James
Douglas, 7th Laird of Drumlanrig
Sir James Douglas, 7th Baron of Drumlanrig, (1498-1578) was, in
1526, one of the barons who attempted to rescue King James V from
the hands of the Earl of Angus, by whom he was kept in a state of
thraldom. for which efforts, and his loyalty to Queen Mary, he was
he was knighted by the regent Arran, Duke of Chatelherault. In 1554
the Queen made him Warden of the East Marches(1), with full powers
of justiciary, an office he stayed in for many years until retiring
at an old age.
He was the son of Sir William Douglas, 6th
Baron Of Drumlanrig (b. Bef 1484, k. 9 Sep 1513, Battle Of Flodden)
and Elizabeth Gordon of Lochinvar.
He was also Laird of Hawick and, in 1537, he gave the town of Hawick it's charter.
In 1551, Mary, Queen of Scots, gave him a pardon for coming
with the Earl of Lennox to besiege James V of Scotland at Linlithgow
Palace in September 1526. In August 1526, James V had included
Drumlanrig in a pardon for those who assisted in the murder of
Thomas McClellan of Bomby in Edinburgh.
He
subscribed the Book of Discipline on 27th January 1561, and was one
of the confederated barons who marched against Queen Mary, in 1567,
when she surrendered at Carberry Hill.
Old Drumlanrig, as he
was called, was with the forces under the earl of Morton at Leith,
in 1571, and engaged in some of the skirmishes with the castle of
Edinburgh, then held by the queen’s party. On the 23d of June the
same year, he was taken prisoner as he was riding home, on some
business betwixt him and Lord Herries, and others who were at
variance. Lord Herries treacherously appointed to meet him where the
laird of Wormeston lay in wait for him, and he was conveyed to the
castle of Edinburgh. On this occasion his son, Sir William, narrowly
escaped. Not being certain whether his son had been killed or not,
he sent him the following curious epistle: “Willie, Thou sall wit
that I am haill and feare. Send me word thairfoir how thow art,
whether deid or livand? Gif thow be deid, I doubt not but freindis
will let me know the treuth; and gif thow be weill, I desire na muir,”
&c. He showed this letter to his captors, that they might be sure it
contained no treason; and to save his purse, he sent it with the
letter, desiring the messenger to deliver it to his son.
(Calderwood, vol. iii. p. 105, note.) He was one of those who
visited Knox on his deathbed, and died in 1578.
He rebuilt Drumlanrig
Castle.
Although the father of 18-20 children through two marriages, Sir James sired only
one son in wedlock, Sir William of Hawick. Sir William predeceased his father in 1572. Sir
James died in 1578 and the family honours passed to his
grandson.
- Children
Janet Douglas = (1) William (Sir) (of Cashogle) Douglas = (2) William
(of Amisfield) Charteris
-
Margaret Douglas = John (of Applegirth) Jardine
Nicholace (of Drumlanrig) Douglas = 1545 John Johnstone of that Ilk- Patrick
Douglas
Mother: Unknown, or various
- John Douglas of Ersmortoun = Grilis Irving
- Robert Douglas
- Robert Douglas, legitimised 16 Aug 1546
- John Douglas, Legitimised 16 Aug 1546
- Adam Douglas, Legitimised 16 Aug 1546
- Janet Douglas
- Alison Douglas
- Agnes Douglas
- Margaret Douglas = William Maxwell
- Marion Douglas = Andrew Cunnyngham of Birkshaw
Marriage 2 Christian Montgomery, dau of John, Master of Eglington
and sister to 2nd Earl of Eglington. She died 9 Aug 1575
Children
-
Sir William Douglas of
Hawick
- Elizabeth Douglas = 18 feb 1556/7 Andrew Ker,
son of Walter Ker of Cessford
- Margaret Douglas = (1) Edward, Lord Crichton of
Sanquhar = (2) William, 5th Earl of Menteith = (3) Robert Wauehope of
Niddrie
- Janet Douglas = 25 Jan 1559/60 James Twedy of
Drummelzier = (2) 2 Mar 1563/4 Wiliam Ker, Younger of Cessford
- Helen Douglas - 21 Apr 1566 Roger Grierson of Lag
- Christian Douglas = 21 Apr 1574 Andrew Stewart of
Garlies
Notes:
1. Elsewhere, I have him as being appointed Guardian
of the West Marches.
Any contributions will be
gratefully accepted
Errors and Omissions
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