Douglas of Mains
Encyclopedia
The Douglases of Mains are a branch of the Clan Douglas
, related to the Lords of Douglas
through Archibald I, Lord of Douglas
. The first Laird obtained land through marriage into the Galbraith family, which had been granted land in New Kilpatrick
by Maldowen
, Earl of Lennox
. The family produced minor nobles in the Scottish court, perhaps the most notable of which was Malcolm Douglas, the 8th Laird, executed for treason in Edinburgh for conspiracy in the Raid of Ruthven
. His second son, Robert Douglas, was made Viscount of Belhaven
and is buried in Holyrood Abbey. The family intermarried in the Glasgow
area, having links with the Campbells of Blythswood
, with landed families across Scotland (including the Duke of Douglas
) and more latterly the United Kingdom. The title became extinct in the 20th century; the last 33.5 acres (135,569.8 m²) of the estate (including the house) was sold to Dunbartonshire
county and was subsequently used for the building of Douglas Academy
in Milngavie prior to the death of the last heir (Lt-Col Archibald Vivian Campbell Douglas) in 1977.
through Archibald I, Lord of Douglas
(1198–1238), whose first son was William Longleg, Lord of Douglas
and whose second son was Andrew Douglas of Hermiston. The title Laird of Mains was created in 1373, when Nicholas Douglas, son of the fourth Lord of Hermiston married Janet Galbraith, from whom he obtained the lands of Mains. However it was not until 1672 that the 11th Laird registered the coat of arms with the Lord Lyon King of Arms
. Tracing the ownership of the title becomes increasingly difficult from the beginning of the 18th century, as the title became junior to the Campbells of Blythswood, with both titles being held by the same family, but never by the same individual. The title become extinct (in 1928) when the last heir (Archibald Vivian Campbell Douglas) was granted a disposition to break the hereditary ownership of the estate (and therefore enabling him to sell it). Archibald VC Douglas was subsequently father to two daughters and died at his house (called Laraich) 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Aberfoyle
on 28 October 1977.
(it should be noted that the numbering in source texts is inconsistent; some apparent titleholders appear to have been numerically skipped)
in 1672 and are as follows:
The arms have a crest of an oak tree, and the motto of the family is Quae Serrata Secura
The arms are based on those of the Earl of Douglas
, which at the time the Mains branch was established, had three stars, but an uncrowned heart. The addition of a fess chequy represented the Lennox land (inherited through the Galbraiths) that formed the estate. The fess of the Stewart Earls of Lennox arms was a silver and blue check, but the Mains family changed the check colour to red (an old Lennox colour).
, to Maurice Galbraith. The Galbraiths
were a great family in the shires of Stirling and Dumbarton, and in 1296 "Arthur de Galbrait" was one of the principal Barons of the nation who swore fealty to King Edward I. One of their chief residences was at the Castle of Craigmaddie, in this neighbourhood. The family line ended near the close of the fourteenth century in three heiresses, one of whom (Janet) married Nicolas Douglas, son of Sir John Douglas in September 1373, who became the first Laird of Mains. The estate remained largely unchanged until the annexation of neighbouring Balvie (also once a part of the Galbraith lands) in the 19th century. In 1884, the estate comprised 1581 acres (6.4 km²), with an income estimated at £2226 per annum.
When John Campbell Douglas acquired Balvie, he made the house there the mansion-house of the family, changing its name to Mains, and extended it. He married Helen, daughter of Archibald Bogle of Calderbank, and had at least one son, Archibald Campbell Douglas.
(then regent
for his grandson James VI), Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill
, Matthew Douglas of Mains and John Cunningham of Drumquhassle (proprietor of Killermont) retook Dumbarton Castle
from John Fleming on 2 April 1571. An Act of Parliament was passed on 28 August 1571 in favour of "Johnne Cuningham of Drumquhassel, Matho Dowglas of Manys, Captain Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill, and others takeris of the Castell of Dumbartane," discharging them of any criminal or civil liabilities incurred in the recapture of the castle.
by nobles in the king's court and to influence the Scottish monarchy. In August 1582 he along with the Earl of Gowrie
, The Earl of Angus, et al, participated in the Raid of Ruthven
. They captured King James VI and held him prisoner in what is now known as Huntingtower Castle
, Stirlingshire. The King escaped and the Ruthven Raiders were subsequently tried for kidnapping and treason.
