Earl of Angus

The Mormaer or Earl of Angus was the ruler of the medieval Scottish province of Angus. The title, in the Peerage of Scotland, is held by the Duke of Hamilton, and is used as a courtesy title for the eldest son of the Duke's eldest son.

History

Mormaers

Angus is one of the oldest attested mormaerdoms, with the earliest attested mormaer, Dubacan of Angus, known to have lived in the early 10th century, as recorded in the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba. Angus was, according to the doubtful and legendary text de Situ Albanie, one of the seven original mormaerdoms of the Pictish kingdom of Alba, said to have been occupied by seven brothers, of whom Angus (Oengus) was the eldest.^[1] Despite this, the mormaers of Angus are among the most obscure of all. After the death of Mormaer Maol Chaluim, in probably about 1240, the mormaerdom passed through the marriage of his daughter Matilda, to the line of the Norman Gilbert de Umfraville.

Ogilvy Earls

The lands of Clan Ogilvy, in Angus, was ruled by a mormaer; one of the ancient Celtic nobles of Scotland who became the first earls.^[2] The title of Moramer of Angus became Earl of Angus.^[2] Gillebride, Earl of Angus, received a Barony from King William the Lion in 1163,^[3] and bestowed upon his son, Gilbert, the lands of Wester Powrie, Ogilvy, and Kyneithin.^[4] The top left quadrant displays the Ogilvy crest; argent, a lion passant, guardant, Gules, crowned with an imperial crown and collared with an open one, Proper.^[5]^{[unreliable source?]}

Umfraville Earls

Gilbert de Umfraville inherited the Earldom while in his minority after his father's death in 1245. Gilbert fought on the English side during the first war of Scottish independence until his death in 1308. His heir, second son Robert, also fought on the side of the English and surrendered to King Robert de Brus during the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. He was released by Robert and treated with the Scots for peace with England. He was ultimately disinherited of his titles. Robert's heir Gilbert continued attempting to recover the Earldom and supported Edward Balliol and other disinherited barons and lords in Scotland.

Stewart Earls

John Stewart of Bonkyll, Berwickshire, obtained the title Earl of Angus in 1329 in a new line after the forfeiture of the de Umfraville line, though the latter family continued to use the title in England until 1381.^[1] This Stewart line ended with Margaret Stewart, countess of Angus in her own right, and widow of Thomas, Earl of Mar.^[1]

Douglas earls

An illicit affair between Margaret Stewart, Countess of Mar and Angus, and her brother in law, William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas (married to the sister of her husband), produced George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus (c. 1380–1403). The Countess secured a charter of her estates for her son, to whom in 1389 the title was granted by King Robert II. He was taken prisoner at Homildon Hill in 1402, and died in captivity in England. Archibald "Bell-the-Cat" (1453–1514) the powerful adversary of James III, was his great-grandson.^[1]

William Douglas (1589–1660) 11th Earl of Angus, was created Marquis of Douglas in 1633.^[6] He resigned the title of Earl of Angus, having it recreated with the marquessate, so he was the 1st Earl of Angus in the new creation. He outlived his son Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus (c. 1609–1655), and was succeeded by Archibald's son James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas (1646–1699). James' son and heir Archibald Douglas was created Duke of Douglas, Marquess of Angus and Abernethy, Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, and Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun and Robertoun on 10 April 1703. He died without leaving an heir and the titles acquired with the dukedom became extinct. All his other titles devolved to his distant cousin the 7th Duke of Hamilton, whose descendants hold them still.

Mormaers/early Earls of Angus

?
Indrechtach?, fl. early 10th century
Dubacan, d. 937
?
Cuncar, fl. mid-10th century
?
Gille Brigte, fl. 1150
Adam, fl. 1189

Gille Críst, ?–1206
Donnchadh, 1206–1214
Maol Choluim, 1214–1240
Matilda (or Maud)
- m1. John Comyn, jure uxoris Earl of Angus (d. 1242, without issue)
- m2. Gilbert de Umfraville, jure uxoris Earl of Angus
Gilbert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus (Earl: 1246–1307)
Robert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus (Earl: 1307–c. 1314 (forfeit); d. 1325)
- Gilbert de Umfraville (d. 1381)

Earls of Angus, Stewart line (1329)

John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus (d. 1331)
Thomas Stewart, 2nd Earl of Angus (d. 1361)
Margaret Stewart, Countess of Angus and Mar (d. 1417) (resigned earldom in favour of her son George Douglas in 1389)
- Thomas, Earl of Mar suo jure uxoris Earl of Angus (d. 1374)

Earls of Angus, Douglas line (1389)

