Archibald Douglas, sixth earl of Angus, and grandson of "Bell-the-Cat." James Bothwell, one of the family, forms the most interesting part of Scott's Lady of the Lake. He was the grandfather of Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots. He died 1560.
James Douglas, earl of Morton, younger-brother of the seventh earl of Angus. He took part in the murder of Rizzio, and was executed by the instrument called "the maiden" (1530-1581).
The "Black Douglas," introduced by Sir W. Scott in Castle Dangerous, is "The Gud schyr James." This was also the Douglas which was such a terror to the English that the women used to frighten their unruly children by saying they would "make the Black Douglas take them." He first appears in Castle Dangerous as "Knight of the tomb." The following nursery rhyme refers to him:—
Hush ye, hush, ye, little pet ye;
Hush ye, hush ye, do not fret ye;
The Black Douglas shall not get thee.
Sir W. Scott, Tales of a Grandfather, i. 6.
Douglas, a tragedy by J. Home (1757). Young Norval, having saved the life of Lord Randolph, is given a commission in the army. Lady Randolph hears of the exploit, and discovers that the youth is her own son by her first husband, Lord Douglas. Glenalvon, who hates the new favorite, persuades Lord Randolph that his wife is too intimate with the young upstart, and the two surprise them in familiar intercourse in a wood. The youth, being attacked, slays Glenalvon, but is in turn slain by Lord Randolph, who then learns that the young man was Lady Randolph's son. Lady Randolph, in distraction, rushes up a precipice and throws herself down headlong, and Lord Randolph goes to the war then raging between Scotland and Denmark.
Douglas (Archibald earl of), father-in-law of Prince Robert, eldest son of Robert III. of Scotland.
Margery of Douglas, the earl's daughter, and wife of Prince Robert duke of Rothsay. The duke was betrothed to Elizabeth, daughter of the earl of March, but the engagement was broken off by intrigue.—Sir W. Scott, Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).