Douglas of Mains and others including John Cunningham of Drumquhassle (a member of his wife's family) were brought before an assize, on 6 February 1584, for conspiring in the Raid of Ruthven. Robert Hamilton of Inchmachane (or Ecclesmechan) appears to have come forward as a witness against them. Douglas and Cunningham were both found guilty and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered
at the Market Cross, in Edinburgh
. They were publicly executed the same day.
The story has been romanticised over time by many authors, including Sir Walter Scott, with Malcolm Douglas being described as a "gentleman of considerable property, and universally respected" and (by his enemies) "dreaded on account of his courage and independence of spirit". The key witness against him (Robert Hamilton) has been accused of being motivated by financial reward, while the evidence given by him was considered to be false. The second witness (James Edmonston of Duntraith) was allegedly put on a false charge to make him corroborate the evidence in exchange for a pardon.
, upon whose death he was appointed one of the Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to King James VI & I
, and continued in the same office to King Charles I
. He was afterwards Master of the Household and a member of the Privy Council, and in 1633 he was by patent created Viscount Belhaven, in the Peerage of Scotland. As he died childless in January 1639, the Viscontancy of Belhaven became extinct on his death. He was buried in Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh where his monument remains today.
(part of the Red Douglas family, and a distant relation). Margaret and Archibald married late in life, did not have children, and the title of Duke of Douglas became extinct on Archibald's death. The estates of Douglas became the subject of a legal battle (known as the Douglas Cause) between Archibald Steuart (the Duke of Douglas' nephew) and the Duke of Hamilton, who inherited the remaining titles of Douglas. Margaret supported Archibald, who was granted the estates after appeal to the House of Lords
.
In her will, she left money to purchase lands to be called Douglas-Support.
Clan Douglas
Clan Douglas is an ancient Scottish kindred from the Scottish Lowlands taking its name from Douglas, South Lanarkshire, and thence spreading through the Scottish Borderland, Angus, Lothian and beyond. The clan does not currently have a chief, therefore it is considered an armigerous clan.The...
, related to the Lords of Douglas
Earl of Douglas
This page is concerned with the holders of the extinct title Earl of Douglas and the preceding feudal barons of Douglas, South Lanarkshire. The title was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1358 for William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, son of Sir Archibald Douglas, Guardian of Scotland...
through Archibald I, Lord of Douglas
Archibald I, Lord of Douglas
Archibald of Douglas was a Scottish Nobleman. He was the son of William of Douglas.The earliest attestation of his existence is in a charter of confirmation dated prior to 1198. This charter of Jocelin, Bishop of Glasgow, granted the rights of a toft in Glasgow to Melrose Abbey...
. The first Laird obtained land through marriage into the Galbraith family, which had been granted land in New Kilpatrick
New Kilpatrick
New Kilpatrick, is an ecclesiastical Parish and former Civil Parish in Dunbartonshire. It was formed in 1649 from the eastern half of the parish of Kilpatrick , the western half forming Old Kilpatrick...
by Maldowen
Maol Domhnaich, Earl of Lennox
Mormaer Maol Domhnaich was the son of Mormaer Ailín II, and ruled Lennox 1217–1250.Like his predecessor Ailín II, he showed absolutely no interest in extending an inviting hand to oncoming French or English settlers...
, Earl of Lennox
Earl of Lennox
The Mormaer of Lennox or Earl of Lennox was the ruler of the long-lasting provincial Mormaerdom/Earldom of Lennox in the Medieval Kingdom of the Scots. The first Mormaer is usually regarded as Ailin I , but the genealogy of the Mormaers gives earlier names...
. The family produced minor nobles in the Scottish court, perhaps the most notable of which was Malcolm Douglas, the 8th Laird, executed for treason in Edinburgh for conspiracy in the Raid of Ruthven
Raid of Ruthven
The Raid of Ruthven was a political conspiracy in Scotland which took place on 22 August 1582. It was composed of several Presbyterian nobles, led by William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, who abducted King James VI of Scotland. He was seized while staying at the castle of Ruthven , and kept under...
