earl of Athol and his conspirators.
Issue-
· I. James- b.c.1426, d.s.p.1446
· 16II.
GEORGE- m. ISABELLA SIBBALD
of Balgony,
· III. William- d.s.p. before 1475
· 18IV. ELEANOR- m. WILLIAM GRAHAM
Ref:
(1) Foedera- X, 307
(2) Ibid- 309,344; Bain- IV, 170; Pluscarden- II, 299
(3) Bower- XVI, 10; Reg. Mag. Sig.- II, #127
(4) Fraser- III, 65
(5) Bower- XVI, 24
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.II, pp.8-11
16II. GEORGE (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, ARCHIBALD 5, WILLIAM 6, GEORGE 7, WILLIAM 8)
m. ISABELLA SIBBALD of Balgony,
d. 14 Nov. 1462/3
bur. Abernethy
The 4th Earl of Angus "the Red Douglas" has often been declared to have been the second son of George the 1st Earl, but that he was the son of the second earl is proved by a reference to his father in a document of 26 June 1450 as "Willielmus Douglas comes de Angus, pater comitis moderni" that is William Douglas, Earl of Angus, father of the present earl.(1)
In 1448 after Percy and Ogle burned Dunbar castle and
Sir George in 1449 was appointed Warden of the Middle Marches and in 1451 he
was sent as ambassador to
George was wounded by a splinter of the cannon which killed James II at the
siege of Roxburgh on 3 Aug. 1460, but not so seriously as to prevent him from
capturing the castle on the next Friday or from being at the coronation of
James III at Kelso on 10 Aug. 1460. In his manuscript at Hamilton Palace
Godscroft states that at the coronation some fuss arose concerning points of
precedence and George supposedly ended the dispute by pushing aside all the
great men of
Parliament decreed that the Douglases should no longer be hereditary Wardens of the Marches, but George continued to be the Warden of the East and Middle Marches and was appointed Lieutenant of the Realm by the Queen Mother and the Council.(5)
In 1462 George received from the Crown a gift of all the lands, rents, and goods of the forfeited Earl of Douglas in Roxburghshire except those which had already been given to William of Cluny.(6)
On 22 Nov. 1462 George signed a treaty with Henry VI obliging him to aid the
king in the expulsion of Henry's Yorkist enemies. Henry was "to make the
saide erle sufficiantly and suerly after the lawes of England a duke withynne
the said reaume of England, with stile, astate, honure, and name of a
duke" together with a castle and land to the value of 2000 marks as well
as a special provision for not interfering with George or his heirs should war
break out between Scotland and England without any prejudice to their English
property and title. The document was to be submitted to "our holy Fader
the Pope, and by hym approved, ratefied, and confermed perpetuelly to
endure."(7) This agreement was also sanctioned by King
James, but this license has since disappeared from the
In 1462 King Edward IV advanced with a large army against Alnwick when Sir
George and Pierre de Breze, High Steward of
Issue-
· 17I. ARCHIBALD- b.c.1449, m.1. ELIZABETH BOYD, 2.1500 Catherine Sterling of Keir (divorced 1512, m.2. Lord Home), d. 1514 Priory of Whithorn, Galloway
· II. John- probably d.s.p.
· III. Isabella- m. Sir Alexander
Ramsay of Dalwolsey (killed at
· IV.
· 19V. MARGARET- m. Sir DUNCAN CAMPBELL of Glenurchy
· VI. Janet- m.1. David Scott of Buccleuch
· VII. Egidia-
· VIII. Alison-
Ref:
(1) Priory of Coldingham- Surtees Society, p.165
(2) Auchinleck- 27, 40
(3) Acts of Parl. Scot.- II, 42, 75-7
(4) Fraser- III, 86
(5) Acts of Parl. Scot.- II, 43; Pitscottie- I, 153
(6) Fraser- III, 91
(7) Ibid- III, 92
(8) MS at Hamilton Palace- Quoted by Fraser- II, 60, note
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.II, pp.14-21
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
17I. ARCHIBALD (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, ARCHIBALD 5, WILLIAM 6, GEORGE 7, WILLIAM 8, GEORGE 9)
b.c.1449
m.1. ELIZABETH BOYD
2. 1500 Catherine, daughter of Sir William Stirling of Keir (divorced 1512,
m.2. Lord Home, Great Chamberlain of Scotland)
d. 1514 Priory of Whithorn, Galloway
bur. monastery of St. Ninian at Whithorn, his heart bur. at St. Bride's church,
Douglas
Sir Archibald succeeded his father when he was only 14 years old. In 1461 a
contract was made between Archibald's father George and the Earl of Huntly to
arrange a marriage between Huntly's daughter Katherine Gordon and Archibald.(1) However the union never took place
because a more desirable match appeared in Elizabeth, daughter of the powerful
Lord Boyd. However Lord Boyd fell from favor and young Archibald was at the
November Parliament in
In July 1482 when James III was preparing to invade
On 3 June 1483 King James appointed: "oure welebelovit cousing and consalour Archibald erle of Anguse" keeper of the royal castle of Newark in Ettrick Forest for five years along with the lands of Hartwood and Berybuss.(2) In 1486 Archibald was Warden of the Marches and conservator of the peace with Henry VII.(3)
In order to finance his royal chapel at Stirling King James took the
revenues of Coldingham Priory to which the Homes had a hereditary claim. The
Hepburns supported them and both families were the recipients of vigorous
outbursts from the crown and were summoned to appear before the Council.
Archibald and six others were appointed to carry out the decree. The king's son
however supported Homes and King James received Archibald at
The
Archibald was guardian of James IV for a short time and was paid 100 Rose
nobles for a hawk.(4) He was held in
high esteem by James IV and continued to be Warden of the
However Archibald was not content with his position in the government and he
entered into a pact with Henry VII along with Ramsay, Lord Bothwell. Archibald
and his son George signed an agreement to deliver the
In 1496 Archibald received a grant of the lands and Lordship of Crawford in Lanarkshire and received the lands of Braidwood in 1497.(11) Also in 1497 he was appointed Warden of the Middle Marches and Justiciar of Eskdale and Ewesdale.
