Douglas book > Angus memoirs

360 ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, EIGHTH EARL OF ANGUS, ETC.
The prominent events of the remaining years of the Earl's life are com-
paratively few. In April 1586 he was made warden of the West Marches
in succession to the Laird of Johnstone, and seems to have acted with vigour
— the situation being complicated by the Eoman Catholic tendencies of Lord
Maxwell. In the following September a sum of £15,000 was voted by a
Convention of Estates to pay an armed force on the Borders, and in November
Angus received a commission as Lieutenant-general of the Marches, with
command of the troops raised. He also received very full instructions from
the king himself, and carried them out so promptly and energetically that at
his courts held at Jedburgh in December, he hanged sixteen persons and took
pledges for others, who were afterwards dealt with by the Privy Council. 1
About the end of 1586 the Earl was made the subject of a false charge by
Lady Johnstone, to the effect that he resented the king's friendly dealing
with the Hamiltons ; but nothing came of it, except a warrant for the lady's
apprehension. 2 The attention of the Scottish Court was directed to more
important matters, the fate of Queen Mary being then in suspense, she having
been tried and found guilty of plotting against Elizabeth. While her execu-
tion was still delayed, special embassies were sent from Scotland, and the
Privy Council advised a voluntary subsidy to send envoys to Spain, France,
and Denmark, to treat for the queen's relief, or for assistance in case of her
death. 3 This shows that Elizabeth's conduct towards Queen Mary had
alienated even the supporters of the English alliance.
The excitement which followed Queen Mary's execution was taken
advantage of by the former favourite, James Stewart, Earl of Arran, who
suddenly returned to Scotland. Among other attempts to regain his
1 Calderwood, vol. iv. pp. 547, 602, 605 ; • Register of the Privy Council, vol. iv.
Register of the Privy Council, vol. iv. pp. 101, pp.108, 161.
Ill, 124, 146 ; Instructions, dated 16th No- 3 Ibid. pp. 129, 136 ; Calderwood, vol. iv.
vember 1586,vol. iii. of this work, pp. 285-290. p. 605.