James Douglas, 7th Earl of Douglas

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James Douglas, 7th Earl of Douglas, 1st Earl of Avondale (1371–24 March 1443), known as 'the Gross' was a Scottish nobleman. He was the second son of Archibald Douglas, 3rd Earl of Douglas and Joan Moray.

In 1437 he was created Earl of Avondale. He succeeded to the earldom of Douglas on the summary execution of his great-nephew William Douglas, 6th Earl of Douglas, and his brother David, in 1440. James Douglas was himself implicated in this attempt to neutralise the power of the 'Black' Douglas line.

[edit] Marriage and issue

He married first Beatrice Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany and Margaret Graham, Countess of Menteith. They had one daughter.

Beatrice Douglas

He married second Beatrice Sinclair, daughter of Henry Sinclair, 2nd Earl of Orkney, around 1425. They had several children, including:-

William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas (1425–1452), who succeeded his father
James Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas (1426–1491), who succeeded his brother as 9th earl
Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray (1426–1455), James's twin
Hugh Douglas, Earl of Ormonde (d. 1455)
John Douglas, Lord of Balvenie
Janet Douglas who married Robert Fleming, 1st Lord Fleming
Margaret Douglas (d. 1473)

Peerage of Scotland
Preceded by William Douglas	Earl of Douglas 1440–1443	Succeeded by William Douglas
Preceded by New Creation	Earl of Avondale 1437–1443	Succeeded by William Douglas