In 1498 Archibald made a marriage contract with Janet, daughter of John, Lord Kennedy, but Janet became the mistress of James IV. In 1500 Archibald married Katherine Stirling to whom he made a grant of the Earldom of Angus and Lordship of Kirriemuir.(12)
Archibald was under arrest in Dunbarton castle for a few months from Dec. 1501 and was not released until he complied with the King's demand for the resignation of Eskdale which James was determined to reduce to law and order.(13)
In 1510 the barony of Crawford-Lindsay was forfeited because Archibald had given it to Janet Kennedy without the King's consent, but in the next Jan. it was given to the Master of Angus.(14) Archibald divided his estates among his sons giving William the Lordship of Bothwell in 1504 and Braidwood in 1510 and giving George Abernethy in 1511 thus leaving himself landless for George already had possession of Douglas and Angus.(15)
In March 1513 John Forman, a priest of Glasgow supported by Archibald and the Earl of Glencairn tried to force his installation as Abbot of Kilwinning by appearing in force before the monastery and compelling the Abbot to surrender his office to Forman who bore Papal letters as his authority.(16)
Kilwinning
Abbey
Archibald accompanied the King to
Archibald was at the coronation of James V on 21 Sept. 1513 at
Whithorn
Priory
Issue-
· 20I. GEORGE- b.c.1469, m. before 31 Jan. 1488 ELIZABETH DRUMMOND (m.1. Sir David Fleming), d. 9 Sept. 1513
· II. William- killed at
· III. Gavin- Bishop of Dunkeld and a poet
· IV. Archibald- "Greysteil" of Kilspindie
· V. Marion- m. 1492 Cuthbert, Lord Kilmaurs, Earl of Glencairn
· VI.
· VII. Janet- m. 1495 Andrew, Lord Herries
Ref:
(1) Fraser- III, 89
(2) Ibid- 114-5
(3) Acts of Parl. Scot.- II, 153, 167, 169, 175
(4) Treasurer's Accounts- I, 102
(5) Bain- IV, 416
(6) Treasurer's Accounts- I, pp. 107, 180
(7) Ibid- I, 188
(8) Fraser- III, 127
(9) Ibid- I, 134
(10) Acts of Parl. Scot.- II, 231-7
(11) Fraser- III, 164
(12) Reg. Mag. Sig.- II, No. 2539
(13) Fraser- III, 176-9
(14) Ibid- 200
(15) Ibid- 202
(16) Diocesan Registers of Glasgow- Grampian Club, II, 477- 80,
quoted by Fraser- II, 102
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.II, pp.22-47
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
20I. GEORGE (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, ARCHIBALD 5, WILLIAM 6, GEORGE 7, WILLIAM 8, GEORGE 9, ARCHIBALD 10)
b.c.1469
m. before 31 Jan. 1488 ELIZABETH DRUMMOND
(m.1. Sir David Fleming)
d. 9 Sept. 1513
In 1485 George's father contracted a marriage with Margaret, oldest daughter of Laurence, Lord Oliphant. This contract was never carried out as in 1488 he married Elizabeth Drummond. This marriage was discovered to be within the prohibited degrees of consanguinity through George's kinship to David Fleming. This was set right by a Papal dispensation 3 Dec. 1495.(1)
On 31 Jan. and 1 Feb. 1489 George received a grant of his father's lands of Tantallon, Douglasdale, Liddesdale, Ewesdale, Eskdale, Selkirk, Jedburgh Forest, Boncle and Preston.(2)
George was at the last Parliament of James III in Jan. 1488 and the Parliament of James IV in Feb. 1490.(3)
In 1499 George was appointed Warden of Eskdale by the King and on 16 Jan. he met his English counterpart Lord Dacre: "for the gude of peax and reformyng of attemptatis done on either side."(4)
George, however was not able to restore order in his wardenry and for failing to deliver Sym Scott of Arkyn to justice George was compelled to surrender the lands of Fawside to the injured party Ralph Ker of Primsideloch in Oct. 1502.(5) In Nov. George was fined £10 for not arresting the notorious criminal Davidson alias "Grace-behind him".(6) Finally because of George's undue leniency towards his vassals the King deprived him of the Lordship and wardenry of Eskdale and of Ewesdale in 1506.(7)
In 1510 George obtained from his father the barony of Crawford-Lindsay and the estate of Kirriemuir and Abernethy with Horsehopcleugh in Berwickshire.(8)
Godscroft in his manuscript says that during the battle of
Memorial
at the site of the Battle of Flodden
For a wonderful account of the Battle of Flodden go to the
Issue-
· 21I. ARCHIBALD- m.1. Lady Margaret Hepburn (d. 1513), 2. 6 Aug. 1514 Margaret of England, divorced March 1525 (m.2. Sir William Baillie of Lamington, d. 1593), 3. 1543 Margaret Maxwell, d. 1556 Tantallon castle
· II. George- of Pittendreich Signature of Sir George Douglas of Pittendreich, Master of Angus
· III. William- d. 1528, Prior of Coldingham, Abbot of Holyroodhouse
· IV.
· V. Alison- m.1. Robert Blackadder (d.
· VI. Jean- m.1.
John, Lord Glammis, 2. Archibald Campbell of Skipnish.
Jean was indicted for poisoning her husband and was summoned to stand trial at
the Justice Ayre of Forfar 31 Jan. 1532, but the charges were dropped because
of lack of evidence. She was burnt at the stake on Castlehill in
· VII. Margaret- m. 1513 Sir James Douglas of Dumlanrig, divorced before 4 Jan. 1540
Ref:
(1) Fraser- III, 437; original at Drummond castle
(2) Ibid- 121-3; original at Douglas castle
(3) Acts Parl. Scot.- II, 216
(4) Fraser- III, 170
(5) Reg. Mag. Sig.- II, No. 2676
(6) Pitcairn- II, 34
(7) Reg. Mag. Sig.- III, No. 2962
(8) Fraser- III, 200
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.II, pp.48-53
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co.,
Edinburgh, 1880
21I. ARCHIBALD (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, ARCHIBALD 5, WILLIAM 6, GEORGE 7, WILLIAM 8, GEORGE 9, ARCHIBALD 10, GEORGE 11)
m.1. Lady Margaret Hepburn (d. 1513)
2. 6 Aug. 1514 Margaret of England,
divorced March 1525 (m.2. Sir William Baillie of Lamington,
d. 1593)
3. 1543 Margaret Maxwell
mistress- daughter of STEWART of Traquair
d. 1556
On 29 Nov. 1513 Archibald received the estates of his father and before 31 Jan. 1514 he bacame the Earl of Angus and received Tantallon and Bothwell.(1)
At his marriage to the Queen Dowager Archibald was described by Dacre the
English ambassador in
At was stated that: "his person and countenance were beautiful, his
accomplishments showy and attractive whilst his power as the head of the house
of
With Huntly,
In Nov. 1514 Queen Margaret appointed Archibald's uncle Gavin Douglas to the
Archbishopric of St. Andrews. The Prior of St. Andrews besieged Gavin in the
castle and Archibald went to his aid leaving Margaret at
In 1515 due to the Regent, Duke of Albany's efforts to obtain custody of the
Royal children and to suppress a rebellion by the English faction led by
Archibald, the Queen Mother and Lord Home, Sir Archibald and Margaret went to
England where they along with Home, Arran and their supporters plotted to
overthrow the Regent and obtain possession of the infant sovereign.
