John, 2nd Earl of Morton

Window, Great Hall, Stirling Castle: Crest of John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton

John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton died 1513, Battle of Flodden

He was the son of James, 1st Earl of Morton and Princess Joan of Scotland, Countess of Morton, daughter of James I of Scotland by his wife Lady Joan Beaufort. He became earl in 1493, upon his father's death.

He was succeeded by his son James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton.  Sir John was married to Lady Janet Crichton, daughter of Patrick Crichton of Cranstoun-Riddell.

A very wealthy man but unlike many of his peers, John did not become embroiled in the intrigues and politics of his day.  Instead, the shrewd Earl of Morton worked to improve his holdings and was quite the litigator in his time, successfully defending his interests in court. It turned out later that John, as lord of Dalkeith was aware the land had great value both above and below the surface and in fact sat on what was later described as the Great Midlothian Coalfield.

• Birth: BEF. 1466
• Death: 1513

1. James (3rd Earl of Morton) Douglas
2. Richard Douglas
3. Elizabeth or Beatrice Douglas = Robert Lord Keith
4. Agnes\Anne (of Morton) Douglas b: ABT. 1500 = Alexander 5th Lord Livingston

The following indicates that there were two further sons, William and John, parsons of Kilbotho (Kilbucho) and Newlands

20 December 1509: Charter by John, earl of Mortoun, to John, his son, of the lands of Bodeleys, in the barony of Robertoun (annexed to the barony of Dalkeith). At the castle of Dalkeith. Witnesses: Mr. William Dowglas and Mr. John Dowglas, sons of the granter, parsons of Kilbotho and Newlands, Patrick Roul, provost of the collegiate church of Dalkeith, William Gifferd, James Kneland, William Borthuik, sirs John Crechtoun and John Scot, vicar and prebendary of the said church of Dalketh, and William Liddale, the granter's marshel.

Sources

Sources for this article include:

•  Papers of the Earls of Morton

See also The Earls of Morton