Douglas book > Angus memoirs

DISPUTE FOR PRECEDENCE WITH LORD HAMILTON, 1589. 373
of the decision of the case. 1 This charge and the expenses incurred in the
defence of his right, were a serious burden on the Earl during his short-lived
enjoyment of the earldom, and forced him to obtain licence from the king to
alienate to his son Eobert, the baronies of Douglas and Crawford Douglas,
and temporarily to mortgage many of the other lands of the earldom. 2
In the month of April 1589, William, Earl of Angus, assembled his
followers, and accompanied the king to Aberdeen against Huntly and others
who had risen in rebellion. The rising, however, was suppressed without
bloodshed, although a large force had been collected and massed at the Bridge
of Dee, to bar the king's progress. Angus and Lord Hamilton were
the principal in command under the king. 3 Godscroft relates an incident
which happened during the king's stay in Aberdeen, and which nearly
occasioned a serious dissension in the royal camp. Angus was about to enter
the king's chamber, for the purpose of seeking an interview, when Lord
Hamilton came up for the same object. A dispute arose as to precedence,
and as Angus had opened the door, even within the privy chamber itself the
disputants passed from words to " grips." Hearing the tumult, King James
1 This contract is referred to in various Maitland also got the lands of Braidwood,
discharges in the Douglas Charter-chest which the Earl by an additional obligation,
for portions of the sum exacted, and was dated 22d March 158S-9, pledged himself to
ratified by James in Parliament in 1592. make over and warrant to Sir John Maitland
[Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. iii. of Thirlestane, and his spouse, Dame Jean
p. 5SS ; vol. iii. of this work, pp. 292-294.] Fleming, to whom the king had granted the
These discharges show the method James lands, in conjunct fee. [Douglas Charter-
took of getting payment from the Earl. For chest.]
the most part the king borrowed money 2 Original licence under the Privy Seal,
from his courtiers and sent them to the dated at Dalkeith, 12th March 1590-91, in
Earl to get repaid. Godscroft and Calder- Douglas Charter-chest. The Earl was infeft
wood state the sum received by the king as in the lands of the Earldom in March, April,
40,000 merks ; but this may include a sum and May 1589. [Old Inventories in Douglas
of 5000 merks which the former states the and Glenbervie Charter-chest.]
chancellor claimed and received as his fee. 3 Registerof the Privy Council, vol. iv. p. 374.