William Douglas 6th Earl Morton 1540-1606

Paternal Family Tree: Douglas

Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Boyd 1420-1453

William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton were married. She by marriage Countess Morton. She the daughter of George Leslie 4th Earl Rothes.

William Douglas 6th Earl Morton succeeded 6th Earl Morton.

In 1527 [his father] Robert Douglas [aged 21] and [his mother] Margaret Erskine [aged 11] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] John Erskine 17th Earl of Mar [aged 39] and [his grandmother] Margaret Campbell Countess Mar.

In 1540 William Douglas 6th Earl Morton was born to Robert Douglas [aged 34] and Margaret Erskine [aged 24] at Lochleven Castle, Kinross.

On 10th September 1547 an English army commanded by Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset [aged 47] defeated a Scottish army commanded by James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran [aged 31] and Archibald Douglas 6th Earl Angus [aged 58] at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh at Musselburgh.

The English army included John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 43], Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 47], Miles Partridge and Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 22]. John Thynne [aged 32] and Edmund Brydges 2nd Baron Chandos [aged 25] were knighted.

William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 26] accompanied Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset.

Edward Shelley of Worminghurst Park [aged 44] was killed.

John Forbes 6th Lord Forbes [aged 82], Christopher Coningsby [aged 31] and Edward Clere were killed.

John Thynne was knighted after the battle.

George Sandes [aged 29] was killed.

The Scottish army included John Gordon 11th Earl Sutherland [aged 22] who commanded the Rearguard and Gilbert Kennedy 3rd Earl Cassilis [aged 32]. John Stewart, [his father] Robert Douglas [aged 41], John Livingston, Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield and Hugh Montgomerie were killed. John Hay 4th Lord Hay was captured but soon released.

Malcolm Fleming 3rd Lord Fleming [aged 53] was killed. His son James [aged 13] succeeded 4th Lord Fleming. Barbara Hamilton Lady Fleming by marriage Lord Fleming.

Robert Graham Master of Montrose and James Gordon of Lochinvar were killed.

On 7th February 1562 [his illegitimate half-brother] James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent [aged 31] was created 1st Earl Moray and 1st Earl Mar.

On 8th February 1562 [his illegitimate half-brother] James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent [aged 31] and [his sister-in-law] Agnes Keith Countess Moray and Mar [aged 31] were married at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. She by marriage Countess Moray and Countess Mar. She the daughter of William Keith 4th Earl Marischal [aged 55] and Margaret Keith Countess Marischal. He the illegitmate son of King James V of Scotland and [his mother] Margaret Erskine [aged 46]. They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

On 2nd May 1568 Mary Queen of Scots [aged 25] escaped from Lochleven Castle, Kinross with the help of [his brother] George Douglas of Helenhill (brother of William Douglas 6th Earl Morton [aged 28], the castle's owner) and Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley [aged 21].

On 13th May 1568 the army of Mary Queen of Scots [aged 25] commanded by Archibald Campbell 5th Earl Argyll [aged 34] was defeated by the army of the Regent her illegitimate half-brother James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent [aged 37].

John Campbell was killed.

William "Younger" Douglas 7th Lord Drumlanrig and Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton [aged 15] fought.

Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley [aged 21] and George Seton 7th Lord Seton [aged 37] fought for the Queen.

John Graham 6th Earl Menteith fought for the Earl of Moray.

In 1569 [his son] James Douglas was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton [aged 29] and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton [aged 26]. He married (1) Helen Scott (2) Jean Anstruther (3) Mary Kerr.

Report of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. 1570. Lady [his mother] Margaret Erskine [aged 54] to the Countess of Murray, circ. 1570. Madam. Efter meist hertlie commendatioun. I haue resawit your wreting fra this berer and your excuyss off your lang wreting to me, quhilk I except in gud pairt, be resoun of the ewill wedder, quhilk is als ewill heir as it is with you, and quhair ye wrett that ye and your barnis ar weall and in gud helth I am waray glaid of the same, and I assuyr your Ladysohip ther is ne woman of the erth that I wald war fayunar weill nor ye and your bairnis, and sail call meist ernestlie for the same one God, and quhair ye wrett that ye sail wisie me efter Candilraes ye salbe hartlie welcoum, and I beseik in God that ye sail think your traywell weill waird to se my baim, quha growls weill, and cumis weill fordwart, thankis to God. As for newis heir I haue nene to wratt, bot the Laird and all frindis heir ar weill, and in gud helth thankis to God. And the laird [William Douglas 6th Earl Morton [aged 30]] is in the Loich, and it is all frosyn, quha is at greitt charges be resoun of grett eumpany in his houss daylie for the keiping of my Lord of Northumberland [aged 42]. As for newes of the Court, ye will gett from Bdinbruch, for it is ane waray sleicht court and small obeydience, and I dout nocht bot we sail think tham happye that ar away, and thay that ar wikkit that is behind. Ilk ane of thame sail try thair awain. pairt be tym, howbeit nayn uther will do it. I will cummer you vnth na laugar letter bot quhat that lyis in my power salbe reddye in the auld maner, as knauis God quha conserwe yow cternalie. Of the Newhons the fyft day of Januare be your Mother.

