Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell
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Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (1493 – 9 July 1546) was a member of the
Council of Regency A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state ''pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy, ...
(1536) of the
Kingdom of Scotland The Kingdom of Scotland (; , ) was a sovereign state in northwest Europe traditionally said to have been founded in 843. Its territories expanded and shrank, but it came to occupy the northern third of the island of Great Britain, sharing a la ...
,
Regent A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state '' pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy ...
of the
Isle of Arran The Isle of Arran (; sco, Isle o Arran; gd, Eilean Arainn) or simply Arran is an island off the west coast of Scotland. It is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde and the seventh-largest Scottish island, at . Historically part of Butesh ...
and like his father before him patriarch of the
House of Maxwell A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condit ...
/
Clan Maxwell Clan Maxwell is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands and is recognized as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms.Way, George and Squire, Romily. ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Conv ...
. A distinguished Scottish nobleman, politician, soldier and in 1513 Lord High Admiral, Lord Maxwell was a member of
James V of Scotland James V (10 April 1512 – 14 December 1542) was List of Scottish monarchs, King of Scotland from 9 September 1513 until his death in 1542. He was crowned on 21 September 1513 at the age of seventeen months. James was the son of James IV of Sco ...
's royal council and served as
Lord Provost of Edinburgh The Right Honourable Lord Provost of Edinburgh is the convener of the City of Edinburgh local authority, who is elected by City_of_Edinburgh_Council, the city council and serves not only as the chair of that body, but as a figurehead for the e ...
in 1524, 1527 and 1535. He was also an
Extraordinary Lord of Session Extraordinary Lords of Session were lay members of the Court of Session in Scotland from 1532 to 1762, and were part of the historical judiciary of Scotland. When the Court of Session was founded in 1532, it consisted of the Lord President, 14 ...
in 1533. In 1537, he was one of the ambassadors sent to the French Court to negotiate the marriage of James to
Mary of Guise Mary of Guise (french: Marie de Guise; 22 November 1515 – 11 June 1560), also called Mary of Lorraine, was a French noblewoman of the House of Guise, a cadet branch of the House of Lorraine and one of the most powerful families in France. She ...
, whom he espoused as proxy for the King.


Life

Robert was the eldest son of
John Maxwell, 4th Lord Maxwell John Maxwell, 4th Lord Maxwell (died 9 September 1513) was a Scottish nobleman and patriarch of the Border Family / House / Clan of Maxwell. Origins Maxwell was the eldest son and heir of John Maxwell, 3rd Lord Maxwell (died 1484) and Janet, the ...
(killed at the
battle of Flodden The Battle of Flodden, Flodden Field, or occasionally Branxton, (Brainston Moor) was a battle fought on 9 September 1513 during the War of the League of Cambrai between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland, resulting in an English ...
, 9 September 1513) and Agnes Stewart, the daughter of Sir Alexander Stewart of Garlies. After the battle of Flodden, Robert returned as heir to his father on 4 November 1513. Around this time, he was also bestowed as
Regent A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state '' pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy ...
of Arran, the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, making the 5th Lord Maxwell essentially
Monarch A monarch is a head of stateWebster's II New College DictionarMonarch Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 2001. p. 707. Life tenure, for life or until abdication, and therefore the head of state of a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest authority ...
of the Island. Although others would achieve highly respected noble titles in the distinguished line of the House of Maxwell, none would match that of 5th Lord Maxwell's success. Not much is known about his reign as
Regent A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state '' pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy ...
other than he didn't spend much time on the Island. At the time of Flodden, Maxwell was admiral of a fleet which was proposed to go to France, but which on the voyage was driven back and only arrived at
Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright ( ; sco, Kirkcoubrie; gd, Cille Chùithbeirt) is a town, parish and a Royal Burgh from 1455 in Kirkcudbrightshire, of which it is traditionally the county town, within Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The town lies southwest of C ...
