The title Earl of Morton was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1458 for James Douglas of Dalkeith . Along with it, the title Lord Aberdour was granted. This latter title is the courtesy title for the eldest son and heir to the Earl of Morton.
History
Douglases of Dalkeith
The Douglases of Dalkeith are descended from Andrew Douglas of Herdmanston (d.b. 1277), younger son of Archibald I, Lord of Douglas (fl. c. 1198-1238). He was succeeded by his son William Douglas of Herdmanston , a signatory of the Ragman Roll in 1296. William of Herdmanston's son, James Douglas of Lothian succeeded his father and produced two sons, Sir William Douglas and Sir John Douglas . Sir William Douglas, known as the Knight of Liddesdale or the Flower of Chivalry obtained the privileges of the barony of Dalkeith, in Midlothian , in 1341, and the barony of Aberdour , in Fife , in 1342. Following his murder at the hands of his godson William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas , both baronies passed to his nephew, James Douglas, 1st Lord Dalkeith . James Douglas was confirmed in this position when his title was ratified by the Earl of Douglas prior to 1370. The lands of Dalkeith, and Aberdour , in Fife , were combined as a single barony in 1386, with the principal seat at Dalkeith Castle , and a secondary residence at Aberdour Castle .[ 1]
Earldom of Morton
The 4th Lord Dalkeith succeeded to his estates upon the resignation of his father c. 1457 and in 1458 was raised to the peerage as Earl of Morton , prior to his marriage to Joanna , the deaf and dumb daughter of King James I .[ 1] Earl of Buccleuch by the 7th Earl in 1642.
In 1538, James V summoned the 3rd Earl before the Privy Council for non-payment of his feudal dues,[ 1] Inverness .[ 2] Brechin , in Angus , where he signed a deed resigning his lands to his kinsman Robert Douglas of Lochleven , who was then compelled to resign the lands in turn to James V.[ 2] Earl of Arran assisted Morton in reclaiming his lands, including Aberdour. In return their sons were to marry two of Morton's three daughters. Pittendreich's son James (1525-1581) married the heiress, Elizabeth, and succeeded to the earldom in 1553.[ 2]
The 4th Earl of Morton became Regent of Scotland in 1572, for the infant James VI and I .[ 3] Lord Darnley in 1567, and was executed in 1581.[ 4] attainted between 1581 and 1586, although the nephew-in-law of the 4th earl (also grandson of the 3rd earl), John Maxwell, 7th Lord Maxwell (1552-1593) called himself "5th Earl of Morton" at this time. Although Archibald Douglas, 8th Earl of Angus (1555-1588) was confirmed as 5th Earl of Morton in 1586,[ 5] Earl of Nithsdale (1620) in lieu of Morton.
James Douglas, 1st Earl of Morton (d. 1493)John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton (d. 1513)James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton (d. 1548) ("abeyant" 1548)James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton (c. 1516-1581) (abeyance terminated 1550, attainted 1580/81)John Maxwell, 7th Lord Maxwell (1552-1593), a grandson of the 3rd Earl, succeeded briefly as Earl of Morton.Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Morton (c. 1555-1588), also 8th Earl of Angus (attainder reversed 1586)William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton (1540-1606)William Douglas, 7th Earl of Morton (1582-1648)Robert Douglas, 8th Earl of Morton (d. 1649)William Douglas, 9th Earl of Morton (d. 1681)James Douglas, 10th Earl of Morton (d. 1686)James Douglas, 11th Earl of Morton (d. 1715)Robert Douglas, 12th Earl of Morton (d. 1730)George Douglas, 13th Earl of Morton (1662-1738)James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton (c. 1703-1768)Sholto Charles Douglas, 15th Earl of Morton (1732-1774)George Douglas, 16th Earl of Morton (1761-1827)George Sholto Douglas, 17th Earl of Morton (1789-1858)Sholto John Douglas, 18th Earl of Morton (1818-1884)Sholto George Douglas, 19th Earl of Morton (1844-1935)Sholto Charles John Hay Douglas, 20th Earl of Morton (1907-1976)John Charles Sholto Douglas, 21st Earl of Morton (b. 1927)Heir Apparent: his son John Stewart Sholto Douglas, Lord Aberdour (b. 17 January 1952 )
His Heir Apparent is John David Sholto Douglas, Master of Aberdour (b. 28 May 1986 )
Seats
Historical residences of the Earl of Morton include:
See also
Baron Penrhyn , a title created, in 1866, for the younger brother of the 17th Earl.
References
^ a b c Apted, p.5
^ a b c Apted, p.6
^ Apted, p.7
^ Apted, p.8
^ Apted, p.9
Apted, Michael (1996) Aberdour Castle . HMSO. ISBN 1900168219
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Italics in entries mean the peer also holds a previously listed earldom of higher precedence
