History of the house and race of Douglas and Angus

HOUSE OF DOUGLAS. £
at stake both in his own conceit, and the estimation of his ene-
mies. In the mean time a certain nobleman disdaining to see
so bad a cause have so good success, out of his love to his
prince, and desire of honour, accompanied with his sons, and
followers made an onset upon these prevailing rebels, with such
courage and resolution, that he brought them to a stand, and
then heartening the discouraged fliers, both by word and ex-
ample, he turns the chace, and, instead of victory, they got a
defeat; for Donald's men being overthrown and fled, he him-
self was slain. This fact was so much the more noted as the
danger had been great, and the victory unexpected. There-
fore the king being desirous to know of his lieutenants the
particulars of the fight, and inquiring for the author of so
valiant an act, the nobleman being there in person, answer
was made unto the king in the Irish tongue (which was then
only in use) Sholto Du glasse, that is to say, Behold yonder
black gray man, pointing at him, with the finger and design-
ing him by his colour and complexion, without more ceremony
or addition of titles of honour. The king considering his
service and merits in preserving his crown, and delighted with
that homely designation, rewarded him royally with many
great lands, and imposed upon him the name of Douglas,
which hath continued with his posterity until this day. And
from him the shire and county, which he got, is called still
Douglasdale, the river that watereth it, Douglas-river, the
castle which he built therein, Douglas-castle. This narration,
besides that it is generally received, and continued as a truth
delivered from hand to hand is also confirmed by a certain
manuscript of great antiquity, extant in our days in the hands
of one Alexander Macduff" of Tillysaul, who dwelt at Moor-
alehouse near Strathbogie. There (at his dwelling-houce)
William earl pf Angus, who died at Paris 1616, being con-
fined to the north in the year 1 595, did see and peruse it.
Neither doth this relation cross or disagree with any thing set
down in our histories: for although they do not mention this
man, nor his fact, yet they all speak of this usurper, and of
his attempt and overthrow in the days of Solvathius, about tke