on the day after the battle. Maxwell immediately afterwards seized
Lochmaben Lochmaben ( Gaelic: ''Loch Mhabain'') is a small town and civil parish in Scotland, and site of a castle. It lies west of Lockerbie, in Dumfries and Galloway. By the 12th century the Bruce family had become the local landowners and, in the 14th ...
and, on 26 November, he was appointed captain and keeper of Thrieve. On the forfeiture of
Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home (died 1516) was a Scottish soldier and nobleman, Chamberlain of Scotland and Warden of the Eastern March. He fought at the Battle of Flodden where his forces defeated the English right wing before the Scottish army ...
in 1516, Maxwell acquired part of his lands and, in the following year, was made
warden of the west marches The Lord Warden of the Marches was an office in the governments of Scotland and England. The holders were responsible for the security of the border between the two nations, and often took part in military action. They were also responsible, alo ...
. After the return to Scotland of
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus (c. 148922 January 1557) was a Scottish nobleman active during the reigns of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots. He was the son of George, Master of Angus, who was killed at the Battle of Flodden, and suc ...
, husband of the dowager queen
Margaret Tudor Margaret Tudor (28 November 1489 – 18 October 1541) was Queen of Scotland from 1503 until 1513 by marriage to King James IV. She then served as regent of Scotland during her son's minority, and successfully fought to extend her regency. Marg ...
, Maxwell became one of the queen's party. He was concerned in the removal of the young king
James V James V (10 April 1512 – 14 December 1542) was King of Scotland from 9 September 1513 until his death in 1542. He was crowned on 21 September 1513 at the age of seventeen months. James was the son of King James IV and Margaret Tudor, and duri ...
from
Stirling Stirling (; sco, Stirlin; gd, Sruighlea ) is a city in central Scotland, northeast of Glasgow and north-west of Edinburgh. The market town, surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the royal citadel, the medieval old town with its me ...
to
Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
on 26 July 1524, and on 18 August was made Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Maxwell took part in the scheme for the king's nominal assumption of the government in November, with the advice of the King's mother. He was then appointed as one of the council to assist her in the government. The queen's divorce from Angus changed the attitude of Maxwell, as well as other nobles, towards her. Upon the king attaining his majority of fourteen years on 21 June 1526, Maxwell became one of the council appointed to assist Angus in the guardianship of the king and the management of affairs. He was in company with the king at the
Battle of Melrose The Battle of Melrose was a Scottish clan battle that took place on 25 July 1526.Battle of Melros ...
on 25 July, when an unsuccessful attempt was made by
Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch Sir Walter Scott, 1st of Branxholme, 3rd of Buccleuch (c. 1495 – killed 4 October 1552), known as "Wicked Wat", was a nobleman of the Scottish Borders and the chief of Clan Scott who briefly served as Warden of the Middle March He was an "inv ...
to get possession of him. The same year he was appointed steward of Kirkcudbright and keeper of Thrieve. Upon the escape of the king from
Falkland Palace Falkland Palace, in Falkland, Fife, Scotland, is a royal palace of the Scottish Kings. It was one of the favourite places of Mary, Queen of Scots, providing an escape from political and religious turmoil. Today it is under the stewardship of ...
to
Stirling Stirling (; sco, Stirlin; gd, Sruighlea ) is a city in central Scotland, northeast of Glasgow and north-west of Edinburgh. The market town, surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the royal citadel, the medieval old town with its me ...
in July 1528, Maxwell separated himself from the party of Angus and was chosen a member of the new council. Having accompanied the king to Edinburgh, he was again made lord provost of the city and, on 26 August, frustrated an attempt by Angus to take possession of it. Maxwell was one of the jurors in the trial of Angus, and upon his forfeiture received a portion of his lands. Like most of the southern nobles, Maxwell gave his indirect countenance to the border raiders, as well as engaging in raids on his own account. In 1528 he had been compelled by Angus to make compensation to the English for burning Netherby, and this probably was the reason for his hostility to Angus. In the following year, when the king determined to make a progress southwards to punish raiders, it was deemed advisable to place Maxwell and other sympathisers with them in ward in
Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle is a historic castle in Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. It stands on Castle Rock (Edinburgh), Castle Rock, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age, although the nature of the early settlement is unclear. ...
