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James, 3rd Earl of Morton
James Douglas, the 3rd Earl of Morton (died 1548), was the son of John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton, and the grandson of James Douglas, 1st Earl of Morton, and Joan of Scotland, a daughter of James I of Scotland. He married Katherine Stewart, the illegitimate daughter of King James IV of Scotland and his mistress, Marion Boyd. The couple had three daughters: Margaret, Beatrix, and Elizabeth. His titles were passed on to his son-in-law, James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, who was married to his daughter Elizabeth. Lady Margaret Douglas, his daughter, married James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, who was the heir presumptive to Mary, Queen of Scots, before the birth of her son James in 1566. Beatrix married Robert Maxwell, 6th Lord Maxwell. Unfortunately, all three of Morton's daughters struggled with mental ill-health. In 1541, King James V ordered Morton to travel to Inverness and remain under house arrest. However, the King met him at Brechin on October 17, 1541. Morton then resigned his titles and the lands of Dalkeith Palace to the King, who allowed him to return home. This transfer was witnessed by notable figures, including David Beaton and Oliver Sinclair. The lands were immediately granted to Robert Douglas of Lochleven, who later resigned the title back to King James V in January 1542, keeping only Aberdour Castle. After the death of King James V in 1543, Morton challenged the legality of his resignation before the council of Regent Arran, citing his age, infirmity, and the coercion he faced from the King's threats. Arran's council declared the resignation void, recognizing Morton's consistent stand against fear. He was supported by George Douglas of Pittendreich in asserting his rights. Historian Jamie Cameron suggests that James V's motive may have been to settle the Morton heritage on his son by Margaret Erskine, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, if the Earldom were to pass to George Douglas's son. James died without male issue, circa 1550(1), but on April 22, 1543 he had willed the Morton possessions to the husband of his third daughter, Elizabeth.
Father: John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton b: BEF. 1466 Mother: Janet Crichton b: 1461 Marriage 1 Princess Katherine dau of King James IV of Scotland
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