Douglas book > Angus memoirs

APPOINTED KING'S LIEUTENANT-GENERAL, 1578. 333
Morton had not yet been formally relieved of his office, ere Angus
himself felt the influence of the new counsels, and was required to resign
certain of his appointments. Lord Maxwell was reinstated in his office of
warden of the West March, and Angus was charged to deliver the castles of
Lochmaben and Langholm. 1 Angus absented himself from the Privy Council
until after the date when the Earl of Mar had seized Stirling Castle, and
obtained the custody of the young king, when he became one of the sureties
for Mar's due discharge of his duties, 2 and apparently aided in keeping the
peace between parties, which was disturbed by Mar's action. The Earl then
again absented himself until Morton's return to power, and he was present
in the Convention which gave the late regent the first place in the Privy
Council. 3 From this date he supported his uncle's ministry in Council and
Parliament, and when Morton's opponents appeared in arms, the Earl was
appointed Lieutenant-general on behalf of the king, with full powers. 4 He
summoned the lieges to attend his banner, and marched from Stirling to give
battle to the insurgent nobles, who had advanced to Falkirk with a superior
force, but he was restrained by the advice of Morton. A duel between two
Borderers was fought in presence of the two armies, but no other engage-
ment took place. After keeping the field for one day, Angus retired by
desire of his uncle, who probably thought the other party too strong, and on
the 14th August hostilities were terminated by a treaty arranged through the
English ambassador. 6
1 Register of Privy Council, vol. ii. pp. 678, 3 Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland,
679. vol. iii. p. 121.
2 Ibid. p. 689. 3d May 1578. It is stated 4 Register of PrivyCouncil, vol. iii. pp. 1-12.
that Angus went to Stirling on this occasion 5 The campaign lasted from 10th August
at the special request, by letter, of the young 1578, the day of rendezvous, until 14th August,
king, but this was no doubt done at Mar's the day of agreement. Angus was appointed
instance. [Moysie's Memoir, Bannatyne Club on 29th July 1578 ; Ibid. pp. 12-22 ; Calder-
edition, p. 7.] wood, vol. iii. pp. 418-425.