James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton

James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton (c. 1516 – 2 June 1581) was a Scottish nobleman. He played a leading role in the murders of Queen Mary's confidant, David Rizzio, and king consort Henry Darnley. He was the last of the four regents of Scotland during the minority of James VI. He was in some ways the most successful of the four since he won the civil war that had been dragging on with the supporters of the exiled Mary. However, he came to an unfortunate end, executed by means of the Maiden, a predecessor of the guillotine. Quotes Here lies he who neither feared nor flattered any flesh. Eulogising John Knox, 26 November 1572; cited in George R. Preedy, The Life of John Knox (1940), ch. 7 External links Category:People from Scotland Category:Executed people Category:1581 deaths