"Maist excellennt and redoutit prince it lyis not in my little
possibilite to rendir thankis unto your maist nobill hyenes, that has intendit
and procurit sa excedand wiselye this my pure (poor) causs, quhilk elikewiss is
Goddis causs, and alsua the honour and weillfare of youre deirest sister, the
Quenys grace forsaid, and, with that, richt weiray (very) acceptable till every
wele myndit personage of gude zele within this realme. Quhairfor, besyde the
rewarde of God, quhilk I doute nocht bot youre grace sall resaif for sa
meritable labour, I sall endevour and abandoune perpetually my pure service in
every behalf and sort to me possible, unto youre maist nobill excellence, abufe
all uther prince or creature levand (living), myne allegeance to oure soverane
lord, your deirest nevo, alanerlie (only) exceppit; and salbe all tymes reddy
eftir my pure power, allthoucht it war sua that youre hienes commandit me
furthwith to pas one fute to Jerusalem, and fecht with the Turkis to the dede
(to death) for youre causs."(3)
In Oct. 1519 Archibald met the queen once more and escorted her into
In 1520 the Earl of Arran with his allies met at
In 1524 he secretly went to the English court and then returned to
"Madame, In my mooste humble and lowly
maner I commende my service to your grace. It woll pleas your grace to knowe
that I have beene with the Kingis grace your brother, the whiche is oone of the
moost Cristened princis, and his grace hath entreated me so mervelous wille
that he hath addetted me, and all that woll do for me, to do his grace service
and honour, in so farre as lyeth in my poure, myne allegeaunce exceptit to the
Kingis grace my Soverane.
Madame, I am comme into this realme to do the Kingis grace, my master, and your grace, honour and service, in so ferre as lyes in my poure, and shall do the same as gladly as any other in all the realme of Scotland; beseching your grace ye wold exept it, for there is no maner of thing that may be wele to the Kingis grace my soverain, nor to your graces honour and pleassour, but I shalbe glad to fulfill the same.
Madame if there by any unfrendis that in my absence have made senestre
informacion of me unto your grace, I wold beseche your grace that ye wold stand
so good and gracious lady unto me that ye wold be contente that I may speke
with your grace, and if I have offended to your grace any maner of waye, I
shall refourme it at the sight and plessour of your seid grace; beseching your
grace that ye woll advertise me of your myende in writing, as that I shalbe
redy to fulfill the same, as knoweth God, who preserve your grace eternally.
At Boncle, the first daye of November, by the hand of
your humble servant."(5)
Early in the morning of 24 Nov. 1524 he and his forces took possession of
the capital and joined by Chancellor Bethune quickly acquired control of the
government and the young King then 14 years old. On 23 Feb. 1524/5 Parliament
was held under King James V with Archibald bearing the crown and the acts of
forfeiture against the
Sir Archibald however, failed to make a treaty with his wife and in March 1525 they were divorced. The case was tried by the Cardinal of Ancona and dragged on for three years and ended on 11 March 1528.
On 15 March 1524/5 Archibald was appointed Warden of the East and Middle Marches which pleased Henry VIII so much that he directed Dr. Magnus to give the Earl £100.
Archibald saw trouble from the Hamiltons and therefore entered into an alliance with the Earls of Lennox and Argyll for the defence of King James.(7) In the July Parliament it was decreed that Archibald should have custody of the King until 1 Nov., but he realized that if he let the King out of his keeping it was certain that he would loose his influence so he refused to let him go. The Queen assembled her followers at Linlithgow, but upon his arrival with the King her followers dispersed or gave their submission to the King.
On 15 Jan. 1525/6 Archibald ratified a treaty with
In 1526 he obtained a remission for himself and his friends for all crimes
and treasons committed by them for the past 19 years. He talked Bethune into
resigning the Great Seal and was appointed Lord Chancellor. By this time all
the offices of
"My lord, plesit your grace be rememberit how my forebearis in
all tymes bipast has bene about to foster and futhebeir gud luff, peax and rest
betwix this twa realmes and athir of the princes therof, as is notourly knawin
to all and sindry in thir partis succeding efter thame; and giff I wald presume
to be so bald or foilhardy, nocht followand the futsteppis of wysmenn past of
before, to attempt to do ocht in contrair ther wysdomys, I micht wele be reput
and haldin rycht unwyss, and, mare attour, baith unthankfull and unkynd, considering
the nerines of blud the twa princes standis in at this tyme, the greit knydnes
and humanite, speciall favoris and diverss gratitudes done to me be the Kingis
hienes of England and your grace, sa that my haill mynd and intencioune has
evir bene, sen I grew to ony perfectioune, and mekill mair sen I was constitut
in office and auctorite, and ane hevy cure laid one me, to study alwayis
possibil for the interteyning and uphalding of gud peax, amite and concord
betwix thir twa realmes, punising of trespassouris, and puttin of justice to
dew execucioune, and to do that thing mycht be acceptabill or plesand to the
Kingis hienes, your soverane, and your grace, above all erdly prince, his
derrest nephew my soverane allanerly exceptit. Bot as for the favouris of
And now the noyis is the Duk of Albanie procuris saulff-conduct and licence of the kingis hienes your soverane to return here, allegeand he has my soverane's consent therto; the contrary tharof is verray threw, as his hienes has declarit before Leonard Musgraiff, gentilmann. And I traist fermly the kingis hienes of Eingland and youre grace has providit sa surely and substantiously for the wele and indempnite of his derrest nephew, enduring his lessage (during his miinority), that ye will now continew and persevere quhen his grace is growin to consider the sammyn be perfit intelligence. And (if) I ma knaw the kingis hienes your soveranis gud mynd and your gracis in that behalff, I sall, with Goddis grace, resist the said Duk, and do his hienes mare steid and plessour with lefull service than he ma do."(9)
In July 1528 King James escaped and in the disguise of a yeoman of the guard
rode during the night from
"I wald nocht dishonour the king here sa fer as to hold his artaillie, bot convoyit the sammyn my selff quhill (until) it was furthe of danger, and sufferit the maister of artaillie to pas, and prayit him to commend my lauly service unto my soverane, and to schew his grace that I have bene trew servand and subject to the sammyn, and that I gave his grace na wyte of ocht that was done to me, bot to the evill avisit personis about his grace nocht worthy therto, and had done sic dishonour to him at this tyme thai mycht nevir amend it."(11)
On this occasion the King declared that while he lived no Douglas should
find a resting place in
Sir Archibald took refuge in
In Oct. 1541 Queen Margaret died at Methven. On her deathbed she repented her treatment of Archibald and asked her confessors:
"that thay shold seek on thar knees befor the kyng, and to beseche hem that he wold be good and grachous unto the Erell of Anguyshe, and dyd extremly lament and aske God marcy that she had afendet unto the sayd Erell as she hade."(13)
Sir Walter Scott in "Lady of the
"Why is it at each turn I trace
Some memory of that exiled race?
