ANGUS

angus, earls of. angus was one of the seven original earldoms of the pictish kingdom of scotland, said to have been occupied by seven brothers of whom angus was the eldest. the celtic line ended with matilda (_fl._ 1240), countess of angus in her own right, who married in 1243 gilbert de umfravill and founded the norman line of three earls, which ended in 1381, the then holder of the title being summoned to the english parliament. meanwhile john stewart of bonkyl, co. berwick, had been created earl of angus in a new line. this third creation ended with margaret stewart, countess of angus in her own right, and widow of thomas, 13th earl of mar. by an irregular connexion with william, 1st earl of douglas, who had married mar's sister, she became the mother of george douglas, 1st earl of angus (_c._ 1380-1403), and secured a charter of her estates for her son, to whom in 1389 the title was granted by king robert ii. he was taken prisoner at homildon hill and died in england. the 5th earl was his great-grandson.