(Signed) Margart Erskyn

On 23rd January 1570 [his illegitimate half-brother] James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent [aged 39] was assassinated at Linlithgow by James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, a supporter of Mary Queen of Scots [aged 27]. His daughter [his illegitimate niece] Elizabeth [aged 4] succeeded 2nd Countess Moray. As he was passing in a cavalcade in the main street below, Hamilton fatally wounded him with a carbine shot from a window of his uncle Archbishop Hamilton's [aged 57] house. He was the first head of government to be assassinated by a firearm.

On 5th May 1572 [his mother] Margaret Erskine [aged 56] died.

In 1574 [his daughter] Agnes Douglas Countess Argyll was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton [aged 34] and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton [aged 31] at Lochleven Castle, Kinross. She married 24th July 1592 her third cousin Archibald Campbell 7th Earl Argyll, son of Colin Campbell 6th Earl Argyll and Agnes Keith Countess Moray and Mar, and had issue.

Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses

Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.

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In 1574 [his son-in-law] John Wemyss [aged 16] and Margaret Douglas were married. She the daughter of William Douglas 6th Earl Morton [aged 34] and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton [aged 31].

On 18th August 1580 [his brother] Robert Douglas Earl Buchan [aged 40] died. His son [his nephew] James succeeded 5th Earl Buchan.

In March 1585 [his son] Robert Douglas Master of Morton and Laurence Oliphant Master of Oliphant drowned. They had been exiled for his part in the Raid of Ruthven. The ship in which they were travelling was lost at sea.

On 24th July 1592 [his son-in-law] Archibald Campbell 7th Earl Argyll [aged 17] and Agnes Douglas Countess Argyll [aged 18] were married. She the daughter of William Douglas 6th Earl Morton [aged 52] and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton [aged 50]. He the son of Colin Campbell 6th Earl Argyll and Agnes Keith Countess Moray and Mar. They were third cousins.

In or before 1595 [his son-in-law] Walter Ogilvy 1st Lord Ogilvy of Deskford [aged 34] and Mary Douglas were married. She the daughter of William Douglas 6th Earl Morton [aged 54] and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton [aged 52].

In September 1606 William Douglas 6th Earl Morton [aged 66] died. His grandson William [aged 24] succeeded 7th Earl Morton. Anne Keith Countess Morton by marriage Countess Morton.

[his daughter] Mary Douglas was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton. She married in or before 1595 Walter Ogilvy 1st Lord Ogilvy of Deskford and had issue.

[his son] George Douglas was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton. He married Margaret Forrester.

[his son] Archibald Douglas was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton. He married before 1649 Barbara Forbes.

[his daughter] Euphemia Douglas was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton.

[his daughter] Margaret Douglas was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton. She married 1574 John Wemyss.

Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough

A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'

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[his son] Robert Douglas Master of Morton was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton. He married his fourth cousin Jean Lyon Countess Angus and Morton and had issue.

[his daughter] Christian Douglas was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton. She married her fourth cousin Laurence Oliphant Master of Oliphant.

[his daughter] Jean Douglas was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Douglas Countess Erroll was born to William Douglas 6th Earl Morton and Agnes Leslie Countess Morton. She married her fourth cousin Francis Hay 9th Earl Erroll, son of Andrew Hay 8th Earl Erroll and Jean Hay, and had issue.

Royal Ancestors of William Douglas 6th Earl Morton 1540-1606

Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King John of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland

Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of William Douglas 6th Earl Morton 1540-1606
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [8]

Ancestors of William Douglas 6th Earl Morton 1540-1606

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Douglas 7 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Douglas of Lochleve 8 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Countess Mar

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Douglas of Lochleven 9 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Douglas 10 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Grandfather: Thomas Douglas 11 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Countess Balfour Douglas

father: Robert Douglas 12 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Grandmother: Elizabeth Boyd

William Douglas 6th Earl Morton 6 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Erskine 1st Lord Erskine

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Erskine 2nd Lord Erskine 14th Earl of Mar Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Lindsay Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 2 Grandfather: Alexander Erksine 3rd Lord Erskine 15th Earl of Mar 2 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Erskine 4th Lord Erskine 16th Earl of Mar 3 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Grandfather: John Erskine 17th Earl of Mar 4 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

mother: Margaret Erskine 5 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Duncan Campbell 1st Lord Campbell

Great x 3 Grandfather: Archibald Campbell Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Stewart Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 2 Grandfather: Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll 2 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 1 Grandfather: Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll 3 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Stewart 1st Lord Lorn 7 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart 2nd Lord Lorn Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Stewart Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll 2 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Grandmother: Margaret Campbell Countess Mar 4 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart of Darnley 1st Count Évreux 7 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Alan Stewart of Darnley 8 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Lennox Countess Évreux

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Lennox 9 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Seton Master of Seton 9 x Great Grandson of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Seton 8 x Great Granddaughter of King David I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Janet Dunbar 7 x Great Granddaughter of King David I of Scotland

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Countess Argyll 10 x Great Granddaughter of King David I of Scotland

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Montgomerie Countess Lennox

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Boyd 5th of Kilmarnock

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Boyd