. His second son, Robert Douglas, was made Viscount of Belhaven
Viscount of Belhaven
Viscount of Belhaven, in the County of Haddington, was a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created on 24 June 1633 for Sir Robert Douglas, Master of the Household to Charles I. He had no sons and the title became extinct on his death in 1639....
and is buried in Holyrood Abbey. The family intermarried in the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
area, having links with the Campbells of Blythswood
Baron Blythswood
Baron Blythswood, in the County of Renfrew, was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 24 August 1892 for Sir Archibald Campbell, 1st Baronet, the former Member of Parliament for Renfrew, with remainder failing heirs male of his own to five of his younger brothers and the...
, with landed families across Scotland (including the Duke of Douglas
Archibald Douglas, 1st Duke of Douglas
Archibald Douglas, 1st Duke of Douglas was a Scottish nobleman.He was the second son of James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas, by his second marriage...
) and more latterly the United Kingdom. The title became extinct in the 20th century; the last 33.5 acres (135,569.8 m²) of the estate (including the house) was sold to Dunbartonshire
Dunbartonshire
Dunbartonshire or the County of Dumbarton is a lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Until 1975 it was a county used as a primary unit of local government with its county town and administrative centre at the town...
county and was subsequently used for the building of Douglas Academy
Douglas Academy
Douglas Academy is a secondary school in Milngavie in the outskirts of Glasgow. In 2001, Douglas Academy was Scotland's top performing state school with 31% of students gaining five or more highers....
in Milngavie prior to the death of the last heir (Lt-Col Archibald Vivian Campbell Douglas) in 1977.
Title & Lineage
The Douglases of Mains are related to the Lords of DouglasEarl of Douglas
This page is concerned with the holders of the extinct title Earl of Douglas and the preceding feudal barons of Douglas, South Lanarkshire. The title was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1358 for William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, son of Sir Archibald Douglas, Guardian of Scotland...
through Archibald I, Lord of Douglas
Archibald I, Lord of Douglas
Archibald of Douglas was a Scottish Nobleman. He was the son of William of Douglas.The earliest attestation of his existence is in a charter of confirmation dated prior to 1198. This charter of Jocelin, Bishop of Glasgow, granted the rights of a toft in Glasgow to Melrose Abbey...
(1198–1238), whose first son was William Longleg, Lord of Douglas
William Longleg, Lord of Douglas
William, Lord of Douglas , known as Longleg, was a Scoto-Norman nobleman.The years of the minority of King Alexander III featured an embittered struggle for the control of affairs between two rival parties, the one led by the nationalistic Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith, the other by pro-English...
and whose second son was Andrew Douglas of Hermiston. The title Laird of Mains was created in 1373, when Nicholas Douglas, son of the fourth Lord of Hermiston married Janet Galbraith, from whom he obtained the lands of Mains. However it was not until 1672 that the 11th Laird registered the coat of arms with the Lord Lyon King of Arms
Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest...
. Tracing the ownership of the title becomes increasingly difficult from the beginning of the 18th century, as the title became junior to the Campbells of Blythswood, with both titles being held by the same family, but never by the same individual. The title become extinct (in 1928) when the last heir (Archibald Vivian Campbell Douglas) was granted a disposition to break the hereditary ownership of the estate (and therefore enabling him to sell it). Archibald VC Douglas was subsequently father to two daughters and died at his house (called Laraich) 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Aberfoyle
Aberfoyle
Aberfoyle is a village in the region of Stirling, Scotland, northwest of Glasgow.The town is situated on the River Forth at the base of Craigmore...
on 28 October 1977.
List of Lairds of Mains
- Nicholas Douglas, 1st of Mains and of Dounteray 1372-92 (younger brother of the 1st Lord of DalkeithEarl of MortonThe title Earl of Morton was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1458 for James Douglas of Dalkeith. Along with it, the title Lord Aberdour was granted. This latter title is the courtesy title for the eldest son and heir to the Earl of Morton....
) - James Douglas, 2nd of Mains and of Dounteray 1392-1420
- James Douglas, 3rd of Mains and of Dounteray 1420-90
- William Douglas, 4th of Mains 1490-91
- John Douglas, 5th of Mains 1491-1513 (killed at the Battle of Flodden)
- Alexander Douglas, 6th of Mains 1513-??
