biography
| name: |
Morton, James Douglas, 4th Earl of
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (c.1516–81)
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| biography:
| Regent of Scotland (1572–8) for James VI. Although a Protestant, he was made Lord High Chancellor by Mary Stuart (1563); yet he was involved in the murders of Rizzio (1566) and Darnley (1567), and played an important part in the overthrow of the queen. He joined the hostile noble confederacy, leading its forces at Carberry Hill and Langside, and succeeded Moray as regent. However, his high-handed treatment of the nobles and Presbyterian clergy caused his downfall (1581). He was arraigned for his part in Darnley's murder, and executed at Edinburgh. |
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