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

CHAPTER VIII.
Maxwell Attacks the Crichtons—Johnstoun is Pledge for the Young Laird
of Graitney and Others—War with England— Johnstoun's Settlement—
The Battle of Solway Moss—Death of James V.— Capture of Annan and
Conquest of Dumfriesshire—The Infant Queen—Peace—The Grahams.
AS
the kings of Scotland had to depend on the loyalty of the Dumfries-
shire chiefs to repel invasions and control robbers, whose depredations
might lead to difficulties with England, they naturally took the side of
the strongest in disputes between the clans, and probably their information was
generally one-sided. In the time of Bruce, who, as Lord of Annandale, had
seen the difficulties of the situation, the district between the Esk, Sark, and
Leven, 8 miles long and 4 wide, called the Debateable Land, was set apart as
a refuge for outlaws. In course of time whole clans crowded on it, with nothing
to keep them but fish, game, and robbery. For Scotland it was an unfortunate
arrangement, as these refugees could be easily bought, and England was more
able to buy them. They furnished the necessary spies, and brought over their
relatives farther inland to the English cause. The Maxwells were born courtiers
and diplomatists, and by these qualities more than by arms gradually took the
leading part in Annandale as well as Nithsdale, where their East Border
ancestor had obtained Carlaverock by marrying the heiress of Galloway. They
supplanted the Crichtons in Nithsdale, making use of some of the more simple
Johnstouns to effect it. Then they turned round on the Johnstouns and undermined
their influence in Annandale, and in the quality of Sheriff or Steward of
that district outlawed the Johnstoun chiefs for protecting their own men.
In 1509 Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, the Sheriff of Nithsdale, held a Court
at Dumfries. He brought a large number of followers, who were posted on the
lower sandbeds outside the town, when they were attacked by Lord Maxwell
who held the office of Warden of the Marches, Baillie of New Abbey and
Holywood, and Sheriff of Annandale—and by Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig,
coming along the Annan road. The Crichtons were put to flight, and
Robert Crichton of Kirkpatrick, the Lairds of Dalziel and Cranchlay, and many
others were killed. It was not till Sept. 15 12 that Douglas, with his ally,
Fergusson of Craigdarroch, was tried at Edinburgh in presence of the King and