- Matthew Douglas, 7th of Mains ??-1571
- Malcolm Douglas, 8th of Mains 1571-84 (executed for treasonTreasonIn law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
at Edinburgh, 9 Feb 1584) - Alexander Douglas, 9th of Mains 1584-1618
- Archibald Douglas, 10th of Mains (end of direct line; died before 1672)
- John Douglas of Ferguston, 11th of Mains d. 1701 (descendant of the 4th Laird, and last male heir)
- James Douglas 12th of Mains 1701-1743 (second son of Mary Douglas and John Campbell, grandson of John Douglas, changed his name from Campbell to Douglas when he inherited Mains)
- John Douglas, 13th of Mains (1743–56)
- James Douglas 14th of Mains (1756–67) (Lord Blythswood from 1767)
- Colin Douglas 15th of Mains (1767-1801) (brother of James)
- Robert Douglas (1801-04) (brother of James)
- Colin Douglas, 16th of Mains (1804–20)
- Archibald Douglas 17th of Mains (1820–38), Lord Blythswood from 1838 and father of Archibald Campbell, 1st Baron BlythswoodArchibald Campbell, 1st Baron BlythswoodLieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell, 1st Baron Blythswood FRS was a Scottish Conservative politician....
- Colin Douglas, 18th of Mains (1838-47) (brother of Archibald)
- John Campbell Douglas, 19th of Mains (1847–57), the son of Campbell Douglas (fifth son of John Douglas (13th) of Mains) Acquired Balvie estate and renamed the house "Mains", demolishing the original.
- Archibald Campbell Douglas (1857-18??) (known to be alive in October 1885)
- Brig-Gen Douglas Campbell Douglas, 20th of Mains (18??-1927)
- Lt-Col Archibald Vivian Campbell Douglas, 21st of Mains (1927-8), (died at Laraich, AberfoyleAberfoyleAberfoyle is a village in the region of Stirling, Scotland, northwest of Glasgow.The town is situated on the River Forth at the base of Craigmore...
on 28 October 1977)
(it should be noted that the numbering in source texts is inconsistent; some apparent titleholders appear to have been numerically skipped)
Arms
The arms of Douglas of Mains were registered with the Lord Lyon King of ArmsLord Lyon King of Arms
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest...
in 1672 and are as follows:
- argentArgentIn heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it...
(silver background) - a fessFessIn heraldry, a fess or fesse is a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the centre of the shield. Writers disagree in how much of the shield's surface is to be covered by a fess or other ordinary, ranging from one-fifth to one-third...
chequy gulesGulesIn heraldry, gules is the tincture with the colour red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of vertical lines or else marked with gu. as an abbreviation....
(a middle horizontal band of red check) - three mullets in chiefChief (heraldry)In heraldic blazon, a chief is a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across the top edge of the shield. Writers disagree in how much of the shield's surface is to be covered by the chief, ranging from one-fourth to one-third. The former is more likely if the...
azureAzureIn heraldry, azure is the tincture with the colour blue, and belongs to the class of tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of horizontal lines or else marked with either az. or b. as an abbreviation....
(a top horizontal band in blue with three stars) - a man's heart in base proper (a heart at the bottom, correct orientation)
The arms have a crest of an oak tree, and the motto of the family is Quae Serrata Secura
The arms are based on those of the Earl of Douglas
Earl of Douglas
This page is concerned with the holders of the extinct title Earl of Douglas and the preceding feudal barons of Douglas, South Lanarkshire. The title was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1358 for William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, son of Sir Archibald Douglas, Guardian of Scotland...
, which at the time the Mains branch was established, had three stars, but an uncrowned heart. The addition of a fess chequy represented the Lennox land (inherited through the Galbraiths) that formed the estate. The fess of the Stewart Earls of Lennox arms was a silver and blue check, but the Mains family changed the check colour to red (an old Lennox colour).
