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of Annandale remained hereditarily for 250 years in the powerful family of
Maxwell (g).
At the middle of the seventeenth century this stewartry passed from the Earl
of Nithsdale to the Viscount of Stormont (h). Yet it soon after was trans-
ferred, on whatever consideration, to James, Earl of Annandale, whose
family retained this stewartry till the happy epoch of the general abolition (i).
Connected with the stewartry, Annandale was the constabulary of Lochmaben
castle, the pride and the safeguard of the Bruces, during the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries. It became a royal fortress on the accession of Bruce to
the contested throne, when it was entrusted to a constable. As it was the
principal strength of Annandale, at no great distance from a litigated border, it
became an object of great importance throughout the succession wars, and even
in the subsequent conflicts between two jealous nations, as low down as the
union of the crowns on the head of James VI.
Eskdale and Ewisdale, which were enjoyed by several proprietors, with
baronial jurisdiction, during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, were acquired
in a great measure by the Douglases, during the reigns of Robert I. and
his feeble son, David II., with ample jurisdiction, which were formed into
the regality of Eskdale (k). The lordship of Eskdale remained in the all-
grasping hands of the Douglases till their forfeiture in 1455. This lordship
(g) In March, 471-2, a cause was heard in Parliament between Simon Carruthers against John,
the master of Maxwell and Stewart of Annandale, for disturbing Carruthers in holding his baronial
court of Hallethes. Acta Auditorum, 22. We may, in this parliamentary proceeding, observe the
stewart court of Annandale interfering with a baronial court as an inferior jurisdiction. The
stewartry of Annadale, the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, and the sheriffdom of Dumfries, were
recognised by an ordinance of Parliament in December 1504. Acta Parl., ii. 256, Robert, the
successor of John Lord Maxwell, obtained from James V. in 1526 and in 1537, confirmations of his
stewartship of Annandale. Privy Seal Regr., vi. 5 ; Douglas's Peer., 518. In 1550, Lord Robert
was served heir to his father Robert, in that office. Inquis. Specialis, 3. In 1619, Lord Robert
was served heir to his brother John in the same stewartship. Ib., 102. Robert was created Earl of
Nithsdale in 1620.
(h) Inquis. Spec., 259.
(i) Acta Parl., vii. 422 ; Inquis. Spec., 304. The Marquis of Annandale claimed, in 1747, for this
stewartry £4000 ; and for the regality of Moffat £6000 ; and for the constabulary of Lochmuban
castle £1000. Yet for all those offices, which had been accumulated with so much care and such
envy, the Marquis was allowed only £3000 ; of which £2000 was for the stewartry of Annan-
dale, and £800 for the regality of Moffat ; for the constabulary of Lochmaben he was allowed
nothing.
(k) In 1407, Archibald Earl of Douglas, conferred on his son-in-law, Sir Simon Glendonwyn and
his heirs, the office of baillie of the regality of Eskdale ; Sir Simon's son of the same name enjoyed
this office during the reign of James II. Dougl. Baronage, 235.