Maxwell vs Johnstone

In 1578, John Johnstone was made “Warden of the Scottish West March” by King James VI of Scotland.  This gave the Johnstone‘s power over the neighboring Maxwell clan creating a tension between the two clans. The first major conflict in 1585 was sparked by a disagreement between the Maxwell Clan and Lord Arran, over land holdings.  King James VI sided with Lord Arran and tasked the Johnstone’s with arresting the Maxwell clan chief.  Two bands of soldiers were sent to assist the Johnston’s against the Maxwell’s. Robert Maxwell, the chiefs brother, commanded a group that met up with the two groups of soldiers commanded by the Johnstone’s.  The larger Maxwell force resoundingly defeated the Johnstone’s. Robert then led his force on to Lockwood Castle and burnt it to the ground.  The Johnstone’s mounted an unsuccessful counter attack where the Johnstone chief, John Johnstone was captured and held in Caerlaverock Castle.  It is said that he died shortly after his release in 1587 due to the shame from his defeat.

In 1592 Lord Maxwell was able to win back the King’s favor and he was declared “Warden of the Scottish West March”.  Sir James Johnstone made a deal with the Maxwell chief which temporarily ended the feuding.   There was relative peace between the two clans until 1593 when a group of Johnstone’s, under the leadership of William Johnstone of Wamphray, led a raid on the Crichton family.  The Crichton’s captured William Johnstone and hung him. In response William Johnstone of Kirkhill launched a revenge attack on the Crichton’s killing 15 of their clan members.  The Crichton’s appealed to the Maxwell’s for help and Lord Maxwell agreed to deal with the Johnstone’s in return for their allegiance.

In December 1593, Clan Maxwell, with 2000 men left Dumfries to face the Johnstone’s .  An advance party of Maxwell troops, under the command of Captian Oliphant met the Johnstone’s near Lochmabe and were badly defeated.  Captian Oliphant was killed and his men seeking refuge were forced to surrender after the building they were hiding in was set on fire. A few days later Maxwell’s main army came into contact with the Johnstone troops at River Dryfe.  Sir James Johnstone placed his men on the high ground and his horsemen were able to provoke some of the Maxwell army into an ambush. The main Johnstone army was then able to quickly attack the Maxwell’s causing panic and confusion among their troops.  Lord Maxwell was killed on the battlefield and many of their men were drowned trying to flee. It is predicted that the Maxwell’s lost up to 700 men during the battle of Dryfe Sands.

A meeting was arranged in 1608 to end the feud, both chiefs were required to arrive to the meeting with only one companion.  During the negotiations a quarrel broke out between the two leaders and Lord Maxwell shot Sir James killing him.  Lord Maxwell was force to escape to Europe. On his return to Scotland in 1612 he was captured and killed, finally ending the feud.