Battle of Dryfe Sands

Part of Clan Johnstone-Clan Maxwell feud

Coats of arms of the chief of Clan Johnstone (left) and chief of Clan Maxwell (right)

Date	1593
Location	Skipmyre, Scotland
Result	Clan Johnstone victory

Belligerents

Clan Johnstone^[1]

Clan Maxwell^[2]
Clan Grierson^[3]
Clan Pollock^[4]

Commanders and leaders

Sir James Johnstone

Unknown

Strength

600-800

2,000

Casualties and losses

Unknown

The Battle of Dryfe Sands was a battle between the clans of Clan Maxwell and Clan Johnstone in Scotland, in 1593.

Location

About 3 kilometres to the west of Lockerbie on 7 December 1593, Clan Johnstone fought Clan Maxwell at the Battle of Dryfe Sands. The Johnstones nearly exterminated the Maxwells involved in the battle, leading to the proverbial expression "Lockerbie Lick."^[5]

Armies

Sir James Johnstone had been warned by Johnstone of Cummertrees about the size of Maxwell's army, he gathered a mix of English, Elliots, Irvines, Murrays, Scotts, Carruthers and Grahams.

Battle

Captain Oliphant, leading an advance Maxwell party, was beaten near Lochmaben by the Johnstones. In the skirmish, Oliphant was killed, the remainder of his forces sheltering in Lochmaben Kirk. However, some Johnstones set fire to the building, forcing the Maxwells to surrender.

Lord Maxwell's main army camped near Skipmyre, on a hill. A day later, he took up the left bank of the River Dryfe. However, Sir James Johnstone's men were on higher ground, and provoked Maxwell's men, with the result of some of Maxwell's men getting ambushed. This enabled Johnstone's main force to attack Maxwell's main army, which confused them. The Lairds of Drumlanrig, Closeburn and Lag rode off of the battlefield, presumably followed by many of their men. Maxwell's army was destroyed, and Maxwell himself was killed by William Johnstone of Kirkhill, or possibly by Sir James Johnstone.

John Pollock of Clan Pollock was killed supporting the Maxwells.^[4]

References

↑ Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 178 - 179.
↑ Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). pp. 429 - 430.
↑ Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). pp. 152 - 153.
1 2 Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). pp. 446 - 447.
↑ "Battle of Dryfe Sands" (PDF). Retrieved 8 June 2013.

External links

Scottish clan battles

14th century	Battle of the Pass of Brander Battle of Dalrigh Battle of Drumlui Battle of Invernahavon Battle of the North Inch

15th century	Battle of Aldy Charrish Battle of Arbroath Battle of Brechin Battle of Arkinholm Battle of Bealach nam Broig Battle of Blar Na Pairce Battle of Bloody Bay Battle of Craignaught Hill Battle of Champions Battle of Clachnaharry Battle of Corpach Battle of Craig Cailloc Battle of Dingwall Battle of Drumchatt Battle of Drumnacoub Battle of Harlaw Battle of Harpsdale Battle of Inverlochy (1431) Siege of Inverness (1429) Battle of Lochaber Battle of Palm Sunday Raid on Ross Sandside Chase Battle of Skibo and Strathfleet Battle of Tannach Battle of Tarbat Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach

16th century	Battle of Achnashellach Battle of Alltachuilain Battle of Allt Camhna Battle of Leckmelm Battle of Alltan-Beath Battle of Bun Garbhain Battle of Carberry Hill Cleanse the Causeway Chanonry of Ross Battle of Clynetradwell Battle of Corrichie Battle of Craibstone Battle of Dryfe Sands Battle of Garbharry Battle of Glendale Battle of Glenlivet Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart Siege of Inverness (1562) Battle of Knock Mary Battle of Langside Battle of Linlithgow Bridge Battle of Logiebride Battle of Melrose Battle of the Shirts Battle of the Spoiling Dyke Battle of Summerdale Battle of Tillieangus Battle of Torran Dubh Battle of the Western Isles

17th century	Battle of Altimarlach Stand-off at the Fords of Arkaig Battle of Benbigrie Battle of Carinish Battle of Coire Na Creiche Battle of Glen Fruin Battle of Morar Battle of Maol Ruadh

see also	Scottish clan Jacobite risings Wars of Scottish Independence Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms Anglo-Scottish Wars Marian civil war Military of Scotland Manrent Massacre of Glencoe

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