DOUGLAS, WILLIAM [SSNE 92]

Surname

DOUGLAS

First name

WILLIAM

Title/rank

EARL OF MORTON

Nationality

SCOT

Region

MORTON, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

Social status

NOBILITY

Text source

William Douglas, Earl of Morton, was the elder half brother of Alexander, Second Earl of Spynie. Christian IV asked Charles I for permission to engage Douglas with his troops. Some of these were to be led by a member of Clanranald, but apparently this company never sailed. Rather, Morton raised 2000 men and led the Scottish contingent of 6000 men who sailed with the Duke of Buckingham to participate in the La Rochelle campaign in 1627. Upon the failure of that expedition, Christian IV once more tried to recruit Morton's levies, but with no success. Nevertheless, Morton appears on the various lists of officers in Danish service at this period, but it is unlikely he ever actually saw service for Christian IV.

Sources: G. Lind, Danish Data Archive 1573; Dictionary of National Biography; T. Riis, Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot (Odense, 1988), II, p.112; RH 1/2/448 Back bond by John McRannald of Ilandtyrum, Captain of Clanranald for levying 150 men to go under William Earl of Morton, 10 August 1627. For La Rochelle see Steve Murdoch, Britain, Denmark-Norway and the House of Stuart (East Linton, 2003), pp.67-69.

Service record

DENMARK-NORWAY, DANISH ARMY

Arrived 1626-10-26, as COLONEL

Departed 1628-10-04, as COLONEL

Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY