The Raid of Holyrood - Bothwell, James Douglas of Spott, Wauchope, Colville & Archibald Douglas

[Ronald Drysdale]

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_of_Holyrood#:~:text=The%20Raid%2....

The Raid of Holyrood was an attack on Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh on 27 December 1591 by Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell (a nephew of Mary, Queen of Scots) in order to gain access to King James VI of Scotland.
Previously Bothwell had fallen from the favour of James VI and had been accused of witchcraft during the North Berwick witch trials.

Bothwell came with sixty followers after supper on Monday 27 December 1591, including the lairds James Douglas of Spott, Archibald Wauchope of Niddrie, John Colville and Archibald Douglas (a son of the Earl of Morton).

The raid was unsuccessful because James VI and Anne of Denmark were able to take refuge in the tower of the palace after being alerted by the noise of Douglas of Spott's premature attack on the palace's prison - he was trying to release his servants who were held prisoner and were being tortured there.

The raid was resisted and Bothwell's men retreated, thereafter seven of Bothwell's men were captured and hanged.

One of the 60 followers engaged in this raid was Johne Dryisdaill the younger of Little Barnbowgall and, as a punishment for his treasonable behaviour, he had all his personal effects confiscated.

Johne's involvement in this raid and his punishment is recorded in the following publication -
- "Genealogical notes anent some ancient Scottish families." See image below

Johne Dryisdaill, the younger, of Little Barnbowgall was the son of John Dryisdaill (senior) who had been employed by William Douglas of Lochleven and who was known to have sypathised with Mary Queen of Scots during his time there. see image below

Best regards

[William Douglas]

I have tried to locate Barnbowgall but the closest that I can get is  Barnbougle Castle, an historic tower house located on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, between Cramond and Queensferry, within the parish of Dalmeny1. It’s just northwest of Dalmeny House and is part of the Earl of Rosebery’s estate

[William Douglas]

Other derivatives of the name can be found in the Wikipedia article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnbougle_Castle
It is an interesting read.

[Ronald Drysdale]

Hi William,

Yes, that's the place.

In 1575, John Dryisdaill [Loch Leven] took out a tack contract for Little Barnbowgall (ref: Court of session records John Dryisdale of Hervistoune Tillicoultry in 1575 Tack of little Barnebougall)

In 1616, his son John Dryisdaill the younger, still had the land as is indicated in his Will "Johne Dryisdeall alias Barnbugall Testament Dative 11-8-1618" (ref: ScotlandsPeople)

I'm in the process of transcribing this Will and will post it when complete.

Best Regards

Ron 

[Ronald Drysdale]

Here is the Will of Johne Dryisdeall, image plus full transcription, which is attached as a pdf:

Pdf:

 

[Ronald Drysdale]

Wrong Archibald and 50+ years between them.

Archibald Douglas, earl of Angus, 1489 – 1557

Sir Archibald Douglas of Kilmour (1558–1649) son of William Douglas 6th earl of Morton

[Ronald Drysdale]

James Colville (1551–1629) was the son of James Colville of East Wemyss (d. 1562) and Janet Douglas, a daughter of Robert Douglas of Lochleven and Margaret Erskine.

Also Johne Dryisdaill (senior) of Lochleven was married to another Douglas (see image below), a Margaret Duglas in Dunfermline, not sure which Douglas line she came from.

But all in all quite a few people for the naughty list!