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- Son of the fourth Earl. Known as the Great Earl of Angus, and as "Bell the Cat". He was married three times, had three sons, and several daughters. His second son, William, was by Elizabeth Boyd. The name "Bell the Cat" came to Angus through an occurrence at the time of Cochran, Minister to James III. A secret meeting of some nobles was held when the corruptions of Cochran were discussed, and a method of overcoming the evils. Lord Gray told a fable.
"A council held by the mice, who were much annoyed by the cat, decided that a bell should be hung around puss's neck to warn them when she was coming. But although all were in layout, no one could be found with sufficient courage to place the bell on the cat."
Thus, it was insinuated that although the nobles might condemn the King's Minister, there was no one to be found with the courage to carry out their resolutions. At this Angus arose and said; "I am he who shall bell the cat." While still debating, a loud knocking sounded at the door, and Cochran with three hundred men appeared. Angus met him, and seizing a rich gold chain which Cochran wore around his neck, jerked it off, saying "A halter would be more becoming."
So, they hanged him with many others, and thus "Bell the Cat" got his name.
Angus, at this time was the leader of the Scottish nobility and on the seizing of the King by the nobles, Angus it was who dictated the terms of his release to Albany, the king's brother; and being so fair and reasonable, he gained the respect of the King and Court, Albany was for a time practically ruler of Scotland, until he showed favoritism to the English, when the nobles became suspicious, and he had to flee the country. He then attacked Scotland with the English. Angus was nearly captured in the fight, escaping only by speed of his horse.
Earl Angus was at once Warden of the East and Middle Marches, Lord of Liddesdale and Jedwood Forest, and possessor of the Castles of Douglas, Hermitage and Tantallion. He was highly esteemed by the nobility, and the faction, which he controlled, shook the throne of James III, whose person they restrained. In 1488, Angus and his supporters made war on the King, who was defeated at Bannockburn. The King, fleeing the field, was murdered, after a fall from his horse.
During the early reign of King James IV, Angus was an advisor and friend of the young King, who at the same time, kept a close watch on the growing power of Angus, and later forced Angus to exchange his castle of Hermitage in Galloway for the Castle of Bothwell, thus scattering his strength.
In 1513, an English army, under the Earl of Surrey, met the Scottish army at Flodden. Here Earl Angus tried to advise the King as to the procedure of Battle, but being insulted by the King who had turned very stubborn, the old Knight retired from the field, leaving his two sons who were killed, with the King in the battle the next day. Angus died the following year, a very old man, and was succeeded by the son of his eldest son, George Master of Douglas, who was killed at Flodden. (See Scott's Marmion)
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1453 - Aft 1513 (60 years)
(Age 44 years)