William Douglas of Whittinghame
Encyclopedia
William Douglas of Whittingehame (c. 1540 – 17 December 1595) was a Senator of the College of Justice
at Edinburgh
, and a Royal conspirator.
(number 1995, 1 November 1648) and other references contain an accurate account. William Douglas was the eldest son and heir of William Douglas of Whittingehame
(died bef. 24 August 1557) and his spouse Elizabeth (d. after 24 August 1557), daughter of Sir Robert Lauder of The Bass (d.1517/18) by his spouse, Elizabeth Lawson.
. The grant of Whittinghame was confirmed in the Great Seal in January, where we can see the extent of the church lands Douglas has acquired: "the King [sic] and Queen confirm to William Douglas of Whittinghame and Elizabeth Maitland, his spouse, 8 husbandlands (208 acres) and four 'terras' cottages in the 'villa' of Whittinghame". He joined the Lords of the Congregation
and seems to have been frequently employed by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
in their communications with Mary, Queen of Scots and the Privy Council of Scotland
.
It is said that the plot to murder Mary's husband, Lord Darnley
, was discussed at length in the grounds of Whittinghame Castle early in 1566, and the Privy Council cited William Douglas of Whittinghame, brother to Master Archibald Douglas, Parson of Douglas
, amongst others, as one of the conspirators in the murder of David Riccio, for which he was pardoned on the 24 December 1566. In 1567 he joined the Association for the Preservation of James VI. However, later, on the 26 August 1582 William Douglas of Whittinghame was cited in the Privy Council as one of the 'Ruthven Raiders'.
Prior to 20 October 1575 he was appointed an Ordinary Lord in the College of Justice
. On 9 January 1579 he and his brother Archibald, Parson of Douglas & Glasgow, were excused attendance at court due to Archibald's illness, which was thought to be so serious that his brother should not leave him.
He resigned his position at the College of Justice prior to 1 August 1590, on which day his son and heir Archibald was presented to it by King James VI, although these positions were not hereditary.
Material given on behalf of his grandson, the Field Marshal Robert Douglas, Count of Skenninge
, to the Swedish genealogical authorities, mention that this William, laird of Whittinghame, was sometime (perhaps around 1590) during the reign of James VI of Scotland, a Scots envoy to king Christian IV of Denmark
and Norway (whose sister James VI married) (ref: Elgenstierna).
of Lethington by his spouse Mariotta, daughter of Sir Thomas Cranstoun of Corsbie. They had six sons and two daughters. Of them:
College of Justice
The College of Justice is a term used to describe the Supreme Courts of Scotland, and its associated bodies.The constituent bodies of the supreme courts of Scotland are the Court of Session, the High Court of Justiciary, and the Accountant of Court's Office...
at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, and a Royal conspirator.
Family
Dalrymple appears to have his ancestry incorrect, as the Great Seal of ScotlandGreat Seal of Scotland
The Great Seal of Scotland allows the monarch to authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. Wax is melted in a metal mould or matrix and impressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the monarch wishes to make official...
(number 1995, 1 November 1648) and other references contain an accurate account. William Douglas was the eldest son and heir of William Douglas of Whittingehame
Whittingehame
Whittingehame is a parish with a small village in East Lothian, Scotland, about halfway between Haddington and Dunbar, and near East Linton. The area is on the slopes of the Lammermuir Hills...
(died bef. 24 August 1557) and his spouse Elizabeth (d. after 24 August 1557), daughter of Sir Robert Lauder of The Bass (d.1517/18) by his spouse, Elizabeth Lawson.
Career
He acquired some Church lands. He obtained, on 17 August 1560, a charter of the ecclesiastical lands of Whittingehame from Claud Hamilton, then Dean of DunbarDunbar
Dunbar is a town in East Lothian on the southeast coast of Scotland, approximately 28 miles east of Edinburgh and 28 miles from the English Border at Berwick-upon-Tweed....
. The grant of Whittinghame was confirmed in the Great Seal in January, where we can see the extent of the church lands Douglas has acquired: "the King [sic] and Queen confirm to William Douglas of Whittinghame and Elizabeth Maitland, his spouse, 8 husbandlands (208 acres) and four 'terras' cottages in the 'villa' of Whittinghame". He joined the Lords of the Congregation
Lords of the Congregation
The Lords of the Congregation were a group of Protestant Scottish nobles who in the mid-16th century favoured reformation of the church along Protestant principles and a Scottish-English alliance.- Historical events :...
and seems to have been frequently employed by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the sovereign and highest court of the Church of Scotland, and is thus the Church's governing body[1] An Introduction to Practice and Procedure in the Church of Scotland, A Gordon McGillivray, 2nd Edition .-Church courts:As a Presbyterian church,...
in their communications with Mary, Queen of Scots and the Privy Council of Scotland
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
.
It is said that the plot to murder Mary's husband, Lord Darnley
Lord Darnley
Lord Darnley is a title associated with a Scottish Lordship of Parliament first created in 1356 and tracing a descent to the Dukedom of Richmond in England. Outside the Peerage of Scotland, another Earldom of Darnley was created in the Peerage of Ireland in 1729.The first baron was Sir John...
