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The Dukes of Hamilton
In 1490, their son James Hamilton (c.1475-1529) who was aged 15, married Elizabeth, the 13-year-old widow of Thomas Hay of Hoprew. But it was later discovered that Thomas Hay was actually still alive and the marriage was annulled. James became privy councillor to James IV and helped arrange the marriage of the James IV to Princess Margaret Tudor of England. As a reward he was created him Earl of Arran in 1503. The Earl's second marriage to Janet Beaton (bef. 1499-1522) produced his heir James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran (1515-1575). The 2nd earl was chosen as Regent of Scotland between 1542 and 1554 and guardian of the young Mary, Queen of Scots. He was created Duc de Châtellérault of France in 1548. The 2nd earl was succeeded by his eldest son James Hamilton (1533/1538-1609) who had been proposed as a husband to Queen Elizabeth of England in 1561. In 1562 he was declared insane and in 1581 he resigned the Earldom to James Stewart of Bothwellhaugh. In 1586 his resignation was ruled by the Court of Session to be the act of a madman and his honours were restored.
Earl of Angus, Marquess and Duke of Hamilton The 3rd earl's younger brother John Hamilton (c.1535-1604) was appointed to administer his brother’s estates. He was created Marquess of Hamilton and Lord Aven on 17 April 1599. His son James Hamilton (1589-1625) was created 1st Lord Aberbrothwick in the peerage of Scotland on 5 May 1608. Upon the death of his uncle in 1609 he became the 4th Earl of Arran and the 5th Lord Hamilton.He was created Earl of Cambridge and Baron of Innerdale in the peerage of England on 16 June 1619. His son James Hamilton (1606-1649) was created Duke of Hamilton, Marquess of Clydesdale, Earl of Arran and Cambridge and Lord Aven and Innerdale 12 April 1643. His son Charles Earl of Arran died young and the duke's titles passed to his brother William Hamilton (1616-1651) who had already been created Earl of Lanark and, Lord Machansyre and Polmont in the peerage of Scotland on 31 March 1639. Upon his death, with no male heirs to claim the titles, the Earldom of Arran became dormant. All of the other titles in the peerages of England and Scotland that had been granted after 1643 became extinct. The dukedom and the other minor titles devolved upon the 1st Duke's eldest surviving daughter Anne (c. 1631-1716), who became Duchess of Hamilton in her own right. James, 4th Duke, was the first to adopt the name Douglas-Hamilton (though some will say this happened later).
See also: • Descendants
of the 1st Duke of Hamilton
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