, but after the king's return, they were released on giving pledges for their allegiance. The execution of John Armstrong, who was partly under his protection, was especially distasteful to Maxwell, but he afterwards became reconciled to the king, and on 17 November 1533 was appointed an extraordinary lord of session. During an excursion into England in 1536, he burned Penrith. The same year he was appointed one of the ruling
regents A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state '' pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy ...
during the absence of King James on his matrimonial expedition to France. After the death of the king's first wife,
Madeleine of Valois Madeleine of France or Madeleine of Valois (10 August 1520 – 7 July 1537) was a French princess who briefly became Queen of Scotland in 1537 as the first wife of King James V. The marriage was arranged in accordance with the Treaty of Rouen, ...
, Maxwell was sent in December 1537 with other ambassadors to conclude a treaty of marriage with
Mary of Guise Mary of Guise (french: Marie de Guise; 22 November 1515 – 11 June 1560), also called Mary of Lorraine, was a French noblewoman of the House of Guise, a cadet branch of the House of Lorraine and one of the most powerful families in France. She ...
. In February 1540, Maxwell was paid £100 Scots for making repairs to
Hermitage Castle Hermitage Castle is a semi-ruined castle in the border region of Scotland. It is under the care of Historic Scotland. The castle has a reputation, both from its history and its appearance, as one of the most sinister and atmospheric castles in ...
. Maxwell, as high admiral, commanded an expedition to the Orkney Islands in 1540. He joined the army which assembled on the Borough Muir of Edinburgh in October 1542 and, having in vain urged that battle should be given to the English, after its disbandment he took the principal part in raising a force for a new expedition. In command of ten thousand men, he proceeded to the western borders but, just before the encounter with the English at the
Battle of Solway Moss The Battle of Solway Moss took place on Solway Moss near the River Esk on the English side of the Anglo-Scottish border in November 1542 between English and Scottish forces. The Scottish King James V had refused to break from the Catholic Chu ...
, a warrant was produced by
Oliver Sinclair Sir Oliver Sinclair of Pitcairnis (died 1576?) was a favourite courtier of James V of Scotland. A contemporary story tells that James V gave him the battle standard and command at the Battle of Solway Moss. Another story tells how at the end of h ...
, authorising him to assume the chief command. In the confusion, little resistance was made to the English, and Maxwell was captured, perhaps deliberately. Along with other captive nobles, he was sent to London -
Eustace Chapuys Eustace Chapuys (; c. 1490/92 – 21 January 1556), the son of Louis Chapuys and Guigonne Dupuys, was a Savoyard diplomat who served Charles V as Imperial ambassador to England from 1529 until 1545 and is best known for his extensive and detaile ...
wrote that Maxwell and 23 Scottish gentlemen were brought to the
Tower of London The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separa ...
on 20 December, and the next day were released to be billeted in houses of London gentry. The death of James V in December somewhat changed Henry VIII's policy. The captive nobles were permitted to return to Scotland upon paying a ransom and entering into a bond to aid the English king, by force if necessary, in his scheme for a marriage of Prince Edward with the young queen, Mary Stuart. Maxwell was at Carlisle in March 1543 and was able to write to the King's widow,
Mary of Guise Mary of Guise (french: Marie de Guise; 22 November 1515 – 11 June 1560), also called Mary of Lorraine, was a French noblewoman of the House of Guise, a cadet branch of the House of Lorraine and one of the most powerful families in France. She ...
, to arrange the passage of her French servants who took messages on to the
Duke of Suffolk Duke of Suffolk is a title that has been created three times in the peerage of England. The dukedom was first created for William de la Pole, who had already been elevated to the ranks of earl and marquess, and was a powerful figure under Henry ...
at Newcastle. Suffolk was told that Guise was favourable to the marriage plan.
