William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton facts for kids
William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton (about 1540 – 1606) was an important Scottish nobleman. He was the son of Robert Douglas of Lochleven and Margaret Erskine. Margaret Erskine was also the mother of James Stewart, Earl of Moray, who later became a powerful leader in Scotland.
Contents
William Douglas's Life and Work
Family Connections and Early Life
William Douglas had strong family ties to powerful people in Scotland. His half-brother, James Stewart, Earl of Moray, became the Regent of Scotland. A Regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young or unable to rule. James Stewart was Regent from 1567 until he was killed in 1570.
William's cousin, James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, was also a Regent of Scotland. William worked closely with his cousin throughout his life. Sometimes, people even confused the two men in history books!
William's father died in a battle called the battle of Pinkie in 1547. William married Agnes Leslie, who was the daughter of George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes. William and Agnes had eleven children together. Agnes's family, the Leslies, were very active in the Scottish Reformation, a big change in Scotland's religion.
Mary, Queen of Scots at Lochleven Castle
William Douglas owned Loch Leven Castle, which was on an island. This castle became famous because Mary, Queen of Scots met the religious leader John Knox there in 1563. William and his mother had also built a new house on the shore of Loch Leven. This "Newhouse" eventually became the main family home instead of the island castle.
In June 1567, Queen Mary was brought to the island castle as a prisoner. This happened after she surrendered at the Battle of Carberry Hill. On July 24, she was made to sign papers at Lochleven. These papers meant she had to give up her crown to her young son, James VI.
William Douglas later wrote a paper saying he was not there when the Queen signed these papers. He also said he offered to take her to Stirling Castle for her son's coronation, but she refused. However, years later, Queen Mary wrote that William was one of her enemies and that she was forced to give up her crown. William Douglas was paid for keeping the Queen prisoner by the Scottish government.
William's wife, Lady Agnes Leslie, became Queen Mary's main female companion during her time in prison. Agnes stayed with the Queen all day and often slept in her room. After ten and a half months, Queen Mary found a chance to escape. This happened on May 2, 1568. William's brother, George, and a young cousin named William Douglas helped her get away from Lochleven. When Sir William found out his royal prisoner had escaped, he was so upset that he tried to stab himself.
Later, in October 1570, William Douglas was the keeper of the Earl of Northumberland at Lochleven Castle. He wrote to an English diplomat, mentioning that Loch Leven could freeze in winter.
Becoming the Earl of Morton
In 1581, the title of Earl of Morton was taken away from the 4th Earl. This happened because he was found guilty of certain actions. The title was then given to another family member. William Douglas and other family members were not allowed to be in Edinburgh during this time.
A year later, William joined a group called the Raid of Ruthven. When this group was defeated, William had to go into exile in France. He returned to Scotland in 1586.
A historian from the 1600s, David Hume of Godscroft, wrote about William's wife, Agnes Leslie. She wrote to William, saying she would stop their son Robert from joining a plan to take Stirling Castle. She thought it was a bad idea that would ruin them. William wrote back, saying their plan was honorable and for the good of the church. Sadly, Robert and their son-in-law were sent away to France and were lost at sea.
In 1586, the Earl of Morton title was returned to the 4th Earl's family. According to the 4th Earl's wishes, when Archibald Douglas, 8th Earl of Angus died in 1588, William Douglas became the 6th Earl of Morton. This meant he gained more lands and homes, including Dalkeith Palace and Aberdour Castle. In May 1590, he hosted a Danish Admiral at his Newhouse of Lochleven.
In August 1592, the royal court was at Dalkeith Palace. A Danish servant of Queen Anne helped a rebel escape from the palace. King James VI was very angry. He sent Morton and Sir Robert Melville to the Queen. They were to demand that she send the servant back to Denmark, but the Queen refused to speak to them.
William Douglas also wrote a short history of the Scottish Reformation and the reigns of Queen Mary and King James VI.
Marriage and Children
On November 26, 1554, William Douglas married Lady Agnes Leslie, Countess of Morton. She was born after 1541 and died around 1606. Agnes was the daughter of George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes. Her family line also connected her directly to King James II. William and Agnes made their home at Lochleven Castle. His widowed mother also lived there.
Sir William and Agnes had eleven children together:
- Christian Douglas: She married Laurence, Master of Oliphant. Later, she married Alexander Home, 1st Earl of Home.
- Robert Douglas, Master of Morton: He was lost at sea in 1585. He married Jean Lyon. They had two sons, including William Douglas, 7th Earl of Morton.
- James Douglas, Commendator of Melrose: He traveled with King James to Denmark. He married three times and had children from each marriage.
- Sir Archibald Douglas of Kilmour (died 1649): He traveled with King James to Oslo to meet Anne of Denmark in 1589.
- Sir George Douglas of Kirkness (died December 1609): He married Margaret Forrester.
- Euphemia Douglas: She married Sir Thomas Lyon of Auldbar.
- Agnes Douglas, Countess of Argyll (1574-1607): She married Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll in 1592. They had one son and two daughters.
- Elizabeth Douglas: She married Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll in 1590.
- Jean Douglas.
- Mary Douglas: She married Sir Walter Ogilvy, 1st Lord Ogilvy of Deskford.
- Margaret Douglas: She married Sir John Wemyss of Wemyss in 1574.
Agnes and William's seven daughters were known for being very beautiful. People called them "the pearls of Lochleven." When Mary, Queen of Scots, was a prisoner at Lochleven Castle, some of these daughters slept in her room for safety.
In 1588, William Douglas became the 6th Earl of Morton. This happened after the death of Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Morton. From that time on, Agnes was known as the Countess of Morton.
William Douglas died around 1606, the same year his wife, Agnes, passed away.
