Friday, 14 May 2010
Reivers - Border Marches of England and Scotland By Tom W Moss
Districts Set in Place to Control the Scottish/English Reivers The Border Marches of England and Scotland
The Border Laws were unique to the Border Country of England and Scotland. Initially formulated as early as 1249, they sought to control the clans of the Border territories until the Union of the two Crowns in 1603. Their origin prompted a system of administrative control.
The Border lands of the two countries are a combination of deep and fertile river valleys dominated by the Esk and Tweed and extensive areas of windswept uplands where the lonely Cheviot Hills hold sway. In medieval times to control such a vast area would have been an onerous undertaking. By the early fourteenth century a solution had been reached and the country on each side of the Border Line was divided into distinct districts known as the East, Middle and West Marches.
The East Marches
The East March of Scotland included the town of Berwick (which was to often change hands) and covered most of Berwickshire as far north as the Lammermuir Hills and west to the Hanging Stone in the Cheviots. Its English counterpart to the south included most of north-eastern Northumberland as far south as the river Aln and some of the lands of the Palinate of Durham, namely Norhamshire and Islandshire. A dominant stronghold in this area was Bamburgh Castle.
The Middle Marches
On the Scottish side this included the remainder of Berwickshire and Roxburghshire in its entirety. The principal towns were Hawick, Kelso and Jedburgh. Originally the Scottish Middle March incorporated the valley of Liddesdale within its bounds. It was such a hostile place however, known as the "Cockpit of the Borders", and one of the most dangerous places to live in the whole of Europe, that it eventually fell to separate administration. The English Middle March consisted of parts of Northumberland including Tynedale and Redesdale. The people of these valleys were akin in hostility and belligerence to their opposite numbers of Liddesdale.
The West Marches
The Scottish West March was made up of the Sheriffdom of Dumfries and the Stewartries of Annandale and Kirkcudbright. Dumfries was the major town in the Scottish West which was dominated for centuries by the clans of Maxwell and Johnstone. The March was controlled from Caerlaverock Castle. The English West encompassed the whole of Cumberland and Westmorland (modern day Cumbria). Its centre of operations was Carlisle Castle with garrisons at Askerton, Bewcastle and Rockcliffe.
The Formation of the Marches Sought to Control a Fierce, Warlike People
The clans of the Borders were hard, obdurate people inured to deprivation and incessant loss of livelihood. They answered to neither authority nor monarchy. They lived and died by a far older order, that of allegiance to their clan leader. The promulgation of the English Scottish Border Marches might have sought to bring order and peace to a land in turmoil but they needed men of a special calibre to enforce the Border Law within each of the six districts; men who were all things to all men. They would need the ability to organise and control the inhabitants of their Marches in time of war between the nations and demonstrate a firm yet impartial approach in dealing with the array of crime from theft to blackmail and murder which beset the Border country. These men were known as the March Wardens.
In 1985 I moved to the Scottish Borders and fell in love with the place. It was a surprise to find out that I knew nothing of the Border Reivers, the lawless clans who held sway in the Border country for centuries. I found their history to be absorbing and fascinating and today, twenty-five years later, the enthusiasm and passion shows no sign of waning.
I have written a book about the most infamous Scottish Border Reiver of the 16th century, Kinmont Willie Armstrong. It is called 'Deadlock and Deliverance',
Tom Moss.
For more of the rich history of the Border Reivers see my web-site at: http://www.reivershistory.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_W_Moss
Tom W Moss - EzineArticles Expert Author
The Border Laws were unique to the Border Country of England and Scotland. Initially formulated as early as 1249, they sought to control the clans of the Border territories until the Union of the two Crowns in 1603. Their origin prompted a system of administrative control.
The Border lands of the two countries are a combination of deep and fertile river valleys dominated by the Esk and Tweed and extensive areas of windswept uplands where the lonely Cheviot Hills hold sway. In medieval times to control such a vast area would have been an onerous undertaking. By the early fourteenth century a solution had been reached and the country on each side of the Border Line was divided into distinct districts known as the East, Middle and West Marches.
The East Marches
The East March of Scotland included the town of Berwick (which was to often change hands) and covered most of Berwickshire as far north as the Lammermuir Hills and west to the Hanging Stone in the Cheviots. Its English counterpart to the south included most of north-eastern Northumberland as far south as the river Aln and some of the lands of the Palinate of Durham, namely Norhamshire and Islandshire. A dominant stronghold in this area was Bamburgh Castle.
The Middle Marches
On the Scottish side this included the remainder of Berwickshire and Roxburghshire in its entirety. The principal towns were Hawick, Kelso and Jedburgh. Originally the Scottish Middle March incorporated the valley of Liddesdale within its bounds. It was such a hostile place however, known as the "Cockpit of the Borders", and one of the most dangerous places to live in the whole of Europe, that it eventually fell to separate administration. The English Middle March consisted of parts of Northumberland including Tynedale and Redesdale. The people of these valleys were akin in hostility and belligerence to their opposite numbers of Liddesdale.
