Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell
Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (1493 – 9 July 1546) was a member of the
Life
Robert was the eldest son of John Maxwell, 4th Lord Maxwell (killed at the battle of Flodden, 9 September 1513) and Agnes Stewart, the daughter of Sir Alexander Stewart of Garlies.[1][2]
After the battle of Flodden, Robert returned as heir to his father on 4 November 1513. Around this time, he was also bestowed as
After the return to Scotland of
Upon the escape of the king from Falkland Palace to Stirling 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
In February 1540, Maxwell was paid £100
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
Upon obtaining his liberty, Maxwell joined
Having now excited the suspicions of Henry as to his fidelity, he was taken prisoner and sent to the Tower of London. Thereupon he offered to serve under the Earl of Hertford, 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,[6] and only in October 1545 was he allowed to return to Scotland, on delivering Caerlaverock Castle into English keeping. Early in November, his castles were captured by Beaton and he was conveyed a prisoner to Dumfries; 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
- Margaret, married firstly to Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, and secondly to Sir William Baillie of Lamington
His second wife was
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. 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
- ^ Sir James Balfour Paul (1904), The Scots Peerage, vol 4, p. 152 and vol 6, p. 478
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- ^ James Balfour Paul, Accounts of the Treasurer, vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 289.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Spanish, vol.6 part 2, (1895), pp. 221–222, no.94.
- ^ Cameron, Annie I., Scottish Correspondence of Mary of Lorraine, SHS(1927), 1–7.
- ^ Letters & Papers Henry VIII, vol.20 part 2 (1907), no.118.
- ^ Sir James Balfour Paul (1904), The Scots Peerage, vol. 2 157 and vol 6, p. 480
References
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Maxwell, Robert (d.1546)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.