Maxwell, William
From AngloScottish
| Dates | 1715-16 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Preston, London | ||
| Vocation | Jacobite army officer and courtier | ||
| Place of Birth | Terregles Castle, near Dumfries | ||
| Marriage | Winifred Herbet | ||
| Issue | Anne and William | ||
| Place of birth | Source | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
Fifth Earl of Nithsdale. Partisan of the Stuart cause because of upbringing by mother (Lady Lucy Douglas). Upon marriage to Lady Winifred, Nithsdale encountered problems owing to her confession as a Roman Catholic. Joined Jacobite rising of 1715 – accompanied army on march through England (via Kendal, Lancaster, etc.). Nithsdale surrendered at Preston and was taken prisoner to London where he was confined to the Tower. He was tried for treason at Westminster Hall (1716) and sentenced to be executed. Lady Winifred travelled to London to lobby for husband's release. When she failed to secure a full pardon she successfully broke him out of prison. Nithsdale fled, first to France, then settled in Italy where he died at Rome.
