The Douglas
Clan--Short History
The Douglas's were
one of Scotland's 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 Douglas 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 Douglas' 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 Douglas's 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 Sterling 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 Douglas's 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
Rizzo and implicated in the assassination of Lord
Darnley. He was executed in 1581.
William, 11th Earl of
Angus and 1st Marquees of
Douglas
lived at Douglas Castle and were a supporter
of Charles I during the civil wars.
