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Margaret DouglasAnglo-Scottish aristocrat; daughter of Archibald Douglas
Date of Birth: 08.10.1515
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Lady Margaret Douglas
- Court Life and Royal Favor
- Secret Betrothal and Imprisonment
- Betrayal and Death of Howard
- Aftermath and Return to Favor
- Second Royal Disgrace
- Marriage and Diplomacy
- Intrigues and Imprisonments
- Diplomacy and Legacy
- Children
- Henry (March-November 1545), Lord Darnley
- Stillborn son
Lady Margaret Douglas
Early Life and FamilyLady Margaret Douglas was born on October 8, 1515, at Harbottle Castle in Northumberland. Her father was Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, and her mother was Margaret Tudor, the widow of King James IV of Scotland. Margaret's maternal grandparents were King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, while her paternal grandparents were George Douglas, Master of Angus, and Elizabeth Drummond.
Court Life and Royal Favor
In 1528, Margaret's mother returned to Scotland, leaving her behind in England. She was briefly placed in the care of Cardinal Wolsey, and after his death, she was invited to the royal court of King Henry VIII. Margaret became a lady-in-waiting to Princess Mary, who became her close friend.
During the Christmas celebrations of 1530-1532, Margaret received lavish gifts from her uncle, King Henry. She was appointed a lady-in-waiting in the household of Anne Boleyn, where she met Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk.
Secret Betrothal and Imprisonment
By the end of 1535, Margaret and Howard were in love and secretly betrothed. However, their relationship was discovered by King Henry in 1536, who was furious as it threatened his succession plans. Margaret and Howard were imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Betrayal and Death of Howard
Howard was sentenced to death by an Act of Attainder, which also forbade members of the royal family from marrying without the king's consent. Howard was pardoned but remained imprisoned, even after Margaret broke off their relationship. He died in the Tower in 1537.
Aftermath and Return to Favor
Margaret fell ill in the Tower, and King Henry moved her to Syon Abbey. She was released in October 1537, shortly before Howard's death. In 1539, Margaret was part of the welcoming escort for Henry VIII's bride, Anne of Cleves.
Second Royal Disgrace
In 1540, Margaret fell out of favor again when she had an affair with Charles Howard, Duke of Norfolk's nephew. Charles was the son of Edmund Howard, Thomas's half-brother, and the brother of Henry VIII's fifth wife, Catherine Howard.
Marriage and Diplomacy
In 1544, Margaret married Matthew Stuart, 4th Earl of Lennox, a Scottish exile who was descended from the Scottish royal family. During the War of the Rough Wooing, Margaret's father informed her that her half-brother, George Douglas, had been captured. Margaret and Lennox attempted to negotiate with the English authorities for the prisoners' humane treatment.
During Queen Mary I's reign, Lady Lennox had apartments in Westminster Palace. In 1553, the queen indicated that she considered Margaret the rightful heir to the English throne. Margaret became a close confidante of the new queen, Catherine Parr.
Intrigues and Imprisonments
After Elizabeth I's accession, Margaret moved to Yorkshire, where her home, Temple Newsam, became a center of Catholic intrigue. She arranged her son Henry's marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots, uniting their claims to the English throne.
In 1566, Margaret was imprisoned in the Tower again, but was released a year later after her son was murdered in Scotland. She accused her daughter-in-law, Mary, of the crime, but eventually reconciled with her.
In 1574, Margaret married her younger son, Charles, to Elizabeth Cavendish, without Queen Elizabeth's permission, leading to another imprisonment. She was pardoned again after her son's death in 1576.
Diplomacy and Legacy
Lady Lennox's later diplomacy played a significant role in her grandson James's accession to the English throne.
Children
With Lennox, Margaret had eight children: four sons and four daughters, although the existence of the daughters is uncertain. Her sons were:
Henry (March-November 1545), Lord Darnley
Henry (1545-1567), Lord Darnley, married his cousin Mary, Queen of Scots; father of James VI and I of Scotland and England
Charles (1555-1576), Earl of Lennox, married Elizabeth Cavendish; father of Arabella Stuart
Stillborn son
Death and LegacyAfter her younger son's death, Margaret helped care for his daughter, Lady Arabella. Two years later, Margaret died in debt. Her funeral was arranged by Queen Elizabeth I. Margaret was buried alongside her son Charles in the south aisle of Henry VII's Chapel in Westminster Abbey.
Margaret's poetic talents were recognized, and her verses were mostly written to her lover, Thomas Howard. Some of her works are preserved in the Devonshire Library.
The Lennox Jewel, a famous piece of jewelry, is believed to have been owned by Lady Lennox, although its exact origin is unknown. It was acquired by Queen Victoria in 1842.