Can I not mountain maiden spy,
But she must bear the
Can I not view a Highland brand,
But it must match the
Can I not frame a fevered dream,
But still the
In Aug. 1542 Archibald and Sir Robert Bower were defeated by the Earl of Huntly at Hadden Rig.
After King James' death in Dec. 1542 Archibald returned to Scotland and on 16 Jan. 1542/3 his attainder was repealed and the Regent delivered the sceptre and baton to Archibald in token of his restoration.(14) He was then made a Privy Councillor in 1543 and remained a supporter of the English alliance, supporting the union of the crowns by the marriage of the infant Mary, Queen of Scots and future Edward VI. He was still receiving money from Henry VIII when the Regent Arran took sides with Cardinal Beaton and the French interest and Archibald went to Tantallon castle along with the English Ambassador Sadleys.
King Francis sent 10,000 gold crowns and 50 pieces of artillery to his good
friend the Earl of Lennox at Dunbarton who had changed sides after his marriage
to Margaret Douglas unknown to the French king. With this new influx of arms
and money Archibald, Lennox, Cassillis and Kilmaurs with 4,000 men captured
In June 1544 things took a curious turn, a number of the nobility signed an agreement to support the Queen Mother as Regent and Archibald was appointed Lieutenant General of the Kingdom. Archibald and George still supported the English interests as stated in the following letter from George to Sir Ralph Eure, Commander of Berwick:
"I heif cawsit my broder the Erle of Anguse to delayver his commissioun off liutenentrie in afore the Guvernour and Conselle, making mensioun tht the promisses that vas made to him vas nocht kepit. Thay cowld feinde no man to exceppe the office. Thay requayrit off me qhow this contray sowld be diffendit, and I saide the Guvernour sowld diffende it, for it vas his office, and he hade bothe the proffit and the plesour, and vas ane luste yung man, and meit to be exersit in varefare, and my broder sowld be redde to serve the Queynis auchtorite, siklayk as uder nowbille men off the realme didde. The Guvernour vald nocht discharge him off his office, nocht the less I sal cawse him to use him selfe in sik ane sorte that ye sal heif no cawse to complene off our kayndnes, the King staning gud and grasuis prense to use and our freindes."(15)
Henry VIII however no longer trusted the Douglases and offered 2,000 crowns
for Archibald's head and 1,000 for his brother's and handed over many of the
In 1545 Archibald fought against the English at the battle of Ancrum Moor.
He had no use for the English at this point as his lands had been ravaged by
them and because they had defaced the tombs of his ancestors at Melrose Abbey.
Just as the battle was to begin a heron disturbed by the troops sprung from a
nearby marsh and soared over head. "Oh", said Sir Archibald,
"that I had here my white goss-hawk, we should then all yoke at
once". The Regent Arran complimented Sir Archibald and his brother Sir
George for their distinguished conduct during the battle saying in the presence
of the Army that their actions had completely removed all suspicions of their
favouring the English. Archibald received from King Francis "the
Cockle" of the Order of
"What, is our brother-in-law offended because, like a good Scotsman, I have avenged upon Ralph Eure the defaced tombs of my ancestors? They were better men than he, and I ought to have done no less and will he take my life for that? Little knows King Henry the skirts of Kernetable; I can keep myself there against all his English host."
Archibald and George approved a new alliance with
"Right woorshipfull, after most hartly commendacioun. Ye shall understand, that we have commoned togither and is determyned all in oone of unyon to serve the Kynges majeste (Henry) at thuttermost of our powers in the setting forwardes of the peax and mariage, whiche we knowe surelie standes with the pleasure of God, the Kynges majestes contentacioun, the common weale and quyetnes of bothe realmes. Therfor we thinke for our opinion, if it standes with the Kinges majesties pleasure, that his grace shulde haselie prepare his substancious armyes in this tyme of harvest, bothe at th'est and west bordres, provided to remayne a good tyme; for without long remayning there can no highe purpose be made to the Kynges majestes pleasure. Therfore looke well on that poynte, and when the Kynges armyes cummes in this realme, ye must set forward your proclamacions declaring howe that your purpose is not to hurte this realme, nor no subject that is in it that well assist to the sure perfourmyng of the peax and marriage... Further, as to this last journey of ours (the expedition of the army mustered on 28 July), it was devised by the Quene, Cardinall and this Frenche capitayne Lorge Mangummary. Huntley fortefyed this armye at his power, notwithstonding- at short- all that they devised was stopped by us, that are the Kynges freendes. Their hole intent was to have besieged the Kynges howses, unto the tyme they had gotten bargayn; but all was stopped, whereof they stoode nothing content. This capitain Lorge will not remayne on our bordres; wherefore the people thinkes it a sure argument that he is not comme into this countrey for our weales, but onelie to put forwardes the pleasure of Fraunce, and to cause us to make battel togithers."(17)
This may not be as treasonous as it first appears as Buccleuch held a licence from Arran and Queen Mary to appear to be an agent for the English, but in reality an agent for Scotland.(18) It cannot be ignored that they may have still actually been in the English service as the two of them persuaded Arran to disband the army permitting Henry VIII to wreck havok throughout the country and they may have been involved in the murder of Cardinal Beaton in May 1546. Archibald and George did however take part in passing the Act of Parliament which annulled the marriage contract with the English and renounced all bonds they had entered into with the King of England.
