William Maxwell, 5th Earl of Nithsdale facts for kids

William Maxwell, 5th Earl of Nithsdale (1676–1744) was a Scottish nobleman. He was a Roman Catholic who supported the Jacobite cause. This meant he wanted the old royal family, the Stuarts, to return to the throne.

He became famous for his amazing escape from the Tower of London. He was set to be executed for treason, but his wife helped him get away. His family's title, Lord Herries of Terregles, was later given back to his descendants.

Early Life and Family Background

William Maxwell was born in 1676, probably at Terregles Castle in Scotland. He was the oldest son of Robert Maxwell, the fourth Earl of Nithsdale. His mother was Lady Lucie Douglas.

William's father died when he was young. So, his mother, the Dowager Countess, raised him. She taught him to be a strong Roman Catholic. She also taught him to be loyal to the Stuart family, who had lost the throne.

Supporting the Jacobite Cause

When William turned 21 in 1697, he secretly visited the Stuart family in France. He promised his loyalty to the exiled King James II. There, he met his future wife, Lady Winifred Herbert. She was the daughter of the Duke of Powis.

They married in France in 1699 and then moved back to Scotland. They lived at his family home in Terregles. As a Catholic nobleman, he was sometimes targeted by others who didn't like his religion. People suspected him of supporting the Jacobites.

The 1715 Jacobite Uprising

In 1712, William gave his estate to his son, also named William. This was a way to protect it. In the Jacobite rising of 1715, he decided to join the fight. He announced his support for James III and VIII in towns like Dumfries. Then, he joined the main Jacobite army.

However, the Jacobite forces were defeated. William Maxwell was captured at Preston. He was sent to London, put on trial, and found guilty of treason. This meant he was accused of going against the king. On February 9, 1716, he was sentenced to death.

A Daring Escape from the Tower

William's devoted wife, Winifred, heard about his capture. She traveled all the way from Scotland to London. She tried very hard to get him pardoned, but it didn't work. So, she came up with a clever plan to rescue him.

The night before his execution, on February 24, 1716, she put her plan into action. With the help of two other women, she visited him in the Tower of London. She brought a maid with her. Inside his room, William quickly changed clothes with the maid. He put on her coat and hood.

Disguised as the maid, he walked out of the Tower right past the guards. They didn't even notice him! He then escaped to France. His wife returned to Scotland to make sure their son got the family estate. Later, she joined William in Paris. They then moved to Rome, Italy. They lived there, connected to the exiled Stuart family, until William's death in 1744.

In Literature

The exciting story of the Earl of Nithsdale's escape became famous. It even inspired a poem! James Hogg wrote a poem called Ballad of the Lord Maxwell. It was first published in a magazine in 1831.