Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus

Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus (1449 – 19 November 1513), became known as the "Great" Earl of Angus and, perhaps more famously, as "Bell the Cat".

Life

Angus, born about 1449 at Tantallon Castle in East Lothian, succeeded his father, George the 4th earl, in 1462 or 1463.

In 1481, Angus became Warden of the east marches, but the next year he joined the league against James III and his favourite Robert Cochrane at Lauder. Here he earned his nickname by offering to "bell the cat" – specifically, to deal with Cochrane – beginning the attack upon him by pulling his gold chain off his neck, and then ordering the hanging of Cochrane and others of the king's favourites. (The phrase "to bell the cat" comes from one of Aesop's fables, "The Mice in Council", and refers to a dangerous task undertaken for the benefit of all.)

Subsequently he joined Alexander Stewart, 3rd Duke of Albany, in league with Edward IV of England on 11 February 1483, signing the convention at Westminster which acknowledged the overlordship of the English king. However, in March Albany and Angus returned, outwardly at least, to their allegiance, and received pardons for their treason.

Later, Angus became one of the leaders in the rebellion against James III in 1487 and 1488 which ended in the latter's death.

Angus became one of the guardians of the young king James IV. but soon lost influence, to the Homes and Hepburns, and the wardenship of the marches went to Alexander Home. Though outwardly on good terms with James, Angus treacherously made a treaty with Henry VII around 1489 or 1491, by which he undertook to govern his relations with James according to instructions from England. He also agreed to hand over Hermitage Castle, commanding the pass through Liddesdale into Scotland, on the condition of receiving English estates in compensation.

In October 1491 he fortified his castle of Tantallon against James, but had to submit and to exchange his Liddesdale estate and Hermitage Castle for the lordship of Bothwell.

In 1493 Angus again returned to favour, receiving various grants of lands. He became Chancellor, which office he retained till 1498. In 1501, in disgrace once more, he was confined to Dumbarton Castle. At the disaster at Flodden Field in 1513, though absent himself, Angus lost his two eldest sons. He won appointment as one of the councilors of Margaret Tudor the queen regent. He died at the close of this year, or in 1514.

Marriages and children

Angus married four times:

1. Catherine Seton, a natural daughter of Alexander Gordon, 1st Earl of Huntly
2. on 4 March 1467: Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd
3. about 1498: Janet, daughter of John Kennedy, 2nd Lord Kennedy
4. in 1500: Katherine Stirling.

Children by second marriage

Children by third marriage

References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.