Cardinal Beaton David Beaton (also Beton or Bethune; 29 May 1546) was Archbishop of St Andrews and the last Scottish cardinal prior to the Reformation. Career Cardinal Beaton was the sixth and youngest son of eleven children of John Beaton (Bethune) of Bal ...
, who opposed the marriage to the heir of a Protestant country, was detained. Maxwell showed his hostility to Beaton by proposing, and getting passed, an act that all should have liberty to read the Bible in the Scots and English tongues. Along with
Hugh Somerville, 5th Lord Somerville Hugh Somerville, 5th Lord Somerville (c. 1484 – 1549) was a lord of the Parliament of Scotland. He is sometimes reckoned to be the 4th Lord Somerville. He succeeded his brother, John Somerville, 4th Lord Somerville. Hugh and John were sons of ...
, he was one of the chief agents of Angus in his intrigues with Henry VIII. On the last day of October 1543, Maxwell and Somerville were captured by John Hamilton, the Abbot of Paisley, while proceeding with letters to
Gilbert Kennedy, 3rd Earl of Cassilis Gilbert Kennedy, 3rd Earl of Cassilis ( ) (12 May 1515 – 15 November 1558) was Scottish landowner, soldier, politician, and judge. He served as Treasurer of Scotland. Biography The son of Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd Earl of Cassilis, he succeeded ...
and
William Cunningham, 4th Earl of Glencairn William Cunningham, 4th Earl of Glencairn, 5th Lord of Kilmaurs (c. 1480–1548) was a Scottish nobleman, soldier, and "notorious intriguer". Family He was the eldest son and heir of Cuthbert Cunningham, 3rd Earl of Glencairn, by his spouse, Lady ...
, Maxwell being sent to the castle of Edinburgh. Upon obtaining his liberty, Maxwell joined
Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox (21 September 1516 – 4 September 1571) was a leader of the Catholic nobility in Scotland. He was the paternal grandfather of King James VI of Scotland and I of England. He owned Temple Newsam in Yorkshire, E ...
in
Glasgow Castle The Bishop's Castle (also known as Glasgow Castle, the Bishop's Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace) was a medieval castle in Glasgow, Scotland. It stood to the west of Glasgow Cathedral, covering much of the present day Cathedral Square. The ca ...
, and was taken prisoner at its capture during the battle of Glasgow, 1 April 1544. He was released on 3 May 1544, on the approach of the English fleet to
Leith Leith (; gd, Lìte) is a port area in the north of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, founded at the mouth of the Water of Leith. In 2021, it was ranked by '' Time Out'' as one of the top five neighbourhoods to live in the world. The earliest ...
roads, in case his friends or followers should ally with the English. Having now excited the suspicions of Henry as to his fidelity, he was taken prisoner and sent to the
Tower of London The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separa ...
. Thereupon he offered to serve under the
Earl of Hertford Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. The title originates in the Old English word ''eorl'', meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Scandinavian form ''jarl'', and meant "chieftain", particular ...
, with a red cross on his armour as a symbol of his devotion to England. However, in August 1545 he remained imprisoned at
Pontefract Castle Pontefract (or Pomfret) Castle is a castle ruin in the town of Pontefract, in West Yorkshire, England. King Richard II is thought to have died there. It was the site of a series of famous sieges during the 17th-century English Civil War. ...
, and only in October 1545 was he allowed to return to Scotland, on delivering
Caerlaverock Castle Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle first built in the 13th century. It is located on the southern coast of Scotland, south of Dumfries, on the edge of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve. Caerlaverock was a stronghold of th ...
into English keeping. Early in November, his castles were captured by Beaton and he was conveyed a prisoner to
Dumfries Dumfries ( ; sco, Dumfries; from gd, Dùn Phris ) is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is located near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth about by road from the ...
; but, having affirmed that he had only made terms with Henry in fear of his life, on 12 January 1546 Maxwell received a remission, and was at the same time made chief justice of Annandale. On 3 June 1546, he was appointed warden of the west marches. He died on 9 July of the same year.


