James Douglas has obtained a papal dispensation to marry his brother's widow, Margaret Douglas, Fair Maid of Galloway, in order to keep the family estates together. (It is not entirely clear that this marriage ever took place, but it was certainly planned.)
He is involved in intrigues with the English court, and in 1455 rebels against James II once more, seizing Inverness.
Meanwhile another branch of the Douglas family, known as the Red Douglases, has risen into importance, and George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus, great-grandson of the first earl of Douglas, takes sides with the king against the Earl of Douglas.
Douglas, again deserted by his chief allies, flees to England, and his three younger brothers, Hugh Douglas, Earl of Ormonde, Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray, and John Douglas, Lord of Balvenie, are defeated on May 12 at the Battle of Arkinholm, near Langholm on the Esk, possibly by Angus.
Moray is killed, Ormonde taken prisoner and executed, and Balvenie escapes to England.
Their last stronghold, Threave Castle in Galloway, falls.
James Douglas is attainted in 1455, and his lands and estates are forfeit to the crown.
The lands of the Douglases are divided among their rivals, the lordship of Douglas falling to the Red Douglas 4th earl of Angus.
