Douglas book > Angus memoirs

138 GEORGE DOUGLAS, MASTER OF ANGUS.
not brook a Douglas, or eveu a relative or adherent of that race,
in his presence. But such, it is said, was his respect for
Alison Douglas, that when her eldest son, George Hume, was
placed by the king in ward, the otherwise implacable sovereign,
according to Godscroft, always received her honourably, and heard
her entreaties for her son willingly, although he excused himself
for non-compliance with her prayers.
Godscroft further relates an interesting story of how she
changed her religion. Brought up in the Bomish faith, she was a
devout observer of its rites, and liberally entertained the Bomish
monks, especially those of the order of friars mendicants. Hoping
further to engage her favour, these praised her before the people
for her devotion to the Virgin Mary, and invented a story which
they sedulously disseminated, that happening during Lent to open
an oyster, she found enclosed an image of the Virgin. This so dis-
pleased her that from that time she would admit none of that
fraternity into her presence, and suspected a religion which sup-
ported itself by lies. On her deathbed, when pressed by those
around to kiss the crucifix, she turned away with the words that
her hope was not in trifles such as these, but in Christ, her sure
and only Saviour. 1
3. Janet, who married John, sixth Lord Glamis. On account of the
interest of her trial and execution on the charge of attempting
the life of King James the Fifth, a short account of her life is
appended.
4. Margaret, who married, in 1513, Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig.
He was for many years guardian of the West Marches. Of that
marriage there was issue three daughters, Janet, Margaret, and
1 Familia Humia Wedderburnensi, by Hume of Godscroft, pp. 20, 39, 40.