History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

THE EARLIEST JOHNESTOUNS 5
King David Bruce. He is the Chief described by Andrew Wyntoun, the Prior
of Lochleven, 1 in his Original Chronicle, circa 1405, which records the fame of
Bruce and of the Scottish leaders, his contemporaries, for in 1370 this knight
defeated the English army which invaded Scotland towards the end of the
reign of Edward III.
Sir John de Johnestoun's son, John, is mentioned in a letter from Robert
II. (1385), where the King thanks Charles VI. of France for the succour he has
given him against the English, and for 40,000 livres which Charles sent to
be divided among his faithful allies, the Scottish nobles. Johnestoun received
300 of them. He also fought under Douglas at Chevy Chase. He was one
of the "scutiferi," or constables, appointed to keep order on the Borders, and
in 1384 obtained a safe conduct to England.
In 141 3 a safe conduct to England was given to Adam, Lord of Johnstoun,
sent by the Earl of Douglas, superior of Annandale and Galloway, as one
of the securities for a debt owed to Sir John Philip by the Princess Margaret
Steuart, wife of Douglas. He was back in 1419, as he then witnessed a
Charter at Lochmaben, and was a witness at Pennersax in 1432 and 1441.
He was a conservator of the peace on the Scottish border (1449-53).
In 142 1 James, William, John, and Walter Johnstoun were released with
other Scottish prisoners of war from the Tower of London, and allowed to
return to Scotland to bring their ransoms. After depositing the money they
would be free to go home.
In 1464 a safe conduct was given to Adam of Johnstoun, Robert and John
Johnstoun, Gilbert de Johnstoun, and Matthew de Johnstoun for a whole year
in England, with ten Scotsmen in their company, also for two of them to trade
at English ports with three boats of 15 tons burden, manned by competent
masters and mariners. This seems to be the earliest effort in Dumfriesshire to
create a mercantile marine, but it was soon stopped by the Albany rebellion.
In 1485 Gilbert de Johnstoun and many other Borderers applied for a safe
conduct to England.
Thomas de Johnestoun signs a Charter for the first Earl of Erroll, Constable
of Scotland (1452-63).
In 1459 Andrew Ker of Cessford, John Johnstoun of that Ilk, who succeeded
his father Adam, Charles Murray of Cockpool, William Carlile of
Torthorald, among others, are bracketed as "scutiferi" or constables. Again
1 " When alt the wattyr of Solway
Schyr Jhon of Jhonystown on a day
Of Inglismen wencust a grete dele
He bore him at that time sa wele
That he and the Lord of Gordoune
Had a sowerane gude renowne
Of any that was of that degree
For full they war of grete bownte.
Buchanan wrote in 1572 of the same period, when the English were driven out of
Annandale : " In the Western Borders John Johnestoun so managed it that he got both honour
and booty ; for he so exercised his neighbouring foes, with small, but frequent incursions, that
he did them as much mischief as a great army could have done."