Estate
The lands of Mains were granted, along with a number of others, early in the thirteenth century, by Maol Domhnaich, Earl of LennoxMaol Domhnaich, Earl of Lennox
Mormaer Maol Domhnaich was the son of Mormaer Ailín II, and ruled Lennox 1217–1250.Like his predecessor Ailín II, he showed absolutely no interest in extending an inviting hand to oncoming French or English settlers...
, to Maurice Galbraith. The Galbraiths
Clan Galbraith
Clan Galbraith is a Scottish clan. The clan does not have a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Because of this, the clan is considered an armigerous clan, and as such Clan Galbraith has no standing under Scots Law. The clan-name of Galbraith is of Gaelic origin, however its meaning...
were a great family in the shires of Stirling and Dumbarton, and in 1296 "Arthur de Galbrait" was one of the principal Barons of the nation who swore fealty to King Edward I. One of their chief residences was at the Castle of Craigmaddie, in this neighbourhood. The family line ended near the close of the fourteenth century in three heiresses, one of whom (Janet) married Nicolas Douglas, son of Sir John Douglas in September 1373, who became the first Laird of Mains. The estate remained largely unchanged until the annexation of neighbouring Balvie (also once a part of the Galbraith lands) in the 19th century. In 1884, the estate comprised 1581 acres (6.4 km²), with an income estimated at £2226 per annum.
Blythswood
When John Campbell of Woodside (third son of Colin, first of Blythswood) married Mary Douglas (daughter of the 11th Laird) they had two sons, the second of which, James Campbell, succeeded to Mains on the death of his grandfather. James Campbell changed his name to Douglas (under the terms of his grandfather's entail executed in 1701), and his elder brother (Colin Campbell), became the second Laird of Blythswood. Colin Campbell's only child and heiress was Mary Campbell, who married Colin Campbell, her first cousin. This Colin Campbell made an entail (to protect the Blythswood title) this time stating that the estates of Blythswood and Mains should not be held by the same person. Any family member from Mains inheriting the title of Blythswood had to change their name to Campbell. The only son of Mary and Colin, James, died in 1767 without issue. The direct line of Blythswood therefore came to an end and a long-running sequence of changes of name and title between the two estates began.Annexation of Balvie
The Logan family held the neighbouring estate of Balvie from the end of the 14th century for many generations, but by the beginning of the seventeenth century Balvie was acquired by Humphrey, second son of Sir Alexander Colquhoun of Luss. In 1700 Balvie was sold to Robert Campbell, Writer to the Signet in Edinburgh, and it afterwards formed part of the Dougalston estates, which were purchased in 1767 by John Glassford, one of the most successful and respected merchants of his time. John Glassford was succeeded by his son Henry, and after his death in 1819, Balvie was acquired by James Macnair, who sold it to John Campbell Douglas of Mains. Balvie and Mains were then united and the name of Balvie dropped. The lands of Balvie were originally of large extent, but they had been gradually subdivided by sales and otherwise, and at the time of their purchase by the Mains family they were considerably smaller.When John Campbell Douglas acquired Balvie, he made the house there the mansion-house of the family, changing its name to Mains, and extended it. He married Helen, daughter of Archibald Bogle of Calderbank, and had at least one son, Archibald Campbell Douglas.
Matthew Douglas, 7th Laird of Mains
On the orders of the Earl of LennoxMatthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox
Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox was the 4th Earl of Lennox, and leader of the Catholic nobility in Scotland. He was the son of John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Lennox. His grandson was James VI of Scotland....
(then regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
for his grandson James VI), Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill
Thomas Crawford (Captain)
Captain Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill . He was a trusted confidant of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, husband of Mary, Queen of Scots and a retainer of the Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox...
, Matthew Douglas of Mains and John Cunningham of Drumquhassle (proprietor of Killermont) retook Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton Castle has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Great Britain. It overlooks the Scottish town of Dumbarton, and sits on a plug of volcanic basalt known as Dumbarton Rock which is high.-Iron Age:...
from John Fleming on 2 April 1571. An Act of Parliament was passed on 28 August 1571 in favour of "Johnne Cuningham of Drumquhassel, Matho Dowglas of Manys, Captain Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill, and others takeris of the Castell of Dumbartane," discharging them of any criminal or civil liabilities incurred in the recapture of the castle.
