The latest from my historian hero, Robert MacLeod Gunn Happy Sunday everyone. Had a bit of a sleepless night, so Ill be resting today. For now, I wanted to post something for you to read today. We just had one of the great Highland Clan Feuds, that lasted over 500 years with the Keiths and Gunns. Before that we had other Highland clans, MacDonald, MacLeod, Mackay, Macpherson, chattan, Davidson and more. We have not yet had a Border family feud. These were just as bloody and violent as the Highland variety. Here is a famous one, between two border families, the Maxwells and the Johnstones (not related to Johnson). --- Maxwells and Johnstones For I have killed the laird Johnstone I care not for the feud My loyal heart did still incline He was my fathers death. By day and night I did pursue And all on him avenged to be Now I have gotten what I long sought Trust me, I may not stay with thee. from Lord Maxwells Last Goodnight. This beautiful ballad remains of what was one of lowland Scotlands feuds. In 1585 John, Lord Maxwell, made the mistake of angering the Earl of Arran, a favorite of James VI. The King ordered the Laird Johnstone to arrest Maxwell, but Maxwells forces routed Johnstones. Johnstone raided Maxwells land and Maxwell burned Johnstones house, as awful as it sounds now, was not atypical for Border conflicts. Then Maxwell captured Johnstone (this was supposed to happen the other way around, if you recall) and the grief of it caused Johnstones death shortly after he was freed. One chief down. On April 1, 1592, all Scotland was amazed to hear that Johnstones had made a peace treaty with the Maxwells -- forgive and forget between Old Maxwell and the young Johnstone. It took less than a year for a party of Johnstones to go raiding in neighboring areas, killing 18 men in the process. Maxwell was the warden for that country and the survivors made complaints to him, even procuring a commission for him to proceed against the Johnstones. Johnstone heard about the commission and gathered up his allies. At Dryfe Sands, the Johnstones defeated the Maxwells. Old Lord Maxwell lay wounded on the ground and asked to be taken alive, as he had once taken Johnstones father alive. Instead his outstretched hand was cut off, after which he was killed. Two leaders/chiefs now dead to this feud. Now we have young Laird Johnstone is older than the new young Lord Maxwell who was only 8 years old when his father died. The feud continued as the boy grew to manhood, a rebellious dangerous man, twice arrested (once for popery, once for his rebellious disposition). He escaped both times. After the second escape in 1607 Maxwell decided it was time to cool down and make a peace with the Johnstones. His cousin Sir Robert Maxwell, brother-in-law to Laird Johnstone, set up a meeting where each chief would bring only one man with him and each swore to do no wrong, no matter if they agreed or not. It sounds ominously familiar. If you recall, to settle a clan difference a few centuries earlier, clans Gunn and Keith agreed to meet, twelve horse each (presumably one man per horse) but the Keiths came to the party with two men on each horse. On April 6, 1608 Johnstone arrived with Willie Johnstone as his companion. Maxwell brought Charlie Maxwell against Sir Roberts wishes. (You may be guessing where this is going.) The two attendants were ordered to stay away from one another while the two chiefs and Sir Robert talked. Shortly after Charlie Maxwell moved over to Willie Johnstone. There were some brief words and then a pistol fired. Protesting his innocence to his angry cousin, Maxwell followed Johnstone who had gone to look after his attendant. Maxwell then shot Johnstone in the back and fled. The third leader died. Maxwell left the country, but was tried in absentia and sentenced to death. For reasons unknown he returned to Scotland four years later and was betrayed to the Government by one of his own kinsmen. He was beheaded in Edinburgh on May 21, 1613. In the end it was four chiefs or leaders of the feuding clans killed. The forfeited estates were eventually restored to Sir Robert.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 07:42:46 +0000
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