George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus (1378–1402)
William Douglas, 2nd Earl of Angus (c. 1398–1437)
James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Angus (1428–1446)
George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus (c. 1427–1462)
Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus (1453–1514)
- George Douglas, Master of Angus (1469–1513)
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus (1490–1557)
David Douglas, 7th Earl of Angus (c. 1515–1558)
Archibald Douglas, 8th Earl of Angus (1556–1588)
William Douglas, 9th Earl of Angus (1533–1591)
William Douglas, 10th Earl of Angus (1552–1611)
William Douglas, 11th Earl of Angus (1590–1660), (created Marquess of Douglas in 1633, when he resigned the earldom, which was regranted with the marquessate)

Marquesses of Douglas (1633)

Also Lord Abernethy and Jedburgh Forest

(The Earldom of Angus was regranted with the Marquessate as a courtesy title, used by the eldest son of the Marquess)

William Douglas, 1st Marquess of Douglas (1590–1660)
James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas (1646–1700)
Archibald Douglas, 3rd Marquess of Douglas (1694–1761) (created Duke of Douglas in 1703)

Duke of Douglas (1703)

Also Marquess of Angus and Abernethy, Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, and Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun and Robertoun

Archibald Douglas, 1st Duke of Douglas (1694–1761) (created Duke of Douglas in 1703) (the dukedom became extinct on his death, while the Earldom of Angus, Marquessate of Douglas and other subsidiary titles were inherited by James Hamilton, 7th Duke of Hamilton)

For later Earls of Angus and Marquesses of Douglas, see the Duke of Hamilton

Family tree

Family tree of the: Earls of Angus, Earls of Avondale, Earls of Douglas, Marquesses of Douglas, Earls of Forfar, Earls of Ormond and Marquesses of Ormond, Earls of Ross and Dukes of Ross

Earl of Angus (Stewart line), 1329

John Stewart
(d. 1331)
1st Earl of Angus, Lord of Bonkyl, Lord of Abernethy jure uxoris

William the Hardy
(1243–1298)
Lord of Douglas

Thomas Stewart
(b. before 1331-1361)
2nd Earl of Angus

Archibald Douglas
(d. 1333)

James Douglas "the Good"
(c. 1286–1330)
Lord of Douglas

Earl of Douglas, 1358

Robert III of Scotland
(c. 1337–1406)

Margaret Stewart
(d. 1417)
3rd Countess of Angus, Lady of Abernethy, Lady of Bonkyll

William Douglas
(c. 1323–1384)
1st Earl of Douglas

Archibald Douglas "the Grim"
(c. 1330 – c. 1400)
3rd Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell

Earl of Angus transferred from the Stewarts to the Douglasses when Margaret resigned her title in deference to her son, 1389

Earl of Avondale and Lord Balveny, 1437

James I
(1394–1437)

Princess Mary of Scotland

George Douglas
(1380–1430)
1st Earl of Angus, Lord of Abernethy, Lord of Bonkyll

James Douglas
(c. 1358–1388)
2nd Earl of Douglas, Earl of Mar

Archibald Douglas "Tyneman"
(c. 1369–1424)
Duke of Touraine, 4th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, 13th Lord of Douglas, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell
m. Margaret of Carrick, daughter of Robert III

James Douglas
(1371–1443)
7th Earl of Douglas, 1st Earl of Avondale, 1st Lord Balveny

William Douglas
(1398–1437)
2nd Earl of Angus

Douglases of Drumlanrig

Archibald Douglas
(c. 1391–1439)
Duke of Touraine, 5th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell, Lord of Selkirk and Ettrick Forest, Eskdale, Lauderdale, Liddesdale and Annandale, Count of Longueville, Seigneur de Dun-le-roi

Earl of Ormond (Scotland) (1st creation), 1445

James II
(1430–1460)

James Douglas
(1428–1446)
3rd Earl of Angus

George Douglas
(c. 1427–1463)
4th Earl of Angus

William Douglas
(c. 1424–1440)
Duke of Touraine, 6th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Bothwell, Lord of Selkirk and Ettrick Forest, Eskdale, Lauderdale, and Annandale, Count of Longueville, Seigneur de Dun-le-roi

William Douglas
(1425–1452)
8th Earl of Douglas, 2nd Earl of Avondale, 2nd Lord Balveny

James Douglas
(1426–1491)
9th Earl of Douglas, 3rd Earl of Avondale, 3rd Lord Balveny

Hugh Douglas
(d. 1455)
Earl of Ormond

Earldom of Douglas and Earldom of Avondale forfeit, 1491

Eardom of Ormand forfeit, 1455

James III
(1451/1452–1448)

Archibald Douglas
(c. 1449–1513)
5th Earl of Angus

Marquess of Ormond (Scotland) (1st creation), 1476
Earl of Ross, 1481
Duke of Ross, 1488

