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The Society’s version of this dance can be traced to Rutherford’s first collection of about 1755 where it is given as *Maxwill’s Rant*. 

The Maxwells, in common with many of the great Border families, regularly changed allegiance between English and Scottish monarchs as best suited the family interest. For example, Sir Eustace Maxwell held Caerlaverock Castle, the family seat, for Edward I in 1312 but by 1320 was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath as a supporter of Robert the Bruce although five months later he was accused, and cleared, of involvement in an attempted assassination of The Bruce.
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