Archibald Douglas, Parson of Douglas facts for kids

Archibald Douglas, born before 1540, was an important Scottish churchman and diplomat. He served as the Parson of Douglas and later Glasgow. He was also a judge in the College of Justice and an Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I of England. Archibald Douglas was known for being involved in many secret plans and events during a very exciting time in Scottish history. He passed away in 1603.

Archibald Douglas's Career Highlights

Archibald Douglas was known as Mr. Archibald Douglas because he was a clergyman and had a Master of Arts degree. Before 1562, he was the Parson of Douglas, Lanarkshire. This meant he received income from the church lands there.

In 1565, he became an Extraordinary Lord in the College of Justice. This was a high position in Scotland's legal system.

Mary Queen of Scots' Reign

Archibald Douglas was accused of being involved in the plot to kill David Riccio, who was a close friend of Mary, Queen of Scots. Because of this, he had to leave Scotland and go to France for a while.

However, Mary's husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, helped him return to Scotland. Douglas then successfully helped other people involved in the plot get pardons, meaning they were forgiven.

Later, Douglas became involved in plans with James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell to remove Lord Darnley. He acted as a go-between for Bothwell and the Regent Morton. Some people said he was even present when Darnley was killed in 1567.

After this, Douglas became a full Lord Ordinary in the College of Justice in 1568. He was often sent as a messenger to England. In 1570, he was sent to congratulate the Earl of Sussex, an English governor, and to get support for the Scottish government. He also became the Parson of Glasgow around this time.

The Siege of Edinburgh Castle

In 1572, Archibald Douglas was arrested. It was found that he was secretly helping Mary, Queen of Scots' supporters who were holding Edinburgh Castle. He was bringing them money from the Spanish Netherlands.

He was accused of plotting against the Regent Morton. Douglas was held under house arrest, possibly at Stirling Castle or Lochleven Castle.

Years later, an English diplomat named Thomas Randolph said that Douglas was a good person to secretly talk with the people inside Edinburgh Castle. Douglas helped persuade them to give up the castle. He was also involved in selling some of Mary's jewels to get money. For a time, Douglas even kept Mary's wedding ring.

Life in London

After these events, Douglas lived quietly for a while. In 1578, King James VI asked for him to be given back his old job as a judge.

However, in 1580, he was accused again of being involved in Darnley's death. He was warned by a relative and quickly escaped to England. Queen Elizabeth I of England at first wanted him sent back, but he stayed in England.

In 1581, a Scottish law officially declared him guilty of Darnley's murder because he had fled and because his servant had confessed.

In 1583, Douglas spoke with Francis Walsingham, an important English official. Even though Douglas said he didn't know how to write in secret codes, he was actually very good at it.

Thanks to a friend, Douglas was allowed to return to Scotland in 1586. He had a trial and was found not guilty, which caused a lot of discussion.

Diplomacy and the Babington Plot

In 1586, when the Babington Plot against Mary, Queen of Scots, was discovered, King James VI sent Douglas to England. Douglas was a trusted messenger to Queen Elizabeth. He was to talk about James's claim to the English throne and his marriage plans.

Douglas was appointed as King James's official Ambassador to Elizabeth in September 1586. He wrote to King James to tell him that Mary would be put on trial. Elizabeth told him she would be fair to Mary but would also help James.

Douglas worked with others to try and convince Queen Elizabeth to be merciful to Mary, Queen of Scots.

In 1587, Douglas sold some valuable jewelry in London. He also mentioned meeting Queen Elizabeth, who promised to help him financially. Eventually, he was replaced as ambassador.

Later Life and Death

It is possible that Archibald Douglas was also an Archdeacon of Glasgow later in his life, but this is not certain.

In 1601, his sister wrote to him asking for nice London cloth for her daughters' dresses.

Douglas also wrote a letter to his cousin that included stories about rings. One story was about a ring given as a gift from the king that was later found to be worth less than expected. Another story was about a fake diamond ring given to an English official.

Archibald Douglas died in March 1603.

Family

Around 1578, Archibald Douglas married Jean Hepburn. She was the daughter of Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl of Bothwell.