Malcolm Douglas, 8th Laird of Mains
Malcolm Douglas of Mains was allegedly involved in an intrigue to recover debts owed to William Ruthven, 1st Earl of GowrieWilliam Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie
William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie , known as The Lord Ruthven between 1566 and 1581, was a son of Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven.-Life account:...
by nobles in the king's court and to influence the Scottish monarchy. In August 1582 he along with the Earl of Gowrie
Earl of Gowrie
Earl of Gowrie is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Scotland and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, both times for members of the Ruthven family. It takes its name from Gowrie, a historical region and ancient province of Scotland. On 23 August 1581 William Ruthven,...
, The Earl of Angus, et al, participated in the Raid of Ruthven
Raid of Ruthven
The Raid of Ruthven was a political conspiracy in Scotland which took place on 22 August 1582. It was composed of several Presbyterian nobles, led by William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, who abducted King James VI of Scotland. He was seized while staying at the castle of Ruthven , and kept under...
. They captured King James VI and held him prisoner in what is now known as Huntingtower Castle
Huntingtower Castle
Huntingtower Castle once known as Ruthven Castle or the Place [Palace] of Ruthven is located near the village of Huntingtower beside the A85 and near the A9, about 5km NW of the centre of Perth, Perth and Kinross, in central Scotland, on the main road to Crieff.- History :Huntingtower Castle was...
, Stirlingshire. The King escaped and the Ruthven Raiders were subsequently tried for kidnapping and treason.
Douglas of Mains and others including John Cunningham of Drumquhassle (a member of his wife's family) were brought before an assize, on 6 February 1584, for conspiring in the Raid of Ruthven. Robert Hamilton of Inchmachane (or Ecclesmechan) appears to have come forward as a witness against them. Douglas and Cunningham were both found guilty and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered
Hanged, drawn and quartered
To be hanged, drawn and quartered was from 1351 a penalty in England for men convicted of high treason, although the ritual was first recorded during the reigns of King Henry III and his successor, Edward I...
at the Market Cross, in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. They were publicly executed the same day.
The story has been romanticised over time by many authors, including Sir Walter Scott, with Malcolm Douglas being described as a "gentleman of considerable property, and universally respected" and (by his enemies) "dreaded on account of his courage and independence of spirit". The key witness against him (Robert Hamilton) has been accused of being motivated by financial reward, while the evidence given by him was considered to be false. The second witness (James Edmonston of Duntraith) was allegedly put on a false charge to make him corroborate the evidence in exchange for a pardon.
Robert Douglas, Viscount Belhaven
The second son of Malcolm Douglas of Mains (executed 1584) was Robert. Early in life he was Page of Honour to Henry Frederick, Prince of WalesHenry Frederick, Prince of Wales
Henry Frederick Stuart, Prince of Wales was the elder son of King James I & VI and Anne of Denmark. His name derives from his grandfathers: Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley and Frederick II of Denmark. Prince Henry was widely seen as a bright and promising heir to his father's throne...
, upon whose death he was appointed one of the Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to King James VI & I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
, and continued in the same office to King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
. He was afterwards Master of the Household and a member of the Privy Council, and in 1633 he was by patent created Viscount Belhaven, in the Peerage of Scotland. As he died childless in January 1639, the Viscontancy of Belhaven became extinct on his death. He was buried in Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh where his monument remains today.
Margaret, Duchess of Douglas
Margaret, Duchess of Douglas, was daughter of James Douglas of Mains (12th) and obtained her title by marriage to Archibald Douglas, 1st Duke of DouglasArchibald Douglas, 1st Duke of Douglas
Archibald Douglas, 1st Duke of Douglas was a Scottish nobleman.He was the second son of James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas, by his second marriage...
(part of the Red Douglas family, and a distant relation). Margaret and Archibald married late in life, did not have children, and the title of Duke of Douglas became extinct on Archibald's death. The estates of Douglas became the subject of a legal battle (known as the Douglas Cause) between Archibald Steuart (the Duke of Douglas' nephew) and the Duke of Hamilton, who inherited the remaining titles of Douglas. Margaret supported Archibald, who was granted the estates after appeal to the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
.
In her will, she left money to purchase lands to be called Douglas-Support.