Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

COMMISSION OF fIKE AND SWO)lD AOAINST LOr.U MAXWELL, 15S5. xcv
bauiiln-'i-l lords— a, su?picioii aflerv.-aiils abiuuluntly vciified—wLicli gave
more tlsau usual eueigy to the preiiaratioiis niadc by the government for
jiiiiii»Ling the outrages committed by tlie ^Maxwells. Various proi'Iauiations
were issued charging tlie fencibie nieu of the south of Scotland to meet in
arms for service against Lord Maxwell and his adherents, lie \sas depn\ed
of the title and rank of Earl of ]\Iorton, and the grant of the lands and barony
of that name vt'as revoked by the king.' A convention of estates v.'as
summoned, which voted a taxation of £20,000 for levying men and horses to
serve on an expedition against the Maxwells. The expedition thus projected
was afleruards postponed on account of the plague, but meanwhile Sir .Julni
Johnstone received, as vrardeu, a special commission of fire and su'ord against
Lord ^Maxwell and his followers. The Earl of Bothwell, Lord Ilon^e, "Walter
Scott of Branxholni, and other border barons and wardens, vrere ordered to
assist in the execution of the commission.- i\Iaxwell, however, did not v.-ait
for this array to be brouglit against hhn. The commission was issued on 13th
May ]5S5, and only tvro days later, -we find Johnstone writing to a friend
from Lochmaben Castle that Lord Maxwell thought to be vritliin their
country shortly. lie desires his friend to meet him, with as many liuise and
foot as possible, ou the following ^Monday, at the kirk of Appleginh, that they
may defend themselves from invasion.^ But MaxAvell's movements were too
rapid even for this preparation, as on. that very day and the day following, he
and his whole force overran the barony of Johnstone " and thair brint, slew,
licrreit, sackit," and destroyed the lauds and houses, and carried off tlie goods
of the tenants and others.*
Sir John Johnstone had already, it would seem, set the example by
burning the lands of Ciimmertrees, l)uncow, and Cov.hill, belonging to
^Lixwell, whose attack ou the lands of his rival was thus a retaliation. It is
' P.cgister of the Privy Council, voL iii. ^ Tborpe's Calend.-ir of State Pa)iers, vol. i.
IM'. 734, 735, 737, 741. p. i'Jo, No. 42.
- ICvgi-stfr of the Privy Council, vol, iii. * Ol.aini by James Jolinstouc against Max-
I'l'. 74.1, 740. .jvfll in AmiaiMlalf Charter-clicst.