William Douglas, 9th Earl of Angus (died 1 July 1591, at Glenbervie) was a Scottish nobleman and zealous supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots.
He was the eldest son of Sir Archibald Douglas of Glenbervie, Knt., by his spouse Agnes, daughter of William Keith, 3rd Earl Marischal, and upon the death of Archibald Douglas, 8th Earl of Angus without issue, William succeeded to that Earldom as heir-male, in 1588.
Sir Robert Douglas states that "Sir William Douglas of Glenbervie (as he was styled prior to his succession to the earldom) was a man of great honour and integrity, and a steady friend of Queen Mary. He accompanied her in her expedition to the north, and took part in the battle at Corrichie in 1562."
He had two charters under The Great Seal of Scotland, from Queen Mary, of the lands and barony of Glenbervie, Kemnay, and several others.
The Earl's death was purported to have been caused by witchcraft. During the North Berwick witch trials, one Barbara Napier was accused and found guilty of bewitching the Earl to his death. Napier was subsequently burnt at Edinburgh's Castlehill.[1]
The earl married Egidia (or Giles), daughter of Sir Robert Graham of Morphie, and had issue nine sons and four daughters:
From The Scottish Nation:
| “ | ..., Sir William Douglas of Glenbervie, succeeded as ninth earl. He was the son of Sir Archibald Douglas of Glenbervie, grandson of the fifth earl. The earldom was claimed by James the Sixth, who brought a suit against Sir William, for reducing the charters connected with the title, but on 7th March 1588-9, a decision was given in favour of the latter. The ninth earl died in July 1591, in the 59th year of his age. By his wife, daughter of Sir Robert Graham of Morphie, he had six sons and four daughters. His second son, Sir Robert, was the first baronet of the Glenbervie family.[2] | ” |
| Peerage of Scotland | ||
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| Preceded by Archibald Douglas |
Earl of Angus 1588–1591 |
Succeeded by William Douglas |
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