Archibald Douglas, 1st Earl of Ormond facts for kids

Archibald Douglas, who was known as the Earl of Angus, lived from 1609 to 1655. He was the oldest son of William Douglas, 1st Marquis of Douglas. Archibald was an important person in Scotland's government. He was part of the Privy Council of Scotland in 1636. He also became a special judge in 1631.

Archibald signed an important agreement called the Covenant. Even though he signed it, he didn't want to fight to protect it. Later, he helped the Covenanters in England in 1643. In 1646, he became the leader (colonel) of a French army group called the Régiment de Douglas, after his brother was killed. In 1651, he was given a new title, Earl of Ormond. He was fined £1,000 in 1654 by Oliver Cromwell's government.

Archibald Douglas: His Life Story

Early Life and Family

Archibald Douglas was born in 1609. His parents were William Douglas, who was the 11th Earl of Angus and 1st Marquis of Douglas, and his first wife, Margaret Hamilton.

When he was very young, in 1613, he was called Lord Douglas, Master of Angus. Later, when his father became a Marquis, Archibald became known by his most common title: the Earl of Angus. In 1628, Archibald married Lady Anne Stuart. She was the daughter of Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox. King Charles I was even involved in their marriage agreement.

A Time of Change: Politics and War

In 1630, Archibald traveled abroad and returned to Scotland in late 1633. In May 1636, he joined the Privy Council of Scotland. This was a group of advisors to the king. He was there when they approved using a new prayer book.

However, many people thought he supported the Covenanters. The Covenanters were a group who wanted to protect the Scottish church. Archibald was chosen to talk with the Duke of Lennox, who was trying to make people use the new prayer book. Even though he seemed to support the Covenanters, he also approved the king's order to use the book. When the new book was finally stopped, he helped write a thank-you letter to the king. His changing opinions showed he sometimes found it hard to make up his mind.

In 1631, Archibald was made a special judge. Not long after, he signed the Covenant, which was an important agreement for the Covenanters. But when the Covenanters prepared for war, he left the country.

Return to Scotland and New Roles

Archibald came back to Scotland in 1641. He tried to sit in parliament, but his right to be there was questioned. He was asked to leave because he was the eldest son of a peer, not a peer himself.

In 1643, he was chosen to be a commissioner. This meant he would help the Covenanters in England. He also joined a special group that met with commissioners from the English Long Parliament.

In 1646, his younger brother, Lord James Douglas, was killed in battle. Archibald then took over his brother's role as the colonel of the Régiment de Douglas in France. He held this job until 1653. He then gave the role to his brother George Douglas, 1st Earl of Dumbarton. It seems he didn't fight in any battles himself. He spent most of these years in Scotland.

Later Years and Legacy

When King Charles II arrived in Scotland in 1650, Archibald became part of the committee of estates. This group helped prepare for the king's coronation. At the coronation, Archibald was the high chamberlain.

In April 1651, he received a new title: Earl of Ormond in the Peerage of Scotland. This title would pass to the sons from his second marriage. His first wife, Lady Anne Stuart, had passed away in 1646.

In 1651, Archibald played a big part in opposing a group called the Western Remonstrance. But after King Charles II left Scotland, Archibald retired from public life. In 1654, he was fined £1,000 by Oliver Cromwell's government. Even so, people who knew him said he was a true Protestant.

Archibald lived in the Canongate or at Holyrood Palace until he died on January 15, 1655. He passed away before his father. He was buried in the family tomb at St. Bride's Church in Douglas.

His Marriages and Children

Archibald Douglas had children from two marriages.

His first wife was Lady Anne Stuart. They had one son:

• James, who later became the Marquess of Douglas after his grandfather.

His second wife was Lady Jane Wemyss (1629-1715). She was the daughter of David Wemyss, 2nd Earl of Wemyss. They had a daughter and two sons, including:

• Lady Margaret Douglas (1651-1699), who married Alexander Seton, 1st Viscount of Kingston.
• Archibald, who inherited his father's title. In 1661, he received a new title, becoming the Earl of Forfar.

His second wife, Jane Wemyss, lived for sixty years after Archibald passed away. In 1659, she married George Gordon, 15th Earl of Sutherland, and she outlived him too.