Douglas Genealogy Pages

How did the Black and Red Douglases emerge? When the 2nd Earl Douglas was killed at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388 without legitimate children, the Earldom passed to an illegitimate son of 'The Good Sir James', also known as ‘The Black Douglas’, Archibald the Grim, the Lord of Galloway. This occurred through articles of special entail (a form of trust established by deed or settlement which restricts the sale or inheritance of an estate) in the resignation of title by Hugh the Dull, Lord of Douglas. Those of this lineage were later known as the ‘Black Douglas’. George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus the bastard son of the 1st Earl by his sister-in law Margaret Stewart, Dowager Countess of Mar & Countess of Angus, inherited his mother's Earldom of Angus. Those of this lineage were later known as the ‘Red Douglas’. The Black Douglases fell from power and were attainted by King James II in 1455. The seventh Earl was created Earl of Avondale and Lord Balveny in 1437, but these titles also became forfeit in 1455. The title of Douglas was restored in 1633 for the 'Red' Douglas line, when William Douglas, 11th Earl of Angus (1589–1660), was created First Marquess of Douglas by Charles I.