Janet, Lady Glamis
Encyclopedia
Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis (died 17 July 1537) was the daughter of George Douglas, Master of Angus
and Elizabeth Drummond, daughter of John Drummond, 1st Lord Drummond. She married firstly John Lyon, 6th Lord Glamis (1492–1528) with whom she had a son, also named John: she married secondly Archibald Campbell of Skipnish.
; Janet's brother, Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus
, was King's stepfather, and Angus had imprisoned the young James. James's hatred for Angus extended to his whole family, including Janet. After James had broken free of the Douglas family, in December 1528 Janet was summoned for treason. She was accused with others for bringing supporters of the Earl of Angus
to Edinburgh in June. However, James called her "our lovittis Dame Jonat Douglas" in a licence of 1529 allowing her and a co-accused Patrick Charteris of Cuthilgurdy to go on pilgrimage and be exempt from legal proceedings. A recent historian, Jamie Cameron, thinks it unlikely that Janet went on pilgrimage, as she was the subject of a number of legal actions culminating in a charge of poisoning her husband Lord Glamis who had died on 17 September 1528. This case was dropped and Janet was free to marry her second husband, Archibald Campbell of Skipness
by the summer of 1532. However on 17 July 1537 Janet was convicted of planning to poison the King and communicating with her brothers, the Earl of Angus and George Douglas
.
James had Janet accused of witchcraft against him, although it was clear that the accusations were false. She was imprisoned with her husband (who escaped but was later killed) in a dungeon of Edinburgh Castle. It was easy for James to imprison Janet, but actually convicting her was more difficult; her character was spotless and she was highly respected by everybody who knew her. To gain "evidence", James had Janet's family members and servants subjected to torture. Janet was convicted of the crimes against her and was burned at the stake on 17 July 1537 on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, which her young son was forced to watch.
George Douglas, Master of Angus
George Douglas, Master of Angus was a Scottish Nobleman. The son of Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus and Elizabeth Boyd, daughter of Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd, he was born at Tantallon Castle and died at the Battle of Flodden....
and Elizabeth Drummond, daughter of John Drummond, 1st Lord Drummond. She married firstly John Lyon, 6th Lord Glamis (1492–1528) with whom she had a son, also named John: she married secondly Archibald Campbell of Skipnish.
Treason and Charges of witchcraft
The Douglas family was far from favored by King James V of ScotlandJames V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
; Janet's brother, Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus was a Scottish nobleman active during the reigns of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots...
, was King's stepfather, and Angus had imprisoned the young James. James's hatred for Angus extended to his whole family, including Janet. After James had broken free of the Douglas family, in December 1528 Janet was summoned for treason. She was accused with others for bringing supporters of the Earl of Angus
Earl of Angus
The Mormaer or Earl of Angus was the ruler of the medieval Scottish province of Angus. The title, in the Peerage of Scotland, is currently held by the Duke of Hamilton.-Mormaers:...
to Edinburgh in June. However, James called her "our lovittis Dame Jonat Douglas" in a licence of 1529 allowing her and a co-accused Patrick Charteris of Cuthilgurdy to go on pilgrimage and be exempt from legal proceedings. A recent historian, Jamie Cameron, thinks it unlikely that Janet went on pilgrimage, as she was the subject of a number of legal actions culminating in a charge of poisoning her husband Lord Glamis who had died on 17 September 1528. This case was dropped and Janet was free to marry her second husband, Archibald Campbell of Skipness
Skipness Castle
Skipness Castle stands on the east side of the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland near the village of Skipness.-History:The main structure of the castle was built in the early 13th century by the Clan MacSween with later fortifications and other additions made to the castle through the 13th, 14th and...
by the summer of 1532. However on 17 July 1537 Janet was convicted of planning to poison the King and communicating with her brothers, the Earl of Angus and George Douglas
George Douglas of Pittendreich
George Douglas of Pittendreich was a member of the powerful Douglas family who struggled for control of the young James V of Scotland in 1528. His second son became James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton and Regent of Scotland. Initially, George Douglas promoted the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots and...
.
James had Janet accused of witchcraft against him, although it was clear that the accusations were false. She was imprisoned with her husband (who escaped but was later killed) in a dungeon of Edinburgh Castle. It was easy for James to imprison Janet, but actually convicting her was more difficult; her character was spotless and she was highly respected by everybody who knew her. To gain "evidence", James had Janet's family members and servants subjected to torture. Janet was convicted of the crimes against her and was burned at the stake on 17 July 1537 on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, which her young son was forced to watch.