The New Student's Reference Work/Douglas (family)

Doug′las, an ancient noble family of Scotland whose family annals date from the time of William de Douglas, who lived about 1175-1213. From him was descended “the good Sir James,” who fought with Bruce at Bannockburn, and, after Bruce's death, fulfilled his last request, to carry his heart to the Holy Land. William Douglas, Earl of Liddesdale, and Sir William Douglas, descended from “the good Sir James,” were among the most famous warriors of their time. Other members of the family obtained the earldoms of Angus and Morton. The power of the family was once so great that it was commonly said: “No man may touch a Douglas or a Douglas' man; for if he does he is sure to come by the worse.” The family continually engaged in feuds and warfare on the border, especially with the Percy family. A famous member of the family was Archibald, called Bell the Cat. At a meeting of nobles who were debating about a plan to get rid of one of the king's favorites and considering who should do it, he started up, exclaiming: “I will bell the cat.” He tried to persuade King James IV not to make the invasion of England, which ended in the battle of Flodden; and soon after the great defeat he died heartbroken. The Douglas family is now represented by the earls of Selkirk.