John Maxwell, 4th Lord Maxwell (died 9 September 1513) was a Scottish nobleman and head of the Border family or clan of Maxwell.
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Maxwell was the eldest son and heir of John Maxwell, 3rd Lord Maxwell (died 1484) and Janet, the daughter of George Crichton, 1st Earl of Caithness.[1] The Maxwells were an ancient family from the Scottish Borders, whose chief seat was at Caerlaverock Castle.
Maxwell was infefted in his grandfather's lands at Carnsalloch on 8 May 1485 and was served heir to his father in the lands of Maxwell on 29 April 1486. In 1486 he was also appointed Warden of the West Marches. In October 1488 he attended the first Parliament of James IV.[1]
The most notorious incident of Maxwell's career was his violent assault on 30 July 1508 on Robert Crichton, 2nd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar outside the court-house in Dumfries, where Crichton was holding assizes. The Maxwells and Crichtons had long competed for influence in Nithsdale and, accompanied by William Douglas of Drumlanrig, Maxwell led a considerable force into the town from the south. Bishop Lesley provided the following summary of subsequent events: "Lord Creychton was chaissit with his company frae Drumfries, and the Laird of Dalyell and the young laird of Cranchlay slain, with divers uthers, quhairof thair appeared greit deidly feid and bludshed." It appears that Maxwell went largely unpunished for his part in this episode.[2]
Maxwell was one of the many Scottish nobles killed in the Battle of Flodden Field on 9 September 1513.[1]
Maxwell married (in 1491 or 1492) Agnes, the daughter of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan and the dowager Queen Joan Beaufort, thereby forging a link to a branch of the royal House of Stuart. She was still living on 25 July 1530. They had at least eight children:
Maxwell is also known to have had two illegitimate sons, Henry and John.[1]
| Peerage of Scotland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Maxwell |
Lord Maxwell c. 1484–1513 |
Succeeded by Robert Maxwell |