Janet, Lady Glamis

Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis (died 1537) was the daughter of George Douglas, Master of Angus and Elizabeth Drummond, daughter of John Drummond, 1st Lord Drummond. She married firstly John Lyon, 6th Lord Glamis (1492-1528) with whom she had a son, also named John: she married secondly Archibald Campbell of Skipnish.

Charge of witchcraft

The Douglas Family were far from being in favour with King James V of Scotland; Janet's brother, Archibald, was James' stepfather, and Archibald had imprisoned the young James. James' hatred for Archibald soon extended to his whole family, including Janet. James had Janet accused of witchcraft against him, although it was clear that the accusations were false. She was imprisoned with her husband (who escaped but was later killed) in a dungeon of Edinburgh Castle. It was easy for James to imprison Janet, but actually convicting her was more difficult; her character was spotless and everybody who knew her thought highly of her. To gain "evidence", James had Janet's family members and servants subjected to torture. Janet was convicted of the crimes against her and was burned at the stake on 17 July 1537 on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle which her young son was forced to watch.

References

• Profile on Douglas Family History

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