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For over half of the 16th century the Maxwell and the Johnstone families had vied for supremacy of the Scottish West March. Lord Maxwell, Earl of Morton decided once and for all to settle the matter and destroy his rival. On the 6th December 1593 he invaded with an army of 2000 men with a view to destroying the Johnstone family seat in Annandale. However Sir James Johnstone received intelligence of the impending attack and called for help from sympathetic families but in the event could only muster about 1000 men.
As the Maxwell forces approached Lockerbie their vanguard was engaged by a small detachment of Johnstone’s who attacked then withdrew towards Lockerbie. The Maxwell forces pursued them but were caught off guard by the main body of Johnstone’s lying in wait for them. The Maxwell forces were routed and withdrew in total disorder pursued by the Johnstone forces. A stand was finally made at the Dryfe River and in the ensuing encounter the Maxwell forces were slaughtered, losing a large number of their men. Lord Maxwell gave himself up and begged for mercy but it is reported that his outstretched hand was cut off and he was slain. Some years later Lord Maxwell’s son attended a meeting of reconciliation with Sir James Johnstone but drew a pistol, shot him in the back and fled to France. He was subsequently apprehended and beheaded.
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