Douglas book > Angus memoirs

HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH SIR PHILIP SIDNEY. 339
himself remained at large, sheltering himself at a distance from Edinburgh,
until the final tragedy of his uncle's death. 1
Angus was at Hawick when the news reached him, and he at once fled
across the Border to Carlisle, believing that his life also was in danger. 2
From Carlisle he wrote to Sir Francis Walsingham, thanking Queen Elizabeth
for her former kindness, and expressing his constant attachment to her
service. The Earl sends Mr. Archibald Douglas to explain on his behalf the
reasons of his leaving Scotland, the disturbed condition of that country, 3 and
his hope of a summons to the Queen's presence. This was accorded, and he
was well received at the English Court, and honourably entertained there. 4
Among his companions in exile were the sons of Morton and several others of
the Earl's own surname, with Mr. David Hume of Godscroft, and other
personal attendants. From this point Godscroft seems to have been more
or less in personal contact with the Earl, and in tracing his history we have
now the evidence of an eye-witness. From Hume we learn that the Earl's
courtesy and worth made him acceptable to all. But the best testimony to his
character is the fact that he was the chosen companion and friend of the
famous Sir Philip Sidney. The dispositions and inclinations of the two young
men were alike, while they were nearly of the same age. and so we learn that
as far as was possible, they were constantly together. Sir Philip was then
1 Register of Privy Council, vol. iii. pp. 3 30th June 1581. Vol. iv. of this work,
370, 372, 377-380, 387. pp. 177, 17S.
4 Calderwood, vol. iii. p. 576. This his-
2 Calderwood, vol. iii p. 576. A few days torian elsewhere [voL viii. App. p. 212]
after the death of Morton, the moveable states that between the end of August and
goods of Angus were declared escheat, and beginning of October 1581, Angus, with the
he and his adherents were forfeited by Parlia- Laird of Carmichael and others, made a de-
ment in the following October. [Pitcairn's scent on the borders and burned Langhope
Criminal Trials, vol. i. pp. 96, 97 ; Acts of [Langholm ?] and four miles round, carrying
the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. iii. pp. 197- off the Captain a prisoner to England. But
204.] this statement lacks corroboration.