Gavin Douglas (?1475-1522). The Scottish poet was bishop of Dunkeld and the third son of Archibald, 5th Earl of Angus. He is most famous for his translation of the Aeneid. In 1521 Douglas had to flee to England. He died in 1522, probably of the plague in London.

The Palice of Honours seems to have been completed about 1501 and was first published in 1553. It is an allegorical poem of 2166 lines, dedicated to King James IV of Scotland. The dream-vision describes the dreamer's journey on the path of honour, where he is instructed in moral government and the honourable behaviour of a courtier. On his way he meets the goddess Venus, who offers him a book to translate. This may be an early indication to Douglas's later translation of the Aeneid.