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For over half a century, the Maxwells and the
Johnstones had been at feud and, during the 16th Century, they vied with
each other for the supremacy of the Scottish West March.
Being in a position of strength, the seventh Lord Maxwell, the Earl of
Morton, decided once and for all, to destroy his enemy and his constant
rival for power.
With an army of 2,000 horsemen he set about invading Johnstone territory
in Annandale to destroy the Johnstone's family seat.
The Chief of the Johnstones, Sir James Johnstone received intelligence
of the approach of the enemy. His available forces being relatively
weak, he called for urgent help and his pleas was answered by the
Grahams, Scotts, Armstrongs, Carruthers, Irvings, Elliots and others. He
mustered barely 1,000 men.
On December 6, 1593, Lord Maxwell, with his army set off to seek out the
enemy. As it approached the Johnstone town of Lockerbie dear Dryfe
Sands,
it was harassed by a small detachment of Johnstones.
They attacked the vanguard of the Maxwells and then retreated, provoking
them to pursue them, which they did. The main body of the Johnstones,
which had been kept out of sight of the enemy, suddenly charged and
caught the enemy off guard. Their disordered vanguard was sent reeling
into their main force and in the resulting confusion, the Johnstones
pressed home their attack.
The fleeing Maxwells were pursued through the streets of Lockerbie and
beyond. At Dryfe Sands the slaughter was completed and the Maxwells were
said to have lost 700 men out of their 3000.
It was here that the Johnstones used a peculiar downward cutting stroke
with their swords, known afterwards as 'Lockerbie licks' which caused
hideous facial wounds.
Lord Maxwell was captured alive and begged for mercy, but the Johnstones
cut off his outstretched hand and slew him. The hand was fixed to the
battlements of Lochwood Tower as a trophy.
Some years later, in 1608, a meeting of
reconciliation was arranged between
Sir James Johnstone and Lord Maxwell, son of the chief who was killed
at
Dryfe Sands. The meeting was carefully supervised. Each party could
bring only one attendant.
Then during the meeting. Lord Maxwell suddenly drew a pistol and shot
the Johnstone chief in the back, killing him instantly. Lord Maxwell
escaped and made his way to France. Eventually he was apprehended and
taken to Edinburgh where he was publicly beheaded.
The battle was fought over a wide area spreading into the (old) town
of Lockerbie.
Map ref: 78 118 831
THE END
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