Earl of Nithsdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earldom of Nithsdale |
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| Creation date | 9 November 1620 |
| Monarch | James VI and I |
| Peerage | Peerage of Scotland |
| First holder | Robert Maxwell, 1st Earl of Nithsdale |
| Last holder | William Maxwell, 5th Earl of Nithsdale |
| Subsidiary titles | Lord Maxwell |
| Status | Extinct |
| Motto | "Reviresco (I flourish again)" |
The Earl of Nithsdale was a special title in Scotland. It was part of the Peerage of Scotland. A "peerage" is a system of noble titles, like Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. These titles were given by the King or Queen.
The title of Earl of Nithsdale was first given in 1620. It was created for Robert Maxwell, 9th Lord Maxwell. He also received the title of Lord Maxwell, Eskdale and Carlyle at the same time. The older title of Lord Maxwell had been created much earlier, in 1445. This first Lord Maxwell was named Herbert Maxwell.
Sometimes, the numbering of the Lords Maxwell can be a bit confusing. This happened because one Lord gave his title to his son. But his son passed away before him. Even so, people usually count the son as the third Lord Maxwell. The fourth Lord Maxwell was killed in a big battle called the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The 8th Lord Maxwell faced a serious punishment in Edinburgh in 1613 after a conflict.
When the second Earl of Nithsdale passed away in 1667, the titles went to John Maxwell. He was already the 7th Lord Herries of Terregles. He then became the third Earl of Nithsdale. His grandson, the fifth Earl, was involved in a historical event. This was the Jacobite rising of 1715. Because of this, his titles were taken away.
However, Lord Nithsdale made a very famous escape. He was held in the Tower of London and was supposed to face a serious punishment. But the day before, he cleverly swapped clothes with his wife's maid. This allowed him to escape! The title of Lordship of Herries of Terregles was later given back to his family. That title still exists today.
The Lords Maxwell (1445)
Here are the people who held the title of Lord Maxwell:
- Herbert Maxwell, 1st Lord Maxwell (died around 1454)
- Robert Maxwell, 2nd Lord Maxwell (died around 1485)
- John Maxwell, 3rd Lord Maxwell (died 1484, before his father)
- John Maxwell, 4th Lord Maxwell (born around 1476, died 1513)
- Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (1493–1546)
- Robert Maxwell, 6th Lord Maxwell (died around 1553)
- Robert Maxwell, 7th Lord Maxwell (1551–1555), who was only four years old
- John Maxwell, 8th Lord Maxwell (1553–1593), who was briefly the Earl of Morton
- John Maxwell, 9th Lord Maxwell (1583–1613)
- Robert Maxwell, 10th Lord Maxwell (1586–1646) (He became the first Earl of Nithsdale in 1620)
The Earls of Nithsdale (1620)
These are the people who held the title of Earl of Nithsdale:
- Robert Maxwell, 1st Earl of Nithsdale (1586–1646)
- Robert Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Nithsdale (1620–1667)
- John Maxwell, 3rd Earl of Nithsdale (died 1677)
- Robert Maxwell, 4th Earl of Nithsdale (1628–1696)
- William Maxwell, 5th Earl of Nithsdale (1676–1744) (His titles were taken away in 1716)
See also