Monument
at the site of the Battle of Pinkie
At the battle of Pinkie 10 Sept. 1547 he commanded the Scottish Army. The
Regent Arran ordered Archibald to attack, but the earl refused on tactical
grounds and
In 1554
"My lord", said the constable, "this is an order to which I am little used. Have you your warrant?"
Angus handed the order over to the constable who replied: "But my lord I am here directed to receive you with but three or four to serve you."
"Just what I told my lads" replied Archibald, "but they said they durst not and would not go home to my wife Meg without me."
The constable declined to receive the prisoner in that fashion and the earl
then stated that he had complied with the Queen's command and had been refused
admission. On his way home Archibald remarked that: "I tell thee these
In 1556 Archibald suffered from St. Anthony's fire (ergotism) and died at Tantallon castle in Jan. 1556/7 and was buried at Abernethy.
Issue- first three children by his mistress, a daughter of Stewart of Traquair, fourth child by Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots, last child by Margaret Maxwell.
· I. Elizabeth- letter of legitimation procured 2 Mar. 1526
· 22II. JANET- m. PATRICK RUTHVEN
· III. George- d. 1598/9, letter of legitimation procured 14 Mar. 1543. George was one of Rizzio's assassins, Abbot of Arbroath, and Bishop of Moray.
· IV. Margaret-
m. July 1544,
· V. James- d.s.p. before 1556
Ref:
(1) Fraser- II, 177-8; III, 213; Original at Douglas
(2) Letters and Papers- III, No.166
(3) Fraser- IV, 75; original in British Museum
(4) Letters and Papers- III, No.467,481,482
(5) Fraser- IV, 90
(6) Letters and Papers- IV, No.1111,1446
(7) Fraser- III, 222
(8) Foedera- XIV, 114,122
(9) Fraser- IV, 122; original in British Museum
(10) Godscroft's Manuscript
(11) Fraser- IV, 137
(12) Ibid- 139; original in British Museum
(13) State Papers- Henry VIII, v.194
(14) Ibid- v.238,239,585; Acts of Parl. Scot.- II, 415
(15) Fraser- IV, 154
(16) Hamilton Papers- II, 538
(17) Fraser- IV, 160
(18) The Scotts of Buccleuch- Wm. Fraser, I, 110
(19) Godscroft's MS- quoted by Fraser, II, 278 note
(20) Fraser- IV, 171
(21) Godscroft's MS- quoted by Fraser, II, 283
"History of the House of Douglas"- Vol.II, pp.64-127
"The Scottish Nation"- William Anderson, A. Fullarton & Co., Edinburgh,
1880
23II. ANDREW (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2)
There is no proof that he was the son of Archibald of Douglas but this relationship is assumed because Andrew was in possession of the lands of Hermiston in Midlothian and Livingston in West Lothian which had been granted to Archibald before 1226 from Malcolm, Earl of Fife.(1) Andrew is called brother of William Douglas in a charter from Ralph Noble to David of Graham in 1245.(2) He and William were witnesses to a charter in 1248 to the monks of Dunfermline.(3) Andrew was present at the marriage contract of his nephew Hugh Douglas with Marjorie Abernethy in 1259.(4)
Issue-
· II. Freskin-
Ref:
(1) Registrum Honoris de Morton- I, XXXIII, XXXIV
(2) Red Book of Menteith- II, 209-11
(3) Reg. do Dunfermelyn- 97
(4) The Douglas Book- III, 2
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, pp.337-8
24I. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3)
William was confirmed in the lands of Hermiston in 1277 by Alexander III.(1) He appears on the homage roll at Berwick 28 Aug. 1296.(2)
Issue-
· 25I. JAMES- m. JOAN ______ (alive in 1337), d. before 20 Apr. 1323
· II. Andrew-
Ref:
(1) Reg. Honor de Morton- II, 8
(2)
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, p.338
25I. JAMES (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4)
m. JOAN ______ (alive in 1337)
d. before 20 Apr. 1323
On 2 Apr. 1315 James received from King Robert the Bruce a grant of the lands of Kincavil and Caldor Clere (East Calder) in Linlithgowshire at a rental of £12/5/10 and later in 1317 with an annual rent of ten marks payable to Reginald Crawford a servant of the King for the service of an archer in the royal army.(1)
Joan was alive in 1337 when she was drawing her terce from the lands of Blackness.(2)
Issue- first four children by Joan
· I. William- m.
· 26II. JOHN- m. AGNES ______ (m.1. John Munfode), d. between 1346 and 1350
· III. James- killed Aug. 1335
· IV.
· V. William- "the Elder"
Ref:
(1) Reg. Honor de Norton- II, 11; Reg. Mag. Sig.- I, No.59
(2) Cal. Doc. Scot.- III, No.389
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, p.338-44
26II. JOHN (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5)
m. AGNES ______ (m.1. John Munfode)
killed between 1346 and 1350
John is said to have defended Lochleven castle against the English. He was killed by David Barclay sometime between 1346 and 1350.
Issue-
· I. James- Lord of Dalkeith, m. int. Oct. 1378 Egidia Stewart (m.1. Sir James Lindsay of Crawford, 2. after Oct. 1357 Sir Hugh of Eglinton)
· II. William- alive 1 June 1406
· III. John- m. Mariota Chene (m.2. John Keith), d. before 26 May 1366
· 27IV. HENRY- m. before 19 May 1384 MARGERY STEWART (m.1. Roger Magven of that ilk, 2. Alexander Lindsay of Glenesk), d. before 1393
· V. Thomas- ?m. Margaret Creswell, d. before 1 June 1406
· VI. Nicholas- m. Janet Galbraith of Gartconnell, d. before 1 June 1406
· VII. Ellen-
· VIII. Margaret-
· IX.
