Rose Cottage Publications
I have always had a love of British history.
From the Roman Invasion of our little Isle to the devastating conflict of the Civil War when father fought son to rid our land of absolute monarchy or bolster its dated virtues, to the fruitless attempts of the Stuarts to re-establish themselves on the English throne, I have been captivated by the characters and events.
History can be a most pleasant journey where colour and sound, smell and atmosphere abound. I have loved it all. Love it yet.
I had never heard of the Border Reivers until shortly after my move to the north and now bless the day that I took up sticks, somewhat hesitantly I must add, and arrived in this beautiful place. I have a great affection for the history of the Border now, have avidly read all I can lay my hands on and visited over 600 battle field sites, reiver towers and bastles.
The Beginning
Were the Border Reivers truly evil, a band of murderers, thieves and blackmailers, or the legacy of an earlier time...
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Border Wars
The relationship between England and Scotland had been amicable whilst Alexander 3rd of Scotland ruled...
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Deadlock & Deliverance
Kinmont Willie, most infamous of Scottish Border Reivers was eventually captured by the English following a ‘Day of Truce’...
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Kinmont Willie Armstrong Trail
The capture and rescue of Kinmont Willie Armstrong,most notorious of the 16th century Border Reivers...
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Kinmont Willie Armstrong Life
It is not known when William Armstrong of Kinmont was born nor, for that matter, does the year of his death come readily to hand...
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Great Raid of Tynedale
William Armstrong, called Kynmont, with one thousand horsemen of Liddesdale, Eskdale, Annandale and Ewesdale ran an open day foray in Tynedale.
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Border Reiver Names
The Scottish English Border lands were divided into six administrative areas known as Marches. There were three on ech side of the Border- East, Middle and West.
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The Border Laws
The Border Laws were formalised in an attempt to control the burgeoning level of crime which became endemic in the country south and north of the English\Scottish Border Line.
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Richie Graham of Brackenhill
In 1584 George Graham, alias Parcivall's Geordie, was murdered by Richie Graham of Brackenhill at Levens Bridge.
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The March Wardens & Justice
The March Wardens, English and Scottish, worked in direct opposition to each other across the Border Line.
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An English West March Warden
Last of the West March Wardens up to the Union of the Crowns of England and Scotland in 1603 was Thomas Lord Scrope.
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