The West Marches
The Scottish West March was made up of the Sheriffdom of Dumfries and the Stewartries of Annandale and Kirkcudbright. Dumfries was the major town in the Scottish West which was dominated for centuries by the clans of Maxwell and Johnstone. The March was controlled from Caerlaverock Castle. The English West encompassed the whole of Cumberland and Westmorland (modern day Cumbria). Its centre of operations was Carlisle Castle with garrisons at Askerton, Bewcastle and Rockcliffe.
The Formation of the Marches Sought to Control a Fierce, Warlike People
The clans of the Borders were hard, obdurate people inured to deprivation and incessant loss of livelihood. They answered to neither authority nor monarchy. They lived and died by a far older order, that of allegiance to their clan leader. The promulgation of the English Scottish Border Marches might have sought to bring order and peace to a land in turmoil but they needed men of a special calibre to enforce the Border Law within each of the six districts; men who were all things to all men. They would need the ability to organise and control the inhabitants of their Marches in time of war between the nations and demonstrate a firm yet impartial approach in dealing with the array of crime from theft to blackmail and murder which beset the Border country. These men were known as the March Wardens.
In 1985 I moved to the Scottish Borders and fell in love with the place. It was a surprise to find out that I knew nothing of the Border Reivers, the lawless clans who held sway in the Border country for centuries. I found their history to be absorbing and fascinating and today, twenty-five years later, the enthusiasm and passion shows no sign of waning.
I have written a book about the most infamous Scottish Border Reiver of the 16th century, Kinmont Willie Armstrong. It is called 'Deadlock and Deliverance',
Tom Moss.
For more of the rich history of the Border Reivers see my web-site at: http://www.reivershistory.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_W_Moss
Tom W Moss - EzineArticles Expert Author
A Brief Guide to Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway By Simon Haughtone Platinum Quality Author
Gretna is a small town in the region of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. The even smaller town of Gretna Green is right on the doorstep of Gretna, meaning that the two towns are often counted as just one. Gretna is close to the Scotland-England border and is a popular destination for many visitors.
The town has been a settlement for over 300 years and was the post for collecting taxes when passing from Scotland to England. The town was expanded during the First World War and was home to one of the largest munitions factory ever built.
Many couples in love elope to get married in Gretna Green every year. This is because it is legal to marry at the age of 16 without parental consent in Scotland; English law states that you have to be 18 or over to marry without parental consent.
There are several attractions of interest in the town of Gretna. Visitors flock to the Old Blacksmith's Shop Center. Not only can you pick up some great souvenirs, the center details the history of Gretna Green and the romance of runaways getting married. The town also has a dolls museum which has over 1,000 dolls in its collection, dating as far back as 1830. In the immediate area, visitors can enjoy pursuits such as fishing, walking, cycling, horse riding, golf, tennis, clay-pigeon shooting and quad biking.
Shopping opportunities exist in Gretna and are quite extensive considering the size of the town. The Gretna Gateway Outlet Village is a shopping center offering a range of goods from tartan scarves to Celtic jewellery, traditional confectionary to whiskey. There are also smaller, traditional family businesses offering a range of items for sale.
There are several restaurants in Gretna for eating out during the day and evening. Most of the establishments offer a menu with traditional Scottish fare as well as some international dishes. Restaurateurs in Gretna pride themselves on using local produce and fresh ingredients, guaranteeing a sumptuous and tasty meal.
For a wide selection of Gretna hotels just click here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone
The town has been a settlement for over 300 years and was the post for collecting taxes when passing from Scotland to England. The town was expanded during the First World War and was home to one of the largest munitions factory ever built.
Many couples in love elope to get married in Gretna Green every year. This is because it is legal to marry at the age of 16 without parental consent in Scotland; English law states that you have to be 18 or over to marry without parental consent.
There are several attractions of interest in the town of Gretna. Visitors flock to the Old Blacksmith's Shop Center. Not only can you pick up some great souvenirs, the center details the history of Gretna Green and the romance of runaways getting married. The town also has a dolls museum which has over 1,000 dolls in its collection, dating as far back as 1830. In the immediate area, visitors can enjoy pursuits such as fishing, walking, cycling, horse riding, golf, tennis, clay-pigeon shooting and quad biking.
Shopping opportunities exist in Gretna and are quite extensive considering the size of the town. The Gretna Gateway Outlet Village is a shopping center offering a range of goods from tartan scarves to Celtic jewellery, traditional confectionary to whiskey. There are also smaller, traditional family businesses offering a range of items for sale.
There are several restaurants in Gretna for eating out during the day and evening. Most of the establishments offer a menu with traditional Scottish fare as well as some international dishes. Restaurateurs in Gretna pride themselves on using local produce and fresh ingredients, guaranteeing a sumptuous and tasty meal.
For a wide selection of Gretna hotels just click here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone
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