is bell the cat's sword on display

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Comment by William Douglas on February 9, 2024 at 10:40

Sword of Archibald 'Bell the Cat' Douglas

“The Bell-the-Cats blade, rightly considered the legacy sword of Scotland's most famous family, has been in the possession of every head of the family for centuries.
In 1745, after the outbreak of the Stuart insurrection, the family was in danger of losing this relic to a nefarious hand. The pretender's followers, perhaps out of a jealous feeling towards the Douglas, more likely out of a lack of feeling at all, hijacked this valuable curiosity from the armory of Douglas Castle, and it took long investigations in the warehouse before the old sword could find its rightful owner could be delivered again. It is now owned, of course, by Lord Douglas.” - Beyond the Tweed: A Tour of Scotland in 1858; Theodor Fontane.

So...
Last reported in 1858. If it is still in existence, and held by the family, its owner would be the Earl of Home as a descendant of Lord Douglas.

Comment by William Douglas on February 9, 2024 at 10:33

Bell the Cat
Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus was born about 1449 at Tantallon Castle and succeeded his father, George the 4th earl, in 1462 or 1463.

In 1481, Angus was made warden of the East Marches, but the next year he joined the league against King James III and his favourite Robert Cochrane at Lauder. Here he earned his nickname by offering to "bell the cat" – that is, to deal with the latter – beginning the attack upon him by pulling his gold chain off his neck, and causing him and others of the king's favourites to be hanged. The phrase "to bell the cat" comes from one of Aesop's fables, The Mice in Council, and means a dangerous task that is undertaken for the benefit of all.