A general history of Scotland together with a particular history of the Houses of Douglas and Angus / written by Master David Hume of Godscroft.

Of William Douglas father of the honourable familie of the SCOTI in Italy.

THis William was son to the first Hugh, and grandchilde to Sholto, younger brother to the second Hugh: he it is that was father to the noble familie of the Scoti in Placenza in Italy, which fell out thus, as it is related by the Italian Historians, agreeing with ours.

Achaius king of Scotland having succeeded to Solvathius, did enter into league with Charlemaigne, which league hath continued betwixt the Scots and French without breach on either side ever since untill these our dayes; whereupon when the Emperour Charles went into Italy to re∣presse the insolencies of Desiderius King of the Lombards committed a∣gainst the Sea of Rome, Achaius as his confederate did send him foure thousand choice men under the conduct of his brother William, a pious and valarous young Prince.

Amongst other of his Captains that went with him, this William Dou∣glas was one of the chief, and had the leading of the men of armes. The Emperour having restored Pope Leo the third to the dignity of his Seat, as he returned through Tuscanie, amongst other his notable acts, he resto∣red also the Commonwealth of Florence to their former libertie; in which exploit the valour and actions of the Scottish Prince William were much remarked: the Florentines to shew their thankfulnesse to the Em∣perour took to their Armes the Red Lillie, a part of the French Armes, the colour only being changed: And in memorie of the valour of Prince William they did instit•…•…te publike playes yearely, in which they crowned a Lion with great ceremonie and pomp, ordaining also that certain Lions should be kept upon the charges of the common Thesaurarie, because William had a Lion for his Armes, which is also the Armes of the Kings of Scotland. They have also a prophesie in Florence, which saith,

While crowned Lions live in Florence field, To forraine Armes their State shall never yeeld.

This Prince William, brother to Achaius King of Scotland, passed into Germanie, and gave himselfe wholly to the warres, where for his service by his sword, having obtained large Territories, he led a single life all his dayes, and thinking to make Christ his heire, he founded and doted fifteen Abbacies for those of the Scottish Nation. It is he (saith Major) who is named in songs made of him, Scottish Gilmore. Now while as the Empe∣rour and Prince William were in their returne from Italy towards France, William Douglas in his voyage through Plaisance did fall into a heavie dis∣ease,

and not being able to go along with the Emperour, stayed at Plai∣sance till he recovered his health. And then considering the toile and dan∣ger of so long a journey, as it would be into his own Countrey, he resol∣ved rather to remain there, then to hazzard his person any more, which such travell would have greatly endangered: wherefore to gain the good will of the Citizens of Plaisance, and to strengthen himselfe (being a stranger) by a good alliance, he took to wife a daughter of Antonio Spetti∣no, one of the most eminent and honourable houses in that Citie: by her he had many children, of whom are descended those of the most noble Familie of the Scoti, who are so called by reason of this William, their Ancestour, who was a Scottishman, the name of his Country being bet∣ter knowne, and more remarkable, then either his own proper name, or the name of his Familie. This originall of the Scoti in Plaisance is colle∣cted and confirmed, 1. by the testimonie of the Italian Writers; 2. by the tree and genealogie of that familie; 3. and by their Coat of Arms which they give, being the same with the ancient Coat of the Douglasses, with some difference.

