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Of William the third Earle of Angus, and second of that Name (of William)
TO George succeeded William his sonne by Mary Stuart, as all our writers do testifie, and all men acknowledge, He was amongst those that were committed to prison by King James the first, in the year 1424. After this he was employed to receive the Castle of Dumbarre, when the Earle of March was imprisoned, in the year 1435. the 29. of King James the first his Raigne, he was made warden of the * 1.1 middle March.
In the year 1436. he was sent against Percie, who, either by private authority, or publick allowance, had entred Scotland with 4000. he was about the same number: and had with him in company men of note, Adam Hepburne of Hales, Alexander Ramsay of Dalhousie, Sir Gilbert Johnstoun of Elphinston. They fought at Piperdain or Piperdean (as * 1.2 say Boetius and Holinshed) perhaps Harpardean by Hadington: for we see that most of them are Lowthian-men that are remarked to be in his company, yet it is hard to think that Percie could come so farre in with so few. The Earle of Angus was there victor, beginning his first Warres upon Percie, fatall to the Name belike. There were slain of the English 400. together with Sir Hénry Cliddisdalo, Sir John Ogle, Sir Richard Per∣cie * 1.3 Knights; taken prisoners 1500. Of the Scots one onely of note was slaine, Sir Gilbert Johnstoun of Elphinston (Buchanan cals him Alexander, * 1.4 but amisse) a gentleman of singular approved vertue (sayes Buchanan) and Boetius tells the manner, while he pursues the enemy too eagerly.
Before this, Archbald Earle of Douglas, and Wigton was gone into France male-contented with the government, having been twice com∣mitted prisoner, to receive his Dukedome of Turaine. Every mi•…•…-hap is good for some body: that gave occasion and way to this employment, for while the house of Douglas was present, who but they for service a∣gainst England? who but they were able to do it? Now they being ab∣sent, who but a Douglas? A branch of that tree, and not long since come of it, especially being the Kings Cousin so near. So they begin, and so they shall continue with the like vertue.
We hear not whom he married, nor any thing of his children, save of his sonne James who did succeed to him. Neither is it known when he died precisely: onely we finde that he was dead before the 1437. the 27. of Februarie. So that reckoning from the first year of his fathers marri∣age (in the 1398.) he hath lived some 41. years in all, and 13. years Earle, from the 1424.