Douglas book > Angus memoirs

HIS LAST INTERVIEW WITH KING JAMES V. 123
Emperor Charles v. 1 But before the letters reached Scotland, the Treasurer was
included in the sentence of forfeiture pronounced, on 5th September 1528, against his
nephews, Archibald, Earl of Angus, and George Douglas of Pittendreich. 2
Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie went to England with his exiled relatives, and
took part with them in the numerous forays with which they harassed the Scottish
Borders between 1528 and 1533. Some authorities say he also served in France.
He tired, however, of exile, and secretly returned to Scotland, hoping to gain the ear
of James the Fifth ; and Godscroft relates an affecting story of his encounter with the
king. Douglas, he says, taking occasion while the king was hunting in Stirling
Park, threw himself in the monarch's way as the latter returned to the castle. The
king saw him at a distance, and remarked to one of his attendants, Yonder is my
Greysteel, Archibald of Kilspindie, if he be alive. The attendant expressed a doubt,
but as the king drew near, Douglas fell upon his knees, and craved pardon, promising
to meddle no more with politics. To this the king made no reply, but continued to ride
at a good round pace up the hill. Kilspindie followed, and though he wore a secret coat
of mail, he arrived at the castle gate as soon as the king. There he sat down on a
stone outside the castle, and begged the royal servants for a drink, as he was weary
and thirsty, but they fearing the king's displeasure, refused. King James afterwards
rebuked them for this discourtesy, and sent a message to Kilspindie to go to Leith and
wait his pleasure. A further order was sent to him to retire to France for a little
while, which Douglas did, but died there shortly after. 8
Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie married, about 1515, a lady who is described as
"a rich widow in Edinburgh." This was probably Isobel Hoppar, who is named as
his spouse in a royal charter of 1526, and survived her husband. 4 They had a son —
Archibald, who succeeded to his father when the forfeiture was recalled in 1543,
! Letters and Papers, etc., Henry virr., the Scottish Court, writing in 152S, remarks
vol. iv. No. 5044. that Archibald Douglas was "totally ordered"
„ . . c ,, I,.- iCA.ii by his wife. [Registrnm Magni Sigilli, vol. iii.
- Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, J L ° ° ° '
vol. ii. pp. 322-324, 326. No ' 356 ' Letters aud Pa P ers > etc -> vo1 - "•
No. 779 ; iv. No. 49S6.] As relict of Archi-
3 Godscroft's History, edition 1044, p. 262. , ., „ , ,.„..... , ,
■" ' r bald Douglas of Kilspindie she granted a
The date on which this incident occurred is ,. , , ,, T , ,-.,,. . ,,7-n-
discharge, on 18th July 153b, to William,
given in a nearly contemporary record as 29th Abbot q£ CrogaMgndj for , „„ merkS) part o£
August 1534. f Diurnal of Occurrents in Scot- , . .. , . ., , ,
a L a sum due for the surrender ol the ward and
land, 1513-1571, Bannatyne Club, p. 19.] non . entry of the Ear i of Cassillis. [Original
4 Thomas Magnus, English Ambassador at in Charter-chest of the Marquis of Ailsa.]