1 Touching our Authors, they are such as have written the Historie of Plaisance, which is followed forth by Umbertus Locatus, and Francis∣cus Sansovinus. This last (Sansovinus) in the first book of his Historie, De primo origine delle case illustri d' Italia, writeth thus: Quando Carolo Magno fece l' Impresa in Italia contra Desiderio Re de Longobardi (l' anno 779) hebbe per suo Conduttiere di huomini di armi un Gulielmo Scozzese della Familia di Conti di Duglasi, &c. as we have set down before. Onely he calls it the 779 year, which our Writers call 800, or 801. There he showes how this House was illustrious from the very first beginning thereof: And for their rank they held in that Citie, he declares that it was one of the foure Families which did distribute the Offices of the City, which were these; Scotta, Landra, Anguiscola, Fontona. And they grew at last so numerous, and so famous both for Letters and Armes, that having purchased many Rents, and great Lands and Territories, together with many Friends and Alliance, they acquired the Soveraignty of that Citie, and became abso∣lute Lords and Princes thereof. So that from them when they were Prin∣ces of Plaisance did spring the Counts or Earles of 1 Vegelino, 2 Agaza∣no, 3 and Sarmetti. They have beene allied with the chiefe Families in those Provinces, the 1 Rangoni, 2 Fieshi, 3 Ressi, 4 Pallavicini, 5 Lodroni, 6 Strozzi, 7 Conti d' Arco: and the like. Then he reckons divers particu∣lar persons, and namely (which doth serve to confirme this deduction) Donatus Scotio Bishop of Bobio, (who lived in the yeare 846, or 48. who built a Monasterie without the walls of Plaisance, which he dedicated to the memory and honour of Saint Bride (Patronesse of Douglas) in remem∣brance that hee was a Douglas, as is probable. He built also a Church within the walls, which he gave to the Friers of the Monasterie of Bobio, who were of Saint Colme (or Columbanus) Order, who was Abbot of I∣colmekill an Island amongst the Scottish Hebrides. And this he did (saith Sansovino) Non solamente per l' amor de Dio, ma anchora perche San Columba∣no fu di Hibernia Isola de Scotia: Not onely for the love of God, but be∣cause Saint Colme (or Columbanus) was of Ireland, an Island of Scotland,

so he thought being a forreigner, being the Scots and Irish are mutually descended each of other. Then comming to speak of their worth and va∣lour, he reckons up above six and twenty persons who were ever valorous in whatsoever fortune, good or bad, and had been in great employments continually for the space of two hundred eighty five yeares together, un∣der the Emperour Henry the fourth, Charles the fourth, and Sigismond: Also under John King of Bohemia, and Duke John Maria, in divers pla∣ees, at Pavie, Candie, in Cyprus, in Albania, Famagusta, at the Isle of Thin against the Turks: in all which services they behaved themselves valorously, and discharged their places with credit and honour. There were some also famous for learning, as Christophero Doctor of the Lawes, and Bishop of Cavaillon (in Provence of France) and Fiderico an excellent Jurisconsult, and who hath written learnedly. At last he relates how they were overthrown by the Duke of Millain, who besieged Alberto Vechio, the elder, and forced him to render upon composition, by which he gave divers Castles; Lands; and Territories, and divers Jurisdictions; with a competent estate and means. And here he reckons up above ten or twelve Castles which they still possesse, all famous and honourable, with the greatest priviledges that can be.

2. As for the Tree and Genealogie of these Scoti, in it we have first this our 1 William Douglas, 2 then David, 3 Lanfrancus, who had foure sonnes, 1 Johannes, 2 Raynaldus, 3 Ruffinus, 4 Rollandus. Johannes had Albertus, who begat foure sons; 1 Petrus, of whom we finde no succes∣sion; 2 Nicholaus, of whom are descended the houses of Fombii, Guar∣damilii, and Cassaligii; 3 Franciscus, or Francus, of whom are the Countes of Volgolino; Angazano, and Sarmetto, and those of Gragnani; 4 Ja∣cobus, father of the Familie of the Castri sti Johannis. Lanfrancus second son Raynaldus was Progenitor to the Gravahi and Varsii. 3 Ruffinus his third son was Author of the Momaghi, Magnani, & domorum del Boscho. 4 OF Rollandus his fourth son are descended the Passano, and Aygveriae. These, with their off-spring, have multiplied and spread themselves into divers parts of Italie. Also they are found in the Marquisate of Salluce, in France, in Guienne, and about Bourdeaux, where they are knowne by the names of Houglas, having corrupted the originall name, as strangers are wont to doe. There are also of these Scoti in the towne of Antwerp in Brabant, amongst which Petrus and Cornelius Scoti, inhabitants and mer∣chants there of the best sort, who being lately challenged and interrupted by the Magistrates thereof, for presuming to set up the Douglas Armes upon the tombs of their fathers, did send over into Scotland, in the yeare 1619. a messenger of purpose (Alexander Seaton by name) with their seve∣rall letters signed with the names of Scoti, alias Douglassi, directed unto the Right Honourable William Earle of Angus, Lord Douglas, &c. acknow∣ledging their descent from his House; and intreating his Honours testi∣moniall thereupon. Upon which request, the said Earle having examined the matter by his Evidents, and other Records, found their claime to be just and right, was moved to send them by the same messenger an authen∣tick Patent of their Pedegree under the broad Seale of Scotland, as like∣wise under the hands and several seales of William Earle of Angus, William

