Marquess of Queensberry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marquessate of Queensberry
Arms: Quarterly: 1st & 4th, Argent, a Human's Heart Gules, imperially crowned Or, on a Chief Azure, three Mullets of the field (for Douglas); 2nd & 3rd, Azure, a bend between six Crosses-Crosslet fitchée Or (for Mar); all within a Bordure Or, charged with a Double Tressure flory counterflory Gules (for Scotland). Crest: A Human Heart Gules, imperially crowned proper, within two Wings Or. Supporters: On either side a Pegasus Argent, winged crined and unguled Or.
Creation date	11 February 1682
Monarch	Charles II of Scotland
Peerage	Peerage of Scotland
First holder	William Douglas, 1st Marquess of Queensberry
Present holder	David Douglas, 12th Marquess of Queensberry
Heir apparent	Sholto Douglas, Viscount Drumlanrig
Remainder to	heirs male whatsoever of the grantee
Subsidiary titles	Earl of Queensberry Viscount Drumlanrig Lord Douglas of Hawick & Tibbers Baronet of Kelhead
Status	Extant
Former seat(s)	Kinmount House
Motto	FORWARD

Memorial plaques at the Douglas Family Mausoleum, Cummertrees Parish Church

The Queensberry Monument Dumfries

The Marquess of Queensberry is a special title in the Peerage of Scotland. This title has been held by a member of the Douglas family ever since it was created in 1682. The Marquesses also held the title of Duke of Queensberry from 1684 until 1810. After that, the Dukedom was passed to the Duke of Buccleuch.

History of the Queensberry Title

The Douglas family has a long history in Scotland. The area known as Drumlanrig was controlled by Sir William Douglas. He was the son of The 2nd Earl of Douglas and Mar. Sir William died around 1427.

Later, one of his descendants, William Douglas, 9th of Drumlanrig, was given the title of the 1st Earl of Queensberry in 1633. This was an important step for the family.

Understanding Queensberry's Other Titles

Besides Marquess, the head of the Queensberry family holds several other titles. These are called "subsidiary titles." They include:

• Earl of Queensberry (created in 1633)
• Viscount Drumlanrig (created in 1628)
• Lord Douglas of Hawick and Tibbers (created in 1628)

All these titles are part of the Scottish peerage system. The family also holds a Scottish baronet title, known as "of Kelhead," created in 1668. This means the 6th Marquess was also the 5th Baronet.

The oldest son and heir of the Marquess of Queensberry uses a special "courtesy title." This title is Viscount Drumlanrig. It lets people know he is next in line to inherit the main title.

Family Homes and Burial Places

The main home for the Marquesses of Queensberry used to be Kinmount House. This house is located in the parish of Cummertrees in southern Scotland. However, the 9th Marquess sold Kinmount House in 1896.

The traditional place where the Marquesses of Queensberry are buried is the Douglas family mausoleum. This special burial place is at Cummertrees Parish Church.

Famous Members of the Queensberry Family

One of the most well-known Marquesses was John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess. He is famous for two main reasons:

• He helped create the rules for boxing that are still used today. These rules are known as the Marquess of Queensberry rules.
• He had a well-known disagreement with the famous writer Oscar Wilde.

In 1893, Queen Victoria gave a new title to Francis Archibald, Viscount Drumlanrig. He was the heir of the 9th Marquess. This new title was Baron Kelhead in the peerage of the United Kingdom. Sadly, Francis, Lord Drumlanrig, passed away the next year without any children. Because of this, the title "Baron Kelhead" ended.

Earls and Marquesses of Queensberry

The Queensberry title has a long line of holders. Here's a look at some of the key figures who held the titles of Earl and then Marquess.

Early Earls of Queensberry (from 1633)

• William Douglas, 1st Earl of Queensberry (died 1640)
• James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Queensberry (died 1671)
• William Douglas, 3rd Earl of Queensberry (1637–1695)
• William Douglas later became the 1st Marquess of Queensberry in 1682. He then became the 1st Duke of Queensberry in 1684.

Marquesses (from 1682) and Dukes of Queensberry (from 1684)

• William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry (1637–1695)
• James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry (1672–1711)
• Charles Douglas, 3rd Duke of Queensberry, 4th Marquess of Queensberry (1698–1778)
• William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry, 5th Marquess of Queensberry (1725–1810)

The 2nd Duke of Queensberry made a special arrangement for his titles. He gave up most of his titles, except the Marquessate, to the Crown. He then received a new grant for the Dukedom and other titles. This new grant changed the line of succession. It allowed the Dukedom to pass to his third son, bypassing his second son. It also allowed for future heirs, including both male and female descendants, from the 1st Earl of Queensberry.

After the 2nd Duke's death, the Marquessate passed to James Douglas, the 3rd Marquess. However, due to his health condition, he was not able to inherit his father's Dukedom. Instead, the Dukedom passed to Charles Douglas, who became the 3rd Duke. Charles Douglas also later became the 4th Marquess after James's death.

The Dukedom of Queensberry eventually passed to Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch. This happened because of the special succession rules set up by the 2nd Duke. Henry Scott was the son of Francis Scott, Earl of Dalkeith, whose mother was Lady Jean Douglas. Lady Jean was the eldest daughter of the 2nd Duke of Queensberry.

Marquesses of Queensberry from 1810

After 1810, the Dukedom and Marquessate followed different paths. Here are the Marquesses of Queensberry from that time:

• Charles Douglas, 6th Marquess of Queensberry (1777–1837)
• John Douglas, 7th Marquess of Queensberry (1779–1856)
• Archibald William Douglas, 8th Marquess of Queensberry (1818–1858)
• John Sholto Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry (1844–1900)
• Percy Sholto Douglas, 10th Marquess of Queensberry (1868–1920)
• Francis Archibald Kelhead Douglas, 11th Marquess of Queensberry (1896–1954)
• David Harrington Angus Douglas, 12th Marquess of Queensberry (born 1929)

The person who is expected to inherit the title next is the current Marquess's son. His name is Sholto Francis Guy Douglas, and he holds the courtesy title of Viscount Drumlanrig (born 1967). His brother, Lord Torquil Oberon Tobias Douglas (born 1978), is the next person in line if Viscount Drumlanrig does not have children.

Baronets of Kelhead (from 1668)

See Douglas baronets

• Sir James Douglas, 1st Baronet (1639–1708)
• Sir William Douglas, 2nd Baronet (died 1733)
• Sir John Douglas, 3rd Baronet (died 1778)
• Sir William Douglas, 4th Baronet (died 1783)
• Charles Douglas, 6th Marquess of Queensberry (1777–1837)

See above for further succession

Family Tree