ANGUS, EARLS OF. Angus is the official name of the former county of Forfarshire (q.v.), and was that of one of the original earldoms of Pictish, Scotland, said to have been occu pied by seven brothers of whom Angus was the eldest. The Celtic line ended with Matilda (c. 124o), countess of Angus in her own right, who married in 1 243 Gilbert de Umfravill and founded the Norman line of three earls, which ended in 1381, the then holder of the title being summoned to the English parlia ment. Meanwhile John Stewart of Bonkyl, Co. Berwick, had been created earl of Angus in a new line. This third creation ended with Margaret Stewart, countess of Angus in her own right, and widow of Thomas, 13th earl of Mar. By an irregular con nection with William, 1st earl of Douglas, who had married Mar's sister, she became the mother of George Douglas, 1st earl of Angus (c. 1380-1403), and secured a charter of her estates for her son, to whom in 1389 the title was granted by King Robert II. He was taken prisoner at Homildon Hill and died in England.
His great-grandson was ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS (c. , 5th earl, known as the Great Earl and nicknamed Bell-the-Cat for his capture of Robert Cochrane, earl of Mar, the favourite of James III. He joined Alexander Stewart, earl of Albany, in intriguing with Edward IV., acknowledged the overlordship of the English Crown and was one of the leaders of the rebellion against James III. in 1487-88. He renewed his English intrigues under the reign of James IV., but was in favour with the court between 1493 and 1498 and became chancellor of the kingdom. At Flodden Field he lost two of his sons. His third son, Gavin, bishop of Dunkeld, is separately noticed.