Gavin Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gavin Douglas |
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| Bishop of Dunkeld | |
Statue of Gavin Douglas, Scottish National Portrait Gallery
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| Diocese | Diocese of Dunkeld |
| In Office | 1515/6 – 1522 |
| Predecessor | Andrew Stewart |
| Successor | Robert Cockburn |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 1516 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1474 Tantallon Castle, East Lothian |
| Died | September 1522 London |
| Previous post | Provost of St. Giles' |
Gavin Douglas (born around 1474 – died September 1522) was an important Scottish bishop, poet, and translator. Even though he had a big political career, people mostly remember him for his amazing poetry.
His most important achievement was the Eneados. This was a full and accurate translation of Virgil's Aeneid into Scots. It was the first successful translation of its kind into any language similar to English. He also wrote other poems, like Palice of Honour, and possibly King Hart.
Contents
Gavin Douglas's Life
Early Years and Education
Gavin Douglas was born around 1474 or 1476 at Tantallon Castle in East Lothian, Scotland. He was the third son of Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus. Records show he was 13 in 1489, suggesting he was born in 1476.
He studied at University of St Andrews from 1489 to 1494. He probably also studied in Paris. He mainly focused on Aristotle but also learned about Logic, Physics, and Metaphysics. In 1496, he became a Master of Arts, which was a high academic degree back then.
Early Career and Writings
Gavin Douglas held several church positions. In 1496, he became a parson in Monymusk. Later, he was a parson in Lynton and rector of Hauch. Around 1501, he became the provost of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. He held this position along with his other church duties.
Before the Battle of Flodden in 1513, Douglas spent his time on church work and writing. All his famous poems and translations were created during this period. After the battle, he became very busy with public and political matters.
Douglas was friends with many important people of his time. These included Polydore Vergil and Cardinal Wolsey. Because of his powerful family and public role, we know a lot about his life. He is one of the best-documented early Scottish poets. All his literary work was finished before he turned 40. He wrote in a very polished and often fancy style of Scots. After completing the Eneados in 1513, he did not write any more poetry.
While he was Provost of St Giles', Douglas asked the Pope for permission to marry couples who were related. The Church had rules about how closely related people could be to marry. Gavin argued that these marriages helped bring peace to Scotland. He also said that waiting a long time for permission from Rome was inconvenient. He asked to be allowed to perform ten such marriages over four years.
Political Role During James V's Youth
After the Battle of Flodden, the Douglas family became very important in Scottish politics. Gavin Douglas was made a citizen of Edinburgh. His father, the "Great Earl," was the city's civil leader. When his father died, Gavin's nephew, Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, took over.
Archibald married King James IV's widow, Margaret Tudor. This marriage connected the Douglas family to England. Gavin Douglas supported his family and the Queen. He hoped to get a higher church position because many church leaders had died at Flodden.
The Queen nominated him to be Archbishop of St Andrews. However, he faced strong opposition and did not get the position. He became deeply involved in state affairs. He tried to get one of the many church leadership roles that were open. He finally became the Bishop of Dunkeld in 1516 after a difficult struggle.
In 1517, Douglas went to France with the Duke of Albany. They negotiated the Treaty of Rouen. He returned to Scotland later that year. Douglas was deeply involved in the politics of the time. These politics mainly focused on who would control young James V of Scotland. He became an enemy of the Queen Mother, who had been his ally before. He continued to be involved in political actions against the Duke of Albany.
Bishop of Dunkeld
In January 1515, the Bishop of Dunkeld died. The Queen nominated Gavin Douglas for the vacant position. He eventually got it, but not without problems. Another person, Andrew Stewart, had taken over the bishop's palace. The Queen asked the Pope for help, and the Pope agreed in February 1515.
When the Duke of Albany returned from France, he became the regent (ruler for the young king). Albany used Douglas's letters and the way he got the bishopric against him. Douglas was put in prison in Edinburgh Castle, then St Andrews Castle, and later Dunbar Castle. He was released after nearly a year because the Pope intervened.
In May 1517, Douglas went to France with Albany to negotiate the Treaty of Rouen. He was back in Scotland by June. Albany's long absence led to a plot by some nobles to capture the Earl of Angus, the Queen's husband. This led to a famous fight called Cleanse the Causeway. Gavin Douglas played a notable part in this event.
The Earl of Angus's triumph made him act carelessly. He used the Queen's money freely. The Queen then sought a divorce and worked to bring Albany back to weaken her husband's power. When Albany arrived in November 1521, Angus and Douglas had to flee. Douglas was sent to the English court to ask for help against the French party and the Queen.
Meanwhile, Douglas lost his bishopric. He had to stay in England for safety. He could not return to Scotland because England declared war on Scotland.
Death
In 1522, Gavin Douglas caught the Bubonic plague in London. He died at the home of his friend Lord Dacre. He was buried in the church of the Savoy. A brass plaque there still marks his death and burial.
Gavin Douglas's Works
The Palice of Honour
The Palice of Honour was written in 1501. It is a long dream-story with over 2000 lines. It is his earliest known work. The poem describes different courts on their way to a palace. It also tells about the poet's adventures. He first speaks badly of the court of Venus but is later forgiven. Then he joins a procession to see the palace's wonders. The poem is dedicated to King James IV. It teaches lessons about being virtuous and honorable.
No original handwritten copy of the poem exists. The oldest surviving printed version is from around 1553.
The Eneados
Douglas's most important literary work is the Eneados. This is his translation of Virgil's Aeneid into Scots. He finished it in 1513. It was the first complete translation of a major ancient poem into any modern Germanic language. His translation is very accurate. It also includes the 13th book by Maffeo Vegio. Each of the 13 books starts with an original poem by Douglas. These poems talk about different things, sometimes about his own life.
Other Known Poems
Two other poems are believed to be by Gavin Douglas: King Hart and Conscience.
Conscience is a short poem with four stanzas. It talks about how people removed parts of the word "conscience." First, they took away "con" to leave "science." Then they lost "sci," leaving only "ens," which means "riches and goods."
King Hart is a poem whose author is not certain. Like The Palice of Honor, it is a later story that uses symbols. It is considered a very good poem. It tells the story of human life using the allegory of King Hart (meaning "Heart") in his castle. He is surrounded by his five servants (the senses), a Queen, and other courtiers. The poem has over 900 lines.
Images for kids
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A bin commemorating Gavin Douglas in Queen's Park, Glasgow.
See also
In Spanish: Gavin Douglas para niños
