Interpretating families from their heraldry

[William Douglas]

As you will know, I often post a question based on a Douglas armorial that has surfaced, hoping that someone may be able to decipher it and help with the genealogy.

This weekend, I have been adding descriptors of ancient Douglas seals to about 20 of our ancestors.  These seals were appended to documents for marriages and for the acquisition and disposal of lands, and so on.  They help identify their owners and their activities on specific dates.

A seal for George Douglas of Lochleven was amongst them.  This is the George who helped Mary Queen of Scots escape from Lochleven Castle, and was presumably the same George who assisted her whilst she was held prisoner by the English Queen Elizabeth.

I was surprised that there was no biography for  'George Douglas of Lochleven' in the Douglas Archives, so began the task of preparing one.  But along the way, I found that the George, who fell for the charms of Queen Mary, was present in the list as George Douglas of Rungallie and of Helenshill.

This George was apparently the one whom Mary is portrayed with in Landseer's painting, dying at the battle of Langside, although this was based on Sir Walter Scott's novel, so is just that - a story.

Recently, a letter written by Mary, whilst prisoner of the English Queen, asking for safe passage for George Douglas confirms he lived on.

Is George, of Lochleven, of Rungallie and of Helenshill the same person?  I need to sort this out!

It is all good fun for a damp and cold Sunday!

[William Douglas]

I think that 'little Douglas' and 'George Douglas' may be one and the same.
http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history//george_douglas_of_lochleve...

Ed.  Seems I am wrong!
Little Douglas is the boy who stole the keys to enable Mary Queen of scots to escape from Lochleven Castle.