George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus facts for kids

George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus, also known as Lord Douglas, Abernethy, and Jedburgh Forest (born around 1427 – died March 12, 1463), was an important Scottish nobleman. He was the son of William Douglas, 2nd Earl of Angus, and Margaret Hay. People called him the Great Earl of Angus. He became Earl after his brother James, who had no children, died in 1446. George was the first leader of the "Red" branch of the Clan Douglas.

The Red and Black Douglas Families

The Douglas family was very powerful in Scotland. It had two main branches: the "Black" Douglases and the "Red" Douglases. George Douglas belonged to the "Red" line. Both branches came from the same ancestor, William the Hardy, Lord of Douglas.

The Black Douglases were led by the Earls of Douglas. The Red Douglases, like George, were led by the Earls of Angus. Even though they were related, the two branches often had different goals. George Douglas had a special connection to the royal family, the House of Stewart. His grandmother was Princess Mary of Scotland, who was the daughter of Robert III of Scotland. This made him a close relative of the King. This connection became very important later on.

Douglases Working Together

In June 1448, George Douglas joined forces with his relatives from the Black Douglas family. This included the Earl of Douglas and his brother Hugh. They went on a raid into England. They burned the town of Alnwick and returned home safely. This attack was a response to English raids that had burned Dunbar Castle and damaged Dumfries. The Scottish Douglases then attacked Warkworth Castle and won a battle at Sark.

This raid in 1448 was the last time the Black and Red Douglas families fought together. After this, their paths separated. In 1449, George Douglas was given an important job. He became the Warden of the Middle Marches. This meant he was in charge of protecting the border with England.

The Douglas Rebellion and Angus's Choice

In 1452, something shocking happened. The 8th Earl of Douglas (from the Black Douglas line) was killed by King James II at Stirling Castle. The Earl had been promised safety, but the King broke that promise. Other powerful nobles helped the King. After this, the Black Douglas family rebelled against the King. The late Earl's brothers, including James (the new 9th Earl), Archibald, Hugh, and John, led the uprising.

You might think George Douglas would join his cousins. But the relationship between the Black and Red Douglases was often difficult. Also, George was a close cousin of King James II. He had to choose a side. When the rebellion started in 1455, George Douglas chose to support the King. He was given a high command in the King's army.

George helped the King during the siege of Abercorn. Later, one of the Douglas rebels' main supporters, James Hamilton, switched to the King's side. The Earl of Douglas then fled to England. His brothers stayed in Scotland to keep fighting. King James sent George Douglas to deal with them. George gathered his own forces and met the rebels on May 18 near Langholm. The battle, called the Battle of Arkinholm, was a big defeat for the Douglas brothers. Archibald was killed, and Hugh was captured and later executed. Only John escaped to England. That summer, the Black Douglases lost their titles and lands. George Douglas approved this decision.

The Rise of the Red Douglas

After the Black Douglases lost their power, George Douglas became even more powerful. He received many of their lands and titles. In 1457, he officially gained control of the large Douglas estates.

In 1460, George joined King James II at the siege of Roxburgh Castle. This castle was held by the English and was a constant problem for Scotland. King James was supporting the Lancastrian side in England's Wars of the Roses. On August 3, the King's wife, Mary of Gueldres, arrived to encourage the soldiers. King James was watching a large cannon, called a bombard, fire. He stood too close, and it exploded, killing him. George Douglas was also wounded, but he was still able to take command. The castle was captured within a week.

On August 10, George attended the crowning of the new King, James III, at Kelso Abbey. James III was only nine years old. As Lord Abernethy, George had the right to place the crown on the young King's head. He is said to have declared, "There! Now that I have set it upon your Grace's head, let me see who will be so bold as to move it."

George Douglas had already become very powerful under James II. His power continued to grow during the time James III was a child and a regent ruled. Even though a law said no Douglas should have a permanent right to guard the borders, George continued to lead the East and Middle Marches. The Queen-regent, Mary of Gueldres, also made him a lieutenant of the kingdom.

In 1461, George spent a lot of time organizing his new lands. He put trusted people in charge of properties that were far away. In 1462, he received all the goods, lands, and rents that had belonged to the defeated Black Douglases in Roxburghshire.

That same year, George was involved in talks with Henry VI of England, who was a Lancastrian. Henry promised George that if he helped him get his kingdom back, he would make George a Duke in England. This dukedom would come with a castle and land worth a lot of money. However, George could not follow through with these plans. He died on March 12, 1463, in Abernethy.

Important Roles Held

• He was a commissioner (a person sent to represent the King) who negotiated with the English twice, in 1449 and 1459.
• He served as an Ambassador to England in 1451.
• He was the Warden of the East and Middle Marches from 1455 to 1462.

Family Life

George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus, married Isabella Sibbald before he became Earl. Isabella was the daughter of Sir John Sibbald of Balgonie. They had nine children:

• Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus
• John Douglas
• Anne Douglas, who married William Graham, 3rd Lord Graham
• Isabella Douglas, who married Sir Alexander Ramsay
• Elizabeth Douglas, who married Sir Robert Graham of Fintry
• Margaret Douglas, who married Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy
• Janet Douglas, who married David Scott and later George Leslie, 2nd Earl of Rothes
• Egidia Douglas
• Alice Douglas

Peerage of Scotland
Preceded by James Douglas	Earl of Angus 1446–1463	Succeeded by Archibald Douglas