James IV
(1473–1513)

James Stewart
(1476–1504)
Duke of Ross, Marquess of Ormond, Earl of Ross

George Douglas
(1469–1513)
styled Master of Angus

William Douglas of Glenbervie
(1473–1513)

Dukedom of Ross (1488 creation), Marqessate of Ormond (1st creation) and Earldom of Ross (1481 creation) extinct, 1504

Duke of Ross (2nd creation), 1514

James V
(1512–1542)

Alexander Stewart
(1514–1515)
Duke of Ross

Archibald Douglas
(1490–1557)
6th Earl of Angus

George Douglas of Pittendreich
(d. 1552)

Archibald Douglas of Glenbervie
(1513–1570)

Dukedom of Ross (2nd creation) extinct, 1515

Earl of Ross (1565 creation)

Mary, Queen of Scots
(1542–1587)

Henry Stuart
(1546–1567)
Duke of Albany, 1st Earl of Ross, Lord Darnley, Lord Ardmannoch

David Douglas
(c. 1515–1558)
7th Earl of Angus

William Douglas
(1533–1591)
9th Earl of Angus

James VI and I
(1566–1625)
2nd Earl of Ross

Archibald Douglas
(1555–1588)
8th Earl of Angus, Earl of Morton

William Douglas
(1553–1611)
10th Earl of Angus

Earldom of Ross (1565 creation), merged with the crown

Marquess of Ormond (Scotland) (2nd creation), Earl of Ross, and Lord Ardmannoch, 1600

Marquess of Douglas (1st creation), 1633

Elizabeth Stuart
(1596–1662)

Charles Stuart
(1600–1649)
Marquess of Ormond, Earl of Ross
Later King Charles I of England and Scotland

William Douglas
(1589–1660)
1st Marquess of Douglas, 11th Earl of Angus

Marquessate of Ormand (2nd creation) and Earldom of Ross (1600 creation) merged with the Crown, 1625

Earl of Ormond (Scotland) (2nd creation), 1651

Sophia of Hanover
(1630–1714)

Archibald Douglas
(1609–1655)
1st Earl of Ormond

Earl of Forfar (1st creation), 1661

King George I
(1660–1727)

James Douglas
(c. 1646–1700)
2nd Marquess of Douglas, 12th Earl of Angus

Archibald Douglas
(1653–1712)
2nd Earl of Ormond, 1st Earl of Forfar

Duke of Douglas, Marquess of Angus and Abernethy, Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun, 1703

King George II
(1683–1760)

Archibald Douglas
(1694–1761)
1st Duke of Douglas, Marquess of Angus and Abernethy, and Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun,
3rd Marquess of Douglas, 13th Earl of Angus

Archibald Douglas
(1692–1715)
3rd Earl of Ormond, 2nd Earl of Forfar

Dukedom of Douglas, Marquessate of Angus and Abernethy, and Viscountcy of Jedburgh Forest, Lordship Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun extinct, 1761
Marquessate of Douglas, and earldom of Angus passed to James Hamilton, 7th Duke of Hamilton

Earldoms of Ormond and Forfar extinct, 1715

Frederick
(1707–1751)
Prince of Wales

King George III
(1683–1760)

Edward Augustus
(1767–1820)
Duke of Kent and Strathearn

Queen Victoria
(1819–1901)

King Edward VII
(1841–1910)

Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Earl of Athlone, 1890

Prince Albert Victor
(1864–1892)
Duke of Clarence and Avondale, Earl of Athlone

King George V
(1865–1936)

Dukedom of Clarence and Avondale and Earldom of Athlone extinct, 1892

King George VI
(1895–1952)

Queen Elizabeth II
(1926–2022)

Earl of Forfar (2nd creation), 2019

Prince Edward
(b. 1964)
Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Forfar

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Chisholm 1911, p. 43.
^ ^a ^b Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 294–295.
^ MacKinnon, Charles (1992). Scottish Highlanders (2nd ed.). New York, New York: Barnes & Noble Publishing. p. 226. ISBN 0880299509. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
^ Warden, Alexander (1885). Angus or Forfarshire, the land and its people, descriptive and historical: Volume 5 (5th ed.). Dundee, Scotland: C. Alexander & Company. p. 12. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
^ "Ogilvie Armorial Bearings".
^ Fraser, William (7 May 1885). "The Douglas book". Edinburgh, Printed by T. and A. Constable, at the Edinburgh university press – via Internet Archive.

Bibliography

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Angus, Earls of". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 43–44.
Roberts, John L., Lost Kingdoms: Celtic Scotland in the Middle Ages, (Edinburgh, 1997), pp. 53–4