Ref:
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, p.342-4
27IV. HENRY (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, JOHN 6)
m. before 19 May 1384 MARGERY STEWART, daughter of John of Relston, brother of Robert
II, (m.1. Roger Magven of that ilk, 2. Alexander
Lindsay of Glenesk)
d. before 1393
On 20 Sept. 1369 Henry had a charter from David II of one third of Lugtoun.(1) He had a safe conduct 16 May 1374 to visit Canterbury.(2) On 3 Jan. 1383/4 he had a charter to certain annual rents in Peebleshire.(3) He had a precept and confirmation of the lands of Halkeiton and Esperton held by Ballentrodach kirk in 1388.(4) He was sent to England by Robert II to receive the oath of Richard II regarding the treaty with France 18 June 1389. He had three charters from the king one on 18 Mar. 1389/0 to the barony of Lugtoun, Lochleven castle and land in Kinross and the lands of Langnewton, Roxburghshire.(5)
Issue-
· 28I. WILLIAM- m. ELIZABETH LINDSAY, d. 1421
· II. Henry-
· III. Margaret- m. Sir John Wallace of Craigie
· IV. Elene- m. John Fairlie of Braid
Ref:
(1) Reg. Mag. Sig.- folio Vol. 168
(2) Foedera- VII, 37
(3) Reg. Mag. Sig.- fol. Vol. 167
(4) Harl. MS- No.6439
(5) Ibid- No.1741, 4-5-6
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, p.364-5
28I. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, JOHN 6, HENRY 7)
m. ELIZABETH LINDSAY
d. 1421
William succeeded his father 20 Dec. 1409 and acquired the lands of Ralstoun upon the resignation of these lands by Walter Stewart his uncle in 1416.(1) These lands he later gave to his son James.
He had a dispensation by Henry, Bishop of St. Andrews for his marriage with Elizabeth Lindsay of Brechin as they were in the third and fourth degrees of consanguinity.(3)
William accompanied the Earls of Buchan and Wigtown to
Issue-
· 29I. HENRY- m. ELIZABETH ERSKINE
· II. James- m. Jonet Fenton of Baky
· III. Alexander-
· IV.
Ref:
(1) Exch. Rolls- IV, p.CXC
(2) Wemyss Book- 47
(3) Harl. MS- No. 6438
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, p.365-6
29I. HENRY (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, JOHN 6, HENRY 7, WILLIAM 8)
m. ELIZABETH, daughter of Robert ERSKINE
Henry witnessed a charter to Robert Conynghame of Kilmaurs 30 June 1425.(1) He was one of the hostages for James I and went to England as a substitute for Norman Leslie.(2) He was released 20 June 1432 and was knighted before 24 Jan. 1440/1 when he witnessed a charter to the Earl of Mar. (3) He and Elizabeth had a a charter to the lands of Keillor, Perthshire 7 July 1464.(4) He witnessed a charter to Alexander Leslie of Balcomie 30 Jan. 1468/9.(5)
Issue-
· 30I.
ROBERT- m.1. ELIZABETH
BOSWELL, 2. after 1476 Isobel Sibbald, 3. before 1503 Marion Baillie, d.
· II. David-
· III. Thomas-
Ref:
(1) Reg. Mag. Sig.- 28 Oct. 1425
(2) Foedera- X, 381, 509
(3) Reg. Mag. Sig.- 30 Oct. 1444
(4) Reg. Mag. Sig.
(5) Ibid-
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, p.366-7
30I. ROBERT (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, JOHN 6, HENRY 7, WILLIAM 8, HENRY 9)
m.1. ELIZABETH, daughter of David BOSWELL
of Balmuto
2. after 1476 Isobel, daughter of John Sibbald of
Balgony (m.1. George Douglas, Earl of Angus, 2. John
Carmichael of Baladie, d. between 1500 and Feb. 1502/3)
3. before 1503 Marion, daughter of William
Baillie of Lamington (m.1. John, Lord Lindsay of the Byres)
d. 9 Sept. 1513
Robert had a charter to the lands and barony of Kinross and Lochleven castle 16 Oct. 1463.(1) On 2 July 1495 he had a charter of half the lands of Dalqueich, Kinross and the rest from John Peebles 19 June 1497.(2) He was knighted before 14 Mar. 1503/4 when he witnessed a charter.(3)
Issue-
· 31I. ROBERT- m.1. MARGARET BALFOUR, 2. Jan. 1499/0 Margaret Hay (m.2. Alexander Fraser, 3. Sir Gilbert Keith)
· II. Agnes- m. Thomas Hamilton of Raploch
· III. Margaret- m.1. 1484 Sir David Stewart of Rosyth, 2. Henry Mercer of Meiklour
Ref:
(1) Reg. Mag. Sig. (2) Ibid- 28 June 1498 (3) Ibid-
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, p.367-8
31I. ROBERT (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, JOHN 6, HENRY 7, WILLIAM 8, HENRY 9, ROBERT 10)
m.1. MARGARET, daughter of David BALFOUR
of Burleigh
2. Jan. 1499/0 Margaret Hay, daughter of William, Earl of
Errol (m.1. Alexander Fraser of Philorth, 2. before 1526 Sir Gilbert Keith of Inverugie)
Robert was served heir to his father 15 & 20 Oct. 1514.(1) On 4 Feb. 1519/0 he sold to Henry Balfour, rector of Loncardy the Eastertown of Tilliochy in Kinross.(2) On 15 Oct. 1517 he granted the friars of St. Andrews an annual rent of twenty marks from his lands of Keillor and on 10 June 1519 another of five marks from Bordland.(3)
Issue-
· 32I. THOMAS- m. ELIZABETH BOYD
· II. Henry-
· III. Margaret- m. before 12 Aug. 1516 Henry Stewart of Rosyth
· IV. Robert- m. Janet Ramsay
· V. Richard- macer of the Court of Session
Ref:
(1) Harl. MS- No. 6435
(2) Reg. Mag. Sig.