Earl of Morton, dated the 16. day of March 1621. In which patent the said Petrus and Cornelius extraction from this William father of the Scoti, and grandchild to Sholto, is deduced particularly, as may be seen in the publike Register of Scotland. 3. As for the ancient armes of the house of Douglas, they were three mullets (or starres) onely in a field azure, un∣till good Sir James did adde the crowned Hart, because King Robert Bruce did concredit to him the carrying of his heart, and burying of it at Jerusa∣lem. The Italian Douglasses (or Scoti) having come off before him, kept the field coat unaltered, as may be seen in their Tombes and other Mo∣numents: for in Plaisance, in Saint Lawrence Church, where there are above twelve severall Monuments and Tombes of that Family (it being their buriall place) whereof some are of marble, surrounded with iron grates, there is an ancient Monument of a noble Lady near unto the high altar, bearing these three mullets, with this inscription, Margareta Scota Contessa de Burla: but now the Italian Douglasses, or Scoti, give but two mullets, and between two they have drawn a beam argent, which begins at the right hand, and ends at the left. The reason of this difference is given in this letter sent by the Conte de Agazano to this present Earle of Angus, which we wil set down in his own words and language, as he sent it written, and signed with his owne hand, and sealed with his seal.

Ill^mo Sigr mio Ess_mo,

QUando 10 hebbi l' honore de vedere in Orleans vuestra illustrissima sig∣noria gli promessi fargli havere l' Arbore de la famiglia Scota de Pi∣acenza discesa d' illustrissima casa di Douglas. Ma perche non ho fin hora havuto comodita sicura di mandarlo, non ho pagato primo questo debito. Hora dunque con l' occasione di un gentil. huomo, mio amico, qui passa in Inghilterra non ho voluto tardare piu a mandarle come faccio detto arbore o Genca loigia; pregando vs ill^ma honorarmi, come mi promisse dell' arbore de la casa. Douglas in Scotia, almeno quella parte che la rigidezza di tempi passati di guerri in quel regno havera permesso di poter conservare la memoria, et io gli ne restero obli∣gatissimo. L' arma antiqua di Scoti en Piaienza era conforme a L' an∣tiche de Douglasso, come se vedo in ditta citta ne la chiesa de santo Lawrenzo. Ma al tempo che Ghelsi, & Ghibellini guerregiavano in Italia: Li Scoti, come partiali di Francesi furon elletti capi di Gelphi in Piabenzo. Et perche tutte le cose d' numero non paro si intendevano Ghibellini, furono donque necessitati di rendere il numero delle tre stelle o vero a quattro o vero a due. Ma giudacando che accrescerne non conveniva: Si resolvettero Levarne una, a la piazza della quale per memoria missero. La sbarra bianca che commiciando de le parte de∣stra va a finire a la sinistra, che si la sbarra comminciasse a la sinistra, & finisse a la destra, saria Ghibellini. Il champo che solea essere rizo fu d' Arrigo. 4. Im∣peratore dato insieme col Cimere d' un Pellicano, it Cimere a quei Scoti soli che le Portano di presente, & il campo a tutta la familia generallmente. Ho giudi∣cato bene fare questa poca digressione, accio vs Ill _a ^m hebbi qualche notitia per∣che su seguita la mutatione. Mi sara caro ch' ella si compiaccia screvermi lae ricevuta di detta Arbore, all arma del quale manca la corona sopra, che ci deve essere in loco del cimere. Et volendo mi honorare di sue lettere, in viandore all.

