Squabbling Sommervilles 1593
FEUDS OF THE SOMERVILLES
A.D. 1593 AND 1596.
The quarrels which existed between the families of persons of rank and their relatives in Scotland often exhibit a Curious lively picture of Scottish manners and of the state of society in former times.The law was completely disregarded
The parties whenever or wherever they met were certain to attack each other, and their encounters were often characterized by much bloodshed and loss of life. A bitterness of hatred, a desire of revenge, and a determination to retaliate real or imaginary grievances, were conspicuous in all those sanguinary quarrels,and these feelings were cherished by their dependants and retainers, who cherished all the resentments and animosities of their masters.
For some
years previous to 1593 there was a deadly feud between the families of Cowthally
and Cambusnethen, two branches of the noble family of Somerville. The Somervilles
of Cambusnethen interested themselves in behalf of Gilbert, Master of
Somerville, who was also connected with them by marriage,
and according to the custom of the times engaged all their friends and allies
to defend him in a dispute
about certain landed property. Among the allies of the family of Cambusnethen
was James Johnstone of Westerhall, whose mother had been a daughter of the
former family, and who considered it his duty to support their pretensions and
claims on all occasions. This gentleman was a thorough-bred Borderer, an
excellent swordsman, and capable of contriving and executing the boldest enterprises.
Among other exploits he had made himself conspicuous by killing in the park of
Stirling, in 1584, Robert Hamilton of Inchmachan, a creature of James VI.'s unworthy
favourite James Stewart, Earl of Arran, against whom he had sworn vengeance for
causing Douglas of Mains to be executed upon his false accusation.
At a ford of
the Clyde between Pittenain and Carstairs one of these feuds occurred.
Johnstone of Westerhall had crossed the river at this ford attended by three
domestics, and proceeded to a house in the vicinity where he intended to remain until his business was settled. He had only been
a few hours in the house when Hugh Somerville, second son of Lord Somerville,
who had received intelligence of Johnstone's movements, repaired to the place with
the intention of surprising him in the house, and revenging his family quarrel .
Fortunately the approach of Somerville and his attendants was noticed by a servant girl, who exclaimed to Johnstone
Fortunately the approach of Somerville and his attendants was noticed by a servant girl, who exclaimed to Johnstone
"Those
you are looking for are now coming.'
" How
many are of them ?"inquired the Laird of Westerhall."
Many,"
replied the girl," but they ride so hard and close that I cannot count
them."
"To
horse! To horse !" exclaimed Johnstone to his retainers;"this house can
afford us no shelter, and we can make no defence here."
They
instantly mounted their horses, and rode to the ford, which was within an arrow
flight from the house, followed at full speed by Hugh Somerville and eight of his
attendants, who attacked them near the ford. Johnstone, perceiving that all his
intended assailants had not come up, ordered his three attendants to turn and
face the enemy. He and his little party received their fire, which did them no injury,
and they then discharged their own pistols. Their fire was so far effectual
that the horse of Somerville of Blackpool was killed, the rider sorely bruised,
and a retainer of Lord Somerville, a feuar in Carnwath, received a shot in his
arm, which the unskilfulness of a surgeon caused to be amputated. After discharging
their pistols both parties drew their swords, and inflicted several wounds on
each other.
At length all Somerville's party came up, and Johnstone seeing the folly of contending with such numbers, ordered his retainers to cross the ford.
He was followed by Hugh Somerville, and observing that gentleman to be nearest to him, he raised himself on his saddle, and exclaimed
At length all Somerville's party came up, and Johnstone seeing the folly of contending with such numbers, ordered his retainers to cross the ford.
He was followed by Hugh Somerville, and observing that gentleman to be nearest to him, he raised himself on his saddle, and exclaimed
"There
are two brothers contending for a ship, but this shall decide the controversy."
Johnstone immediately
discharged a reserved pistol, and Somerville made a narrow escape, as the ball grazed
his breast, carrying off two buttons, and cutting the cloth.
The Laird of Westerhall and his followers, severely wounded, succeeded in gaining the other side of the ford, but they would have been all taken and put to death by their pursuers if the villagers of Pettinain, attracted to the scene of strife by the firing of the pistols, had not interfered, by forcing the Somerville party back over the ford. Both parties stood for a short time looking at each other, separated by the Clyde, and after discharging a few pistol shots, which did no harm, they retired to their several homes. At this time the family of Westerhall possessed the estate of Pettinain in Lanarkshire, which had been bestowed on their ancestor in 1455, for his valour in the battle of Arkinholme.
 |
Westerhall really exclaimed "fuck you Arsehole" |
The Laird of Westerhall and his followers, severely wounded, succeeded in gaining the other side of the ford, but they would have been all taken and put to death by their pursuers if the villagers of Pettinain, attracted to the scene of strife by the firing of the pistols, had not interfered, by forcing the Somerville party back over the ford. Both parties stood for a short time looking at each other, separated by the Clyde, and after discharging a few pistol shots, which did no harm, they retired to their several homes. At this time the family of Westerhall possessed the estate of Pettinain in Lanarkshire, which had been bestowed on their ancestor in 1455, for his valour in the battle of Arkinholme.
