Douglas book > Angus memoirs

162 SIR GEORGE DOUGLAS OF PITTENDRIEGH.
suppressed, and their possessions distributed among the lords of the English faction in
reward for their services.
The English Council ultimately accepted and acted on the plan of campaign sub-
mitted by Sir George Douglas, who, however, managed to keep himself and his friends
for a considerable time from active participation with the English wardens. Douglas
even gave his consent along with his brother to the marriage of the young Queen
Mary to the Dauphin of France. 1 But the wardens were very wrathful at the repeated
delays, and threatened severe retribution if he proved false. The English faction had
frequent consultations together, to consider what was to be done in view of the pressure
brought to bear upon them by Lord Wharton, the English warden at Carlisle. On
one occasion, 6th March 1547-8, they met at Leynton (Linton?) with a servant of
Lord Wharton, when Sir George Douglas " related all his proceedings and departure
with my lord lieutenant, and was very pleasant." It was agreed that the Earl of
Angus should sign a blank paper, wherein Sir George Douglas would gather certain
articles of their demands upon the governor as to the abbacy of Arbroath and others,
which it was thought Arran would not yield, and so cause for quarrel would arise,
which would give occasion for their concluding with England. Douglas remarked,
that if he could have the Lord Protector assured to him, he and his brother would
stand with England, but he would credit the word or writing of none other. Before
dismissing Wharton's servant to tell what had taken place, Angus desired him to
tell Wharton that he had done him and his much displeasure, and he wished that
it should be discontinued. " And tell the Lord Warden from me," said Sir George
Douglas, " that my brother and I always pleased the last King of England, the king
that now is, my lord Protector, lords of the Council and Lord Lieutenant, and all
others in authority for England, except Lord Wharton, and he can never be pleased
with us, and if he will not be satisfied, we will learn him his A B C again." 2
Wearied out by the protracted delays of the Scots, the English Council instructed
Lord Grey to advance into the Lothians. Grey did so, and among other places
which he assaulted and carried, was the castle of Dalkeith, where he captured the
Master of Morton and his mother, Lady Pitteudriech, with other members of the
1 Letter, M. d'Oysel to Due d'Auuiale, 24th London. " 1 have answered Angus and George
June 1548. Teulet's Papiers d'Etat relatifs a Douglas," Wharton adds, " by the same man
l'Ecosse, Tome i. pp. 670, 672. that when I was a boy I learned my ABC,
and if George Douglas aud I be in the same
- Letter, Lord Wharton to the Lord Pro- school together, I shall learn him to spell
tector, 14th March 154S, in State Paper Office, and read two of the first lines."