Illustrissimo & Ess ^mo S ^r Duca di Nevers mio capitano sicure, & io ne tenero obligo particulare a vs ill ^ma; a la quale per fine, insieme con Li Signori suoi fratelli, & figlioli hacio le mani, conpiegarle da N. S. ogni prosperita.

Di Paris le 8. Maggio. 1622.

Di vs ill^ma Devotissimo Ser∣vit^re & parente Il Conte Marc Antonio Scoto d' Agazano

My honourable Lord, William Douglas.

WHen I had the honour to see you at Orleans, I promised to send you the Tree of the Family of the Scoti of Plaisance; which is descended of the illustrious house of Douglas: But because I have not hi∣therto had a convenient opportunity of sending it safely, I have not yet paid this debt: Now therefore having found the occasion of this Gentle∣man my friend, who was to go into England I would delay no longer to send, the Tree or Genealogie: which I have done, beseeching your Lordship as you promised me to honour me with the Tree of the house of Douglas in Scotland; at least, so much of it as the iniquitie of times past, and the wars in that kingdome have suffered to remain undefaced, and undestroyed, and I shall rest your Lordships obliged for this fa∣vour.

The old armes of the Scoti in Plaisance, were conformed to the old armes of the Douglas, as may be seen in the foresaid Citie, in the Church of Saint Lawrance. But when the Ghelfs, and Ghibellins did warre one against another in Italy, the Scoti as partners of the French, were chosen to be heads of the Ghelfs in Plaisance. And because all things of an odde or unequall number were taken for Ghibelline, they were constrained to change the number of three starres, into either foure or two. But esteem∣ing that it was not fit to increase the number, they resolved to take one from them: in the place of which (in memory of it) they put a white or argent bar, which beginning at the right hand is drawn along, and ends at the left: for if it had begun at the left, and ended at the right hand, it had been Ghibelline. The field which was given by the Emperour Henry the fourth, together with a Pelican for the crest, which is the Crest of the Scoti onely, who carry it at this houre, and the field of the whole Family generally.

I have thought good to make this short digression, that your Lordship might have some knowledge wherfore this change was made in our coat:

your Lordship should do me a singular favour if you would be pleased to write unto me of the receit of this Tree, in the armes of which the Co∣ronet is wanting, because the Crest is the place where it should be, and to honour me with your letters, which you may send to my noble Cap∣tain the Duke of Nivers, and so they shall come safe to me; for which favour I shall be particularly obliged to your Lordship. So kissing your Lordships hands, together with thèse of your brethren and children, I pray the Lord to blesse you with all happinesse and prosperity.

Paris 8. May 1622.

Your Lordships humble servant and Cousen, Mark Antonio Scoto Counte d'Agazano.

This Tree was received by the Earle of Angus, who did also send to him the Tree of the house of Douglas.

Now besides all this which we have said, the Evidents and Monu∣ments, Charters and Writs of priviledge of their house, do witnesse the same: for in the priviledges granted to them by the Emperour Henry the fourth, and Sigismond, as also by Giovanni Maria Duke of Millain, the surname of Douglas is expresly inserted with the titles of Earles given to three severall persons of that house, first Francisco created Conte de vigo∣lino; Giovanni (his brother) Conte d'Agazano, by the said Duke, and to Alberto expressely intituled, Conte de Douglas & Vigolino, by Sigismond the Emperour.

Now after all this, I hope we may justly say with John Leslie Bishop of Rosse; Unde certissimâ conjecturâ assequimur illam perantiquam famil•…•…am quibus (Scoti cognomen) confirmabit jam usus loquendi, Placentiae florentem ex nobilissimâ nostrorum Duglassiorum comitum prosapiâ oriundam fuisse: that the Scoti in Plaisance are come of the Douglasses in Scotland. And thus much for William the second, sonne to Hugh the first, and grandchilde to Sholto.

Notes

• Boet lib. 10. pag. 195. Holl. p. 164. Scot. Chro. Anno 787