History of Scotland-Border Reivers-Origins of the Maxwell/Johnstone Feud

It is often said that the origins of the deadly feud that beset these two powerful Scottish Border families has been lost in time.

The Battle of Dryffe Sands in 1593 is seen as the near culmination of a century of strife, resentment and confrontation between these two great Dumfriesshire clans.

Who is to contradict that the clans were at war for a century before the violence of Dryffe Sands, a conflict that involved thousands?

What is known is that the animosity which reigned between the Maxwells and Johnstones can be traced back at least half a century before 1593.

In or about 1546 the Laird of Johnstone violated the terms of the bond of 'manrent' in which he had bound himself to assist Lord Maxwell at times that he might need aid against his enemies.

Lord Wharton, an English West March Warden, renowned for his victory over the Scots at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1543, had endeavoured to create friction and discord between the two great warlords and even offered Johnstone money to entrap Maxwell into his power. Such was the hold of the Maxwells of the fortified strongholds that littered the Scottish West March, that Henry V111 of England, seeking to hold sway over and control Scotland, was prepared to go to any length to weaken Maxwell resistance to his aims and desire to create a united kingdom under the rule of the English Tudors.

The creation of enmity between Maxwell and Johnstone was one way in which the stranglehold of the Border Lords of south-west Scotland might be broken.

Although Johnstone entered into the plot with gusto, he, according to Wharton, was not to be trusted; Johnstone and his allies 'were all so false, that he knew not what to say'.

Inconsistency, treachery and double-dealing were the result of the English intrigues. Resentment, hatred and bitter feud and conflict were the inevitable outcome between the houses of Maxwell and Johnstone.

Even should the feud have lasted only the half a century between the 1540's and the 1590's , and not the century that is so often quoted, it is still evidence that feud in the Scottish English Borders was truly the 'canker' that so troubled the mind and actions of James V1 of Scotland. Moreover it is proof positive that monarchs, in this case Henry V111 of England, actively encouraged conflict between the clans and families of the Borders when such action might lead to their personal gain. These same monarchs and authority came down with a heavy hand on these same people when diplomatic relations between the two countries followed a sweeter course.

It is little wonder then that the clans and surnames(families) of the Border country, both English and Scottish, turned inwards and looked to their own for aid and support in the times of the Border Reivers.

Early in 1592 efforts were made to end the deadly feud that existed between the Maxwells and the Johnstones.

An agreement was reached between the two chiefs by which they 'freely remitted and forgave all rancour of mind, grudge, malice and feuds that had passed, or fallen forth, betwixt them or any of their forebears in any time bygone' and promised that 'they themselves, their kin, friends, should in all time coming live together in sure peace and amity'.

Events of the following year, 1593 and beyond, even down to 1608, would prove different.