Earl of Ormond (Scotland) facts for kids

This is the coat of arms for the Douglas Earls of Ormond. It shows a red heart and three silver stars on a blue background.

The Earl of Ormond was a special title given out twice in Scotland. Both times, it went to members of the powerful Douglas family. There was also a similar title, the Marquess of Ormond. This title was also created twice in Scotland, but for members of the House of Stuart, who were kings and queens.

The name Ormond comes from Ormond Castle. This castle is located in a place called Avoch in the Black Isle, and the Douglas family owned it.

Douglas Family: Earls of Ormond

The first time the title of Earl of Ormond was created was in 1445. It was given to a soldier named Hugh Douglas. He was the younger brother of the 8th and 9th Earls of Douglas.

Hugh Douglas and the King

Hugh's brother, the 8th Earl of Douglas, was killed by King James II. After this, Hugh and his other brothers decided to stop supporting the king. They started a rebellion against him.

In 1455, Hugh Douglas's forces were defeated by the king's army at the Battle of Arkinholm. Hugh was captured and put on trial for going against the king. He was executed, and his title of Earl of Ormond was taken away by the crown.

Second Creation of the Earldom

The title of Earl of Ormond was created a second time in 1651. This time, it was for the eldest son of the Marquess of Douglas. The title was meant to pass down through his family. However, this second creation of the earldom ended in 1715.

Stuart Family: Marquesses of Ormond

The title of Marquess of Ormond was also created twice, but for members of the royal House of Stuart.

First Stuart Marquess

The first time this title was created was in 1476. It was given to King James III's second son when he was a baby. Later, in 1488, this same son also became the Duke of Ross. He held both titles at the same time until he passed away in 1504.

Second Stuart Marquess

The title of Marquess of Ormond was created a second time in 1600. It was a lesser title for the future King Charles I. At that time, he was known as the Duke of Albany. When Charles became king in 1625, this title became part of the crown.

Who Held the Titles?

Here are the people who held the titles of Earl and Marquess of Ormond.

First Earls of Ormond (1445)

• Hugh Douglas, Earl of Ormond (died 1455)
  • His title was taken away in 1455.

First Marquesses of Ormond (1476)

• James Stewart, Duke of Ross and Marquess of Ormond (1476–1504)
  • He also became Earl of Ross in 1481 and Duke of Ross in 1488.

Second Marquesses of Ormond (1600)

• Charles Stuart, Duke of Albany and Marquess of Ormond (1600–1649)
  • This title joined the crown in 1625 when he became king.

Second Earls of Ormond (1651)

• Archibald Douglas, 1st Earl of Ormond (around 1609–1655)
  • He was also known as the Earl of Angus. He was the son of the 1st Marquess of Douglas.

When the 1st Earl of Ormond passed away, his younger son received the earldom. This son was also made the Earl of Forfar in 1661.

• Archibald Douglas, 1st Earl of Forfar and 2nd Earl of Ormond (1653–1712)
  • He was the younger son of the 1st Earl of Ormond.

• Archibald Douglas, 2nd Earl of Forfar and 3rd Earl of Ormond (1692–1715)
  • He passed away in 1715 without any children. Because of this, both the Earldom of Forfar and the Earldom of Ormond titles ended.