(3) Ibid- 15 May 1522
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, p.368
32I. THOMAS (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, JOHN 6, HENRY 7, WILLIAM 8, HENRY 9, ROBERT 10, ROBERT 11)
m. ELIZABETH, daughter of Archibald BOYD of Nariston
Thomas witnessed his father's charter of 15 Oct. 1517 and died before his father.
Issue-
· 33I. ROBERT- m. MARGARET ERSKINE, killed 10 Sept. 1547
· II. John- parson of Newlands
· III. Henry-
· IV. Margaret- m. William Melville of Raith (d.c.1547), alive May 1584
· V.
· VI.
Ref:
"The Scots Peerage"- Vol.VI, pp.368-9
33I. ROBERT (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, JOHN 6, HENRY 7, WILLIAM 8, HENRY 9, ROBERT 10, ROBERT 11, ROBERT 12)
m. MARGARET, daughter of John, Lord ERSKINE
(mistress of James V, mother of Regent Moray, d. 5 May 1572)
killed at battle of Pinkie 10 Sept. 1547
In 1536 King James seriously entertained the thought of forcing Margaret to obtain a divorce from Robert in order to make her his queen and wrote a letter to the Pope concerning this.(1) If this had occured Margaret's son by the King would probably have been legitimized and succeeded as James VI.
On 20 Feb. 1539/0 Robert had a Royal charter to the lands of Fossoway in Perth.(2) On 17 Oct. 1540 he had a charter of the Lordship of Dalkeith and other lands upon the resignation of James Douglas, Earl of Morton. James V had coerced James to resign his earldom and lands in favor of Robert under threat of imprisonment in Inverness if he did not comply.(3) No reason was given in the King's letter to his treasurer on 18 Oct. notifying him of the transfer, but possibly it was because Morton was a cripple and had no sons. The real reason appeared on 20 Jan. 1541 when Robert was forced to resign the Earldom of Morton and the Lordship of Dalkeith into the King's hands under threat of death and of losing his estate of Lochleven.(4) This resignation however the Court of Session thought to be a forced one so in 1542 they reduced the charter making some compromising reflections on James V and returned the Earldom to James Douglas.(5)
On 20 Jan. 1540/1 Robert had a Royal Charter to himself in liferent and to his son William in fee of the lands and barony of Kinross with the castle and loch of Lochleven, the burgh of Kinross being made a barony and the lands and baronies of Keillour, Lugtoun and Langnewton.(6) On 27 March 1546 he and his wife had a charter from John Charteris of Cuthilgurdy to the lands of Cuthilgurdy.(7)
Issue-
· 34I. WILLIAM- b. 1539/0, m.c.1565 AGNES LESLIE, d. 27 Sept. 1606
· II. Robert- Earl of Buchan
· III. George- m.1. after 1575 Jonet Lindsay of Dowhill, (m.1. Andrew Lundie of Balgony, 2. William Scott of Balwearie), 2. after 1593 Margaret Duris (m.1. William Scott of Abbotshall)
· IV. Euphemia- m. Patrick, Lord Lindsay of the Byres, d. June 1580
· 35V. JANET- m. JAMES COLVILLE of Carter Wemyss
· VI. Catherine- m. David Durie of Durie
Ref:
(1) Letters and Papers- X, No. 1229
(2) Reg. Mag. Sig.
(3) Morton- II, 260-9, 289-90
(4) Ibid- 281-93
(5) Burnett MS; Reg. Honor. de Morton- II, 281-93; Reg. Mag. Sig.
30 May 1542 & 2 June 1564
(6) Reg. Mag. Sig.
(7) Ibid-
"History of the House of
"The Scotts Peerage"- VI, 369-70
34I. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, ANDREW 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5, JOHN 6, HENRY 7, WILLIAM 8, HENRY 9, ROBERT 10, ROBERT 11, ROBERT 12, ROBERT 13)
b. 1539/0
m.c.1565 AGNES LESLIE, daughter of George, Earl of Rothes
d. 27 Sept. 1606
William succeeded to the Lochleven estates at his father's death at the battle of Pinkie in 1547. After Queen Mary's marriage to Darnley, William was commanded on 7 Nov. 1565 to deliver Lochleven Castle to the Queen's officers with all the artillery and munitions, but because William was "extremelie sick, in perrell of his lyffe" he was allowed to keep the castle with the understanding that it may be taken over on 24 hours notice.(1) William's malady must have been short lived as he was involved in Riccio's assassination on 9 March 1566 and was formally charged for murder on 9 March 1566.(2)
On 16 June 1567 he received a warrant for the detention of the Queen's person to Lochleven castle:
"Patrik Lord Lindsay of the Byris, William Lord Ruthven and William Douglas of Lochlevin topas and convoy hir Majestie to the said place of Lochlevin and the said lard to ressave hir thairin, and thair thay and every ane of thame to keip hir Majestie suirlie within the said place, and on na wyse to suffer hir pas furth of the same... as thai will ansuer to God and upon thair dewitie to the commounweill of this cuntrie."(3)
Mary was accompanied by Mary Seton, Marie Courcelles and Jane Kennedy. Upon hearing that the Queen had abdicated William signed a document on 28 July 1567 stating that the abdication was concluded without his knowledge, that he had taken no part in compelling her to abdicate and that upon hearing of it he offered to escort the Queen to Stirling so she could declare her own will. The Queen declined the Laird's offer saying that: "for the present sche culd nocht be prepairit to pas thair, bot desirit the said William that sche micht remane in his place and use hir self at hir eas and quietnes as sche has done heir to fore."(4)
Mary did not remain there long as Marie Courcelles had laid all the plans for an escape with the help of George Douglas and Willie Douglas the foundling. On Sunday 2 May 1568 Willie, while waiting on the family at supper, was able to throw a napkin over the castle keys and took them to Marie Courcelles who brought the Queen to the postern gate where a boat was waiting for them with an escort. William avoided suspicion in the affair due to the influence of his powerfull relative Morton. He commanded part of the Regent's army at Lanside on 12 May and was valuable in reinforcing the right wing of the force at a critical moment.(5)
Mary,
Queen of Scots
After Mary's escape the Laird was active in the King's party and accompanied
Moray, Morton and Lethington to
William had a charter to Pharington in Roxburgh 23 Oct. 1574 and subscribed a bond of manrent to the Earl of Mar 3 May 1578.(8)
Lochleven castle became a state prison and after his capture the Earl of Northumberland, leader of the Catholic uprising in Northern England was placed there under the keeping of the Laird who had the power to make whatever terms he chose with the English for his release.(9) William encouraged the countess to bid up the Earl's ransom to 10,000 crowns (£2,000) and instead of sending the earl back to his wife he sold him to Sir John Foster for the same amount who took him to York where he was beheaded.(10)
William was a close associate of the Earl of Morton and when he was driven from power in 1578 he sought refuge at Lochleven.
