James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton facts for kids
James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton, was an important Scottish nobleman who lived in the 1500s. He was the son of John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton and the grandson of James Douglas, 1st Earl of Morton. His grandmother, Joan of Scotland, was a daughter of King James I of Scotland.
James Douglas married Catherine Stewart. She was a daughter of King James IV of Scotland. James and Catherine had three daughters: Margaret, Beatrix, and Elizabeth. When James Douglas died in 1548, his son-in-law, James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, took over his title. The 4th Earl was married to Elizabeth, one of James's daughters.
His daughter, Lady Margaret Douglas, married James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran. James Hamilton was next in line to the throne after Mary, Queen of Scots, before her son James was born in 1566. Another daughter, Beatrix, married Robert Maxwell, 6th Lord Maxwell.
Giving Up His Titles
In 1541, King James V ordered the Earl of Morton to travel to Inverness. The King wanted him to stay there under house arrest. However, the King met Morton on his way in Brechin on October 17, 1541.
At this meeting, Morton gave up his titles and lands, including Dalkeith Palace, to the King. After this, he was allowed to go home. The King then gave these lands to Robert Douglas of Lochleven. Robert Douglas later gave the titles back to King James V in January 1542. He only kept Aberdour Castle.
Getting His Titles Back
After King James V died, in 1543, the Earl of Morton went to the council of Regent Arran. He argued that he should get his titles back. Morton explained that he was old and not well. He said he was afraid he would not survive being held in Inverness, far from his home in East Lothian. He felt forced by the King's threats to give up his titles.
Morton had secretly made notes about his objections in March 1542. The council agreed with him. They said he was a "constant man" (meaning strong and brave) in the face of fear. They decided that his giving up the titles was not valid. George Douglas of Pittendreich helped Morton get his rights back in 1543.
Some historians believe King James V might have wanted to give the Morton lands to his own son, James Stewart. This would have happened if the Earldom had gone to George Douglas's son.