, was discussed at length in the grounds of Whittinghame Castle early in 1566, and the Privy Council cited William Douglas of Whittinghame, brother to Master Archibald Douglas, Parson of Douglas
Archibald Douglas, Parson of Douglas
Archibald Douglas, Parson of Douglas, was also Parson of Glasgow, a Senator of the College of Justice, Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I of England, and a notorious intriguer....
, amongst others, as one of the conspirators in the murder of David Riccio, for which he was pardoned on the 24 December 1566. In 1567 he joined the Association for the Preservation of James VI. However, later, on the 26 August 1582 William Douglas of Whittinghame was cited in the Privy Council as one of the 'Ruthven Raiders'.
Prior to 20 October 1575 he was appointed an Ordinary Lord in the College of Justice
College of Justice
The College of Justice is a term used to describe the Supreme Courts of Scotland, and its associated bodies.The constituent bodies of the supreme courts of Scotland are the Court of Session, the High Court of Justiciary, and the Accountant of Court's Office...
. On 9 January 1579 he and his brother Archibald, Parson of Douglas & Glasgow, were excused attendance at court due to Archibald's illness, which was thought to be so serious that his brother should not leave him.
He resigned his position at the College of Justice prior to 1 August 1590, on which day his son and heir Archibald was presented to it by King James VI, although these positions were not hereditary.
Material given on behalf of his grandson, the Field Marshal Robert Douglas, Count of Skenninge
Robert Douglas, Count of Skenninge
Robert Douglas , Count of Skenninge, Baron of Skalby, was a Scottish Field Marshal in the Swedish army, during the Thirty Years' War and the Swedish-Polish wars...
, to the Swedish genealogical authorities, mention that this William, laird of Whittinghame, was sometime (perhaps around 1590) during the reign of James VI of Scotland, a Scots envoy to king Christian IV of Denmark
Christian IV of Denmark
Christian IV was the king of Denmark-Norway from 1588 until his death. With a reign of more than 59 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch of Denmark, and he is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects...
and Norway (whose sister James VI married) (ref: Elgenstierna).
Marriage
William Douglas married in 1566 Elizabeth (d. after 6 August 1608 when she was described as his 'relict'), daughter of Sir Richard MaitlandRichard Maitland
Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington and Thirlstane was a Senator of the College of Justice, an Ordinary Lord of Session from 1561 until 1584, and notable Scottish poet. He was served heir to his father, Sir William Maitland of Lethington, Haddingtonshire, and Thirlestane, Berwickshire, on 15...
of Lethington by his spouse Mariotta, daughter of Sir Thomas Cranstoun of Corsbie. They had six sons and two daughters. Of them:
- Sir Archibald Douglas of Whittinghame, Senator of the College of JusticeCollege of JusticeThe College of Justice is a term used to describe the Supreme Courts of Scotland, and its associated bodies.The constituent bodies of the supreme courts of Scotland are the Court of Session, the High Court of Justiciary, and the Accountant of Court's Office...
, was served his heir, confirmed in a Precept from Chancery dated 4 May 1596. Although he married in 1597, Helen Lumsden, he died between 1630 - 1642 with no issue. He settled Whittingehame upon his niece Isobel's husband, Sir Arthur Douglas, Knt., a grandson of William Douglas, 6th Earl of MortonWilliam Douglas, 6th Earl of MortonWilliam Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton was the son of Sir Robert Douglas of Lochleven and Margaret Erskine, a former mistress of James V of Scotland. Sir William's half-brother from his mother's liaison with the king was James Stewart, Earl of Moray, Regent of Scotland from 1567 until his...
. - Patrick Douglas of Standingstone, Haddingtonshire (witnessed a Sasine to "his brother german" Archibald on 7 May 1596), whose son, Field Marshal Robert Douglas, Count of SkenningeRobert Douglas, Count of SkenningeRobert Douglas , Count of Skenninge, Baron of Skalby, was a Scottish Field Marshal in the Swedish army, during the Thirty Years' War and the Swedish-Polish wars...
, friherre (baron) of Skalby, SwedenSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, was a commander in later stages of Thirty Years War. Patrick was maternal grandfather to Sir Robert Lauder of Beilmouth. - James Douglas, described in the Great Seal 1 November 1648, as "secretary to James VI".
- Richard Douglas of Newgrange, Haddingtonshire, and Brockholes, Berwickshire (alive 7 May 1596, when he witnessed a Sasine to "his brother german", Archibald).
- Sir William Douglas of Stoneypath, near GarvaldGarvaldGarvald can refer to:* Garvald, East Lothian* Garvald, Scottish Borders* Garvald, South Lanarkshire...
(d. between 1628 -1642), whose son-in-law Sir Arthur Douglas, Knt., was eventual heir of WhittingehameWhittingehameWhittingehame is a parish with a small village in East Lothian, Scotland, about halfway between Haddington and Dunbar, and near East Linton. The area is on the slopes of the Lammermuir Hills...
. - Margaret Douglas married Robert Sinclair of LongformacusLongformacusLongformacus is a small village in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It is around north-west of Duns, in the Lammermuir Hills. The Dye Water runs through the village, flowing east towards its confluence with the Whiteadder Water nearby...
.