Note 3 — CHAP. I.

'William VI. earl of Douglas, third duke of Touraine, &c. a youth of a fine genius and noble spirit, and of great expectation. Soon after his father's death, he came to a meeting of the parliament at Edinburgh with a splendid and numerous retinue, and behaved with all due obedience and submission. He was in great favour with the young king, and gave all the marks of a sincere, generous and loyal disposition. However, it seems his grandeur made him be looked upon with a jealous eye by the faction at the time, though he was then only about sixteen years of age. He and his young brother were invited to an entertainment in the castle of Edinburgh by chancellor Crichton. They went without the least suspicion or distrust, and were both barbarously assassinated, with their trusty friend sir Malcolm Fleming of Cumbernauld, in the king's presence, who had the tragical event in the utmost abhorrence, and wept bitterly, but had not the power to prevent it. This happened on the 24th November 1440.'—Douglas's Peerage of Scotland.