Family

By his first wife, Janet Douglas, daughter of Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig, he had three children: * Robert Maxwell, 6th Lord Maxwell * Sir John Maxwell, married Agnes Maxwell, 4th
Lady Herries of Terregles Lord Herries of Terregles (pronounced "''Heh''-reez of Ter-regulls'") is a hereditary title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1490 for Herbert Herries, 1st Lord Herries of Terregles, Herbert Herries with remainder to his heirs general. ...
* Margaret, married firstly to
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus (c. 148922 January 1557) was a Scottish nobleman active during the reigns of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots. He was the son of George, Master of Angus, who was killed at the Battle of Flodden, and suc ...
, and secondly to Sir William Baillie of Lamington His second wife was
Lady Agnes Stewart Lady Agnes Stewart (died 1557) was a Scottish noble. She was born the illegitimateG.E. Cokayne et al (eds), ''The Complete Peerage'', vol. 2 (Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), p. 238. daughter of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan and Margaret Murray. ...
, illegitimate daughter of
James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan (1442–1499) was a Scottish noble. He was the uncle of James III of Scotland who granted him the Earldom of Buchan. Buchan repaid his nephew by fighting for his cause against rebellious southern barons. Through h ...
, second son to Sir
James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorne James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorne ( 1399 – c. 1451) was a Scottish nobleman. Early life The Black Knight of Lorne was born at Innermeath, Scotland. His father was Sir John Stewart (died 26 April 1421), Scotland's Ambassador to England. He ...
, and
Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scots Joan Beaufort ( 1404 – 15 July 1445) was Queen of Scotland from 1424 to 1437 as the spouse of King James I of Scotland. During part of the minority of her son James II (from 1437 to 1439), she served as the regent of Scotland. Background a ...
(c. 1404 – 15 July 1445), the widow of James I of Scotland. Lady Agnes Stewart was later legitimized by Queen
Mary of Guise Mary of Guise (french: Marie de Guise; 22 November 1515 – 11 June 1560), also called Mary of Lorraine, was a French noblewoman of the House of Guise, a cadet branch of the House of Lorraine and one of the most powerful families in France. She ...
, on 31 October 1552, under the
Great Seal of Scotland The Great Seal of Scotland ( gd, Seala Mòr na h-Alba) is a principal national symbol of Scotland that allows the monarch to authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. Wax is melted in a metal mould or matrix ...
.Sir
James Balfour Paul Sir James Balfour Paul (16 November 1846 – 15 September 1931) was the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the officer responsible for heraldry in Scotland, from 1890 until the end of 1926. Life Paul was born in Edinburgh, the second son of the Rev J ...
(1904), ''
The Scots Peerage ''The Scots Peerage'' is a nine-volume book series of the Scottish nobility compiled and edited by Sir James Balfour Paul, published in Edinburgh from 1904 to 1914. The full title is ''The Scots Peerage: Founded on Wood's Edition of Sir Robert ...
'', vol.
157
and vol 6, p
480
/ref>


Depictions in popular culture

Portrayed by the actor James Sutherland, Robert Maxwell, the 5th lord Maxwell makes a brief appearance in the television series ''
The Tudors ''The Tudors'' is a historical fiction television series set primarily in 16th-century England, created and written by Michael Hirst and produced for the American premium cable television channel Showtime. The series was a collaboration among ...
''. He appears in season 4 episode 6 entitled "You Have My Permission". In the show, he is only ever referred to as Lord Maxwell.


Notes


References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, Robert, 5th Lord 1493 births 1546 deaths 15th-century Scottish people 16th-century Scottish military personnel 16th-century viceregal rulers Lords of Parliament (pre-1707) Provosts of Edinburgh Court of James V of Scotland Scottish people of the Rough Wooing Regents of Scotland Lord High Admirals of Scotland Extraordinary Lords of Session Robert, Lord 5