DOUGLAS, Archibald of Whittingham, parson of Douglas then of St Mungo's parish, Glasgow ^{1 3}

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  General Notes:

Although he is referred to in secondary sources as 'Sir', Archibald Douglas does not appear to have been knighted. The Douglas Archives makes this clear:

"In May 1581, as part of the forfeiture of the Earl of Morton, it was ruled that 'That Mr. Archibald Douglas shall renounce all the right of the parsonage of Glasgow, and allow and ratify the disposition thereof made, and of his living, to the Prior of Blantyre'."

and

"John Chamberlain wrote to Dudley Carleton on March 30, 1603, 'Archimbald Douglas the Scot that had been a dealer and juggler on both sides died here [London] likewise in a good hour before he was afraid.'

Mr Archibald Douglas" was buried at St Dionis Backchurch on 5 March 1603." ⁴

Archibald married Jean HEPBURN, daughter of Patrick HEPBURN 3rd Earl of Bothwell, 'the fair earl' and Agnes SINCLAIR, about 1577.¹ (Jean HEPBURN was born about 1537 and died before 27 July 1599 ³.)

  Marriage Notes:

(at Douglas in 1560)

"Archibald Douglas, who had been trained in France for the priesthood, conformed to Protestantism, and became parson of Douglas about 1560. He is still so described in 1570. In 1571 he became parson of Glasgow [vide St Mungo's, Glasgow]."

(at St Mungo's, Glasgow in 1571)

"Archibald Douglas, M.A., younger son of Richard D., son of James, second Earl of Morton ; was parson of Douglas about 1560, nominated an extraordinary 13th Nov. 1565, and 2nd June 1568, an ordinary Lord of Session.

Suspected of being cognisant of the murder of both Rizzio and Darnley he retired to France for nearly three years and a half, till he was permitted to return. While holding his judicial appointment, he was presented to the parsonage of G., by the regent, James, Earl of Moray. The Commissioner (Andrew Hay) refused to give him letters-testimonial, and the question came before the General Assembly in March 1570, who confirmed the decision of the Commissioner. D. appealed to the King and Council, to Parliament, to the Lords of Session, or any of them that should be found Judge-competent. The presentation was recorded 20th Aug. 1571. The Commissioners of the Kirk, 23rd Jan. following, allowed him possession, while they decerned he should pay half yearly £100 of stipend to David Wemyss from Whitsunday 1572. A graphic account of his examination for the benefice is given in Bannatyne's Journal.

He was found to have assisted the Queen's faction in April same year, and was sent prisoner to Stirling, yet restored to the bench 11th Nov. 1578. He was accused of being accessory to the death of Henry, Lord Darnley, before His Majesty and Council 31st Dec. 1580, but receiving immediate information at his residence of Morham Castle, he made his escape to England early the following morning. He was superseded in his office as a judge, and forfeited in Parliament, with others, 28th Nov. 1581 for treason. He was enabled to return in 1586, by the influence of Patrick, Master of Gray, and Randolph, the English ambassador; had letters of rehabilitation 21st, and was tried for the treasonable conspiracy and murder of Darnley, but acquitted 26th May that year, though a feeling of his guilt was generally prevalent.

After this he was sent as ambassador to England, and is understood to have contributed greatly to the condemnation of the unfortunate Queen Mary. From this position also he was dismissed, by Sir Robert Melvill, in 1587. He was, for non-residence and neglect of duty, deposed from the parsonage 13th March 1593, which he demitted 4th July 1597. He marr. 1577, Lady Jane Hepburne, widow of John, Master of Caithness. - [Brunton and Haig's Senators ; Booke of the Kirk ; Lindsay's Lives, ii. ; Scots Peerage, ii.,161 ; Acts of Parl., iii.; Bannatyne's Journ.; Pitcairn's Crim. Trials, i. ; Dict. Nat. Biog.]"

from Fasti Ecclesiae ¹

Archibald next married Helen LUMSDEN, daughter of James LUMSDEN of Ardrie and Unnamed WIFE heiress of Ardrie (or Airdrie, Fife), about 1597.² (Helen LUMSDEN was born about 1569.)

  Marriage Notes:

"Sir John (Hamilton) ..... took, to his third wife, (January 1632,) Dame Helen, daughter of James Lumisdaine of Ardrie, in the county of Fife, and relict of Sir Archibald Douglas of Whittingham."

from Memoirs of the House of Hamilton

Note:

Archibald Douglas was not, in fact, 'Sir'.