Maxwdlheugh and Springwood Park, by James Tait 48$ 



boundary, which was completed by the parish of Eckford."* 

 It appears that Maxwell was a barony previous to the year,, 

 1373. The lands which had been granted to Maccus, soon 

 came to be known as the lands of Maccuswell, afterwards 

 contracted to Maxwell, and,, as subsequently described in 

 the charters of his descendants, they are known to have 

 included the town of Maxwell, Maxwellheugh, the Mains, 

 Springwood Park, Pinnaclehill (or Pendiclehill), the Woddens,. 

 (Easter and Wester), the Softlaws (Easter and Wester,) 

 Chapel, the Kirklands, &c. The barony of Maxwell was. 

 estimated as a forty-pound land of old extent, and the lands 

 had probably been part of the royal domains. One of the 

 parts, immediately opposite the castle of Koxburgh, and 

 coming close to it, was called the King's Haugh. The lands 

 may have been bestowed upon Maccus by King David in 

 token o± his friendship for Maccus, and at all events it is 

 certain that, being opposite the castle of Roxburgh, and 

 close to it, they would not have been granted by the king, 

 to any subject who did not hold a special place in the royal 

 favour. Probably about the same time Maccus was appoint- 

 ed Sheriff of Roxburghshire, an office which was held by 

 Herbert of Maxwell, the son of Maccus, and also by John 

 of Maxwell, the grandson of Maccus. John of Maxwell, 

 lord of that ilk, who had become a knight, obtained from 

 Robert II., a charter, dated 11th November, 1373, of the 

 lands of Softlaw, in the barony of Maxwell, forfeited by 

 William Stewart, who had rendered allegiance to the King 

 of England. On the 14th May, 1476, Robert Maxwell, 

 bailie of the barony of Maxwell, specially constituted by 

 the lord thereof, in a court of that barony, gave public warn- 

 ing in the name, and on the part of, Lord Maxwell, that 

 whoever had any lands in tack in any way in any part of 

 that barony, should be wholly denuded of their lands and 

 tacks after the Feast of Pentecost, and should not have them 

 until they received them anew from the foresaid lord and 

 his bailie. Robert, fifth Lord Maxwell, received from King 

 James V., for services as Warden of the West Marches,, 

 another charter of forty pound lands of old extent of the 

 barony of Maxwell, and many other lands and baronies, 

 which were all united into a free barony to be called the 

 barony of Maxwell ; and the castle of Carlaverock, in Niths- 

 dale, was ordained to be the principal messuage thereof, 



