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

THE
CHAPTER II.
The Johnestouns' Services to the Crown—James IV. Presides at an
Assize in Dumfries.
annexation of Dumfriesshire by Edward I. proved that the south
was Scotland's most vulnerable point. It was essential for her independence
to have strong men of tried loyalty on the Borders, chiefs
whose relatives and dependers formed an unpaid standing army "always
ready," the Johnstone motto, to defend it.
Robert I. gave the lordship of Annandale and Galloway to his friend
James Douglas, whose heir, also Lord of Nithsdale, was too powerful for the
safety of the Sovereign, and excited the jealousy of other Border chiefs. He
compelled the weak Robert III. to break his word to the Earl of March, late
Warden of the Borders, who in revenge joined with England to annex
Dumfriesshire in 1400.
Again the county was agitated throughout the Duke of Albany's Regency,
after which Douglas increased in power, till his sudden death gave his rival, the
Chancellor, Sir William Crichton, an opportunity of crushing it. He invited
the young Earl and his brother, David, boys of fourteen and fifteen, to meet
King James II. at Edinburgh. They came with a grand retinue and had supper
with the Royal youth, when they were suddenly seized and executed in the
courtyard. The previous year (1439) Norman de Johnestoun gave up Comlongan
Castle to Douglas. It had been granted to Norman by James I. in
1430, being part of the escheated property of the Earl of March.
A grand-uncle succeeded young Douglas, so no immediate revenge was
taken, and his son at eighteen was made Commander of the King's army, the
Douglases were exalted to keep the Crichtons in their place. But James II. in
a fit of passion stabbed his General after supper in the palace at Stirling (1452).
and this brought on the great Douglas rebellion, which stirred up not only the
south-west, but all Scotland, before it was suppressed. The rebel chief gave
Comlongan Castle to Symon Carruthers of Mouswald, to attach a strong man to
his cause.
A civil war on the Borders always brought an English army to assist the
rebels, though Douglas pointed out how little advantage could be gained by a