Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus

Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus, called the Great Earl or Bell the Cat ( * ca 1453, † 1514) was a Scottish nobleman of the family of Douglas, and High Chancellor of Scotland.

Life

He was the son of George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus and Isabel Sibbald. Archibald succeeded his father as Earl of Angus in 1462.

His nickname " Bell the Cat" and "The Great Earl " he received due to his courage in the struggle against the favoritism of King James III. , Namely the capture of Robert Cochrane, Earl of Mar, a favorite of the king. He secured his family's significant growth in wealth and lands. From 1493 to 1497 Archibald held the post of High Chancellors of Scotland.

Together with Alexander Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany, he was among the allies of King Edward IV of England, recognized the English sovereignty over Scotland and opposed it against James III. as well as James IV.

Archibald took part in the Battle of Flodden Field, where were his two sons with Elizabeth Boyd. The older of the two, George, Master of Angus, was the father of his title heir Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus. The younger William is the ancestor of the later Dukes of Hamilton and Brandon, as well as the William Douglas, 9th Earl of Angus.