Home › M › Morton (JAMES DOUGLAS th EARL)

Morton (JAMES DOUGLAS th EARL)

JAMES DOUGLAS, 4th EARL OF, regent of Scotland, younger son of Sir George Douglas; born in Dalkeith, Scotland, in 1530. Having married a daughter of the 3d earl, he received the earldom on the death of his father-in-law, father-in-law, in 1553. He favored the Reformation, and was made Lord High- Chancellor of Scotland in 1563. Three years later he took part in the murder of Rizzio, and fled to England; obtained the queen's pardon, through the influence of Bothwell. Informed of the plot against Darnley, he refused to share in it. He was one of the leading opponents of Bothwell, was again made chancellor, and in 1572 appointed regent. Having made himself odious to the people, he resigned, but afterward resumed office. Charged as accessory to the murder of Darnley, he was tried, condemned, and beheaded by the instrument he himself had introduced into Scotland, June 3, 1581.