The Real History is More Complex than the Novel
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In the novel Dryfe Sands, Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, younger (junior), the protagonist of the novel, is the only child of his parents, although he has several half siblings. As a matter of historical fact, he really had a number of full siblings. A History of the Douglas Family of Morton by Percy W. L. Adams (pages 116-117, footnote 108A) provides information about Robert and his siblings:
- Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, younger, was the eldest son of his two parents, Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, elder (senior), and Marion Maxwell of Carnsalloch. Many sources cite the remarkable fact that Robert fought in the 1593 Battle of Dryfe Sands Sands when he was only eleven years old. As an adult, Robert served as tutor (guardian) for his under-aged chief, James Johnstone of that ilk, son of the murdered clan chief who had been the victor at the Battle of Dryfe Sands. Under Scottish law, Robert was eligible to serve as Tutor of Johnstone because he was the closest male relative to the chief on the paternal side.
- Mungo Johnstone of Howcleuch was a son of Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch (elder) "who may have been illegitimate." "Mongo Johnnestoun in Howcleuch" is named as a Dryfe Sands combatant in the 1594 Respite of King James VI. To me, this means that Mungo was either 1) younger than eleven when he fought at Dryfe Sands (which seems unlikely), or 2) he was older and was a nonmarital son of Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, elder.
- Archibald Johnstone
- William Johnstone
- Francis Johnstone
- Sara Johnstone
- Grizel Johnstone
- Dorothy Johnstone
The last six children are referred to as "lawful children" of the decedent in an inhibition (restraint by creditors on the land and buildings of a debtor) against the deceased Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch (elder), dated July 7, 1624, transferred to "Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, his son." The inhibition does not mention Mungo as a "lawful" child of the decedent. The inhibition is dated thirty-two years after the death of Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, elder, who died in 1592. Robert (younger) was in his 40s in 1624.
Marion Maxwell of Carnsalloch, mother of Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, younger, had a daughter, Margaret Maxwell, from a prior marriage. Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, elder, had a nonmarital daughter, Katherine. Both of these children were half-siblings of Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, younger.
Robert Johnstone of Raecleuch, younger, and Barbara Douglas had five sons and four daughters .
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Dryfe Sands
A Novel of Scotland’s Bitterest Clan Feud
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