On 20 Sept. 1580 the King granted to William all the lands of his deceased
brother Robert Douglas, Earl of Buchan and was appointed sheriff and coroner of
After Morton's arrest the Laird was ordered to go beyond Cromarty Firth 30 March 1581 and to stay there under a penalty of £10,000 with James Colville of Easter Wemyss and George Douglas of Rungarvie as sureties.(12) William was not in much disfavor as the King wrote to him the following day:
"Traist freind, We greit yow weill. Giff we had bene present with our counsale quhen your bill wes red We sould have insistit to have had sumqyhat of your desire aggreit unto. Alwyis seing it is thocht gude be the Lordis that ye first enter in your ward conforme to thair formar ordinance quhilk we of our self may not with ressoun alter, ye sall thairfoir satisfie thair desire... We commit Zou to God."(13)
In the management of the Buchan estates William seems to have exceeded the rights of a landlord and the King wrote him the following:
"Forsamekill as We as informit be oure louittis servitouris Archibald Broky in Downe and Thomas Broky his sone in the Baddis that ye, upoun the gift of the waird gevin be ws to you of the Erledome of Buchan have causit warne thame to remove frome thair rowmes and possessionis quhairin thay have remanit kyndlie and native tennentis thir mony and divers yeiris bygane committing na cryme nor offence aganis thair maisteris in tymes past nather yit to you sen your entrie to the erledome of Buchan paying alsua thair dewitie and service according to thair assedationis: Thairfoir seing the sed gift wes nocht gevin to the wrak of the saidis puir tennentis We will you that ye upoun your rycht set thame thair rowmes and possessionis for payment of thair dewitie contenit in thair auld rentall and quhilk thay payit to umquhile Robert Dowglas last Erle of Buchane and that ye remove thame nocht fra thair kyndlie possessionis and rowmes as ye will We did yow kyndnes and plesure in tymes cuming."(14)
William's son Robert took part in the Raid of Ruthven on 22 Aug. 1582 and William signed the bond of the confederates on 30 Aug. for the establishment of the "trew religioune and reform of justice".(15)
When King James gave the Earl of Mar the slip in June 1583 and James Stuart, Earl of Arran returned to power William was forfeited.(16) He was imprisoned in Inverness castle until 8 Dec. and after paying the huge amount of £20,000 the forfeiture was repealed on condition that he leave Britain within 30 days.(17) He went to La Rochelle where he and the other confederates plotted the re-establishment of the Protestant regime which occured in Oct. 1585. On 5 Jan. 1586/7 he had a charter of confirmation as heir of his father from Cardinal Beaton in gratitude for the defence of the Church against the Lutheran heresy to the lands of Kinnesswood and others 25 June 1544 and another by Sir Michael Donaldson, Prior of St. Serf's to the lands of Kirkness 9 Oct. 1544.(18)
In 1588 William succeeded to the Earldom of Morton and on 20 June 1589 he
had a charter to the Earldom and the
On 22 July 1594 he had a lease of the lands of Tulloes and others in Forfar which belonged to the monastery of Arbroath.(20) On 23 Jan. 1606 he had a Royal Charter to the lands of Colquhair and others in Annandale.(21)
Issue-
· I. Robert- m. Jean Lyon (m.2. Earl of Angus, 3. before Apr. 1593 Alexander Lindsay), drowned 1584
· II. James- m.1. 1587 Mary Kerr of Fernihurst, 2. 1598 Helen Scott of Abbotshall, 3. 1609 Jean Anstruther of that ilk, d. before 15 Oct.1620
· III. Archibald- m. Barbara Forbes (m.1. Robert Allandyce, 2. Alexander Hay of Delgatie), d. 1649 Orkney
· IV. George- m. 1597 Margaret Forrester of Strathendry, d. before 9 Dec. 1609
· V. Margaret- m. 1574 Sir John Wemyss of that ilk, d. before 1581
· VI. Christian- m.1. 1576 Laurence, Master of Oliphant, 2. 9 Jan. 1586 Alexander, Earl of Home, d. between 1591 and 1607
· VII. Mary- m. 1582 Walter, Lord Ogilvie of Deskford
· VIII. Euphema- m. 1586 Sir Thomas Lyon of Baldukie, Lord High Treasurer
· IX. Agnes- m. 24 July 1592 Archibald, Earl of Argyll, d. 3 May 1607
· 36X.
· XI. Jean- d.s.p.
Ref:
(1) Reg. Privy Council- I, 390,396
(2) P.C. Reg.- I, 436
(3) Morton- I, 24
(4) Ibid- 27
(5) "Memoirs"- Melville, 202
(6) Morton- I, 53
(7) Ibid- 60
(8) P.C. Reg.- II, 691; Reg. Mag. Sig.
(9) Morton- I, 75
(10) Historical Manuscripts Commission- Hatfield MSS, I part 2,
p.7
(11) Morton- I, 124; P.C. Reg.- III, 312, 705
(12) Morton- I, 127
(13) Ibid-
(14) Ibid- 129
(15) P.C. Reg.- III, 507
(16) Morton- I, 141
(17) Reg. Privy Council- III, 613, 615, 620, 652
(18) Reg. Mag. Sig.-
(19) P.C. Reg.- V, 175, 179
(20) Reg. Mag. Sig.-
(21) Ibid-
"History of the House of
"The Scotts Peerage"- VI, 370 ff.
38III. WILLIAM (WILLIAM 1, ARCHIBALD 2, WILLIAM 3, WILLIAM 4, JAMES 5)
b.c.1305
mistress ?MARGARET DUNBAR
killed battle of Halidon Hill 19 July 1333
William was the Laird of Douglas, however, never married. His daughter Margaret being illegitimate. Issue-
· 39I. MARGARET- m. ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY, Laird of Eaglesham