Johnny Armstrong of Gilnockie |
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Johnny Armstrong of Gilnockie or Gilnockie as he was sometimes called, was the second chief of the Armstrong clan, brother of Thomas, Laird of Mangerton. He was probably the most famous of all the Border reivers, dreaded on the English side of the Border, but dearly loved and much admired by his people. He was also a highly respected and gifted chief and was well-known. Johnny had established a very successful and lucrative "protection racket" which extended into England as far south as the River Tyne. Everyone that lived or often traveled in this region paid tribute to him for safety and protection. In the early to mid 1500's there was much disorder in Scotland. King James V was determined to re-establish the rule of law. Some of these brutal tatics that he now used was in reaction to a long suffered mistreatment and bitter resentment and anger and against the border clans (Armstrongs included) - They were in support of the Chief of the Red Douglases, Archibald, the 6th Earl of Angus. Archibald, had held James against his will a few years earlier, a power play for control. Archibald came into this position after, the mother of James, Margaret divorced him in 1526. The Red Douglas in effect ruled Scotland until 1528. After James escaped inprisonment, from Falkland Palace, he immediately rallied support. In 1528, James ordered the attack of Tantallon with heavy gun and an army of 20,000 men. The castle withstood 20 days of seige until the attackers gave up and retreated. The Earl himself, it is said then went into exhile and his lands were declared forfeit to the Crown. It was late Summer, the year 1531, King James left from Edinburgh, escorted by a strong force, he set off to go hunting in Ettrick forest. James still held much resentment... His real purpose was not a hunting excursion... On the way, several prominent outlaws were caught and sent back to Edinburgh where they were executed. Eventually, King James V and his men, encamped at Caerlanrig near Teviothead, and invited the chiefs or leaders of the principal reiving clans to meet him. He gave them assurances of his sincerity and promised that their lives would be spared if they were prepared to "submit themselves to their King", as he put it. Gilnockie, apparently, was among those invited. Considering his experience and astuteness, he must have been quite sure of his safety. Confidently, Gilnockie set off from Langholm Castle accompanied by an entourage of about 50 men, included Elliots, Littles and Irvines. They prepared well for the meeting equipping themselves in the very best attire and rode north. 
Passing through the narrows of Moss Paul, Johnny and his men were ambushed by a waiting detachment of the king's horsemen who escorted them to Caerlanrig. At Caerlanrig, they were brought before James who, when he saw them so finely attired, expressed much anger that they should surpass the king in finery of clothing. The King asked;' What wants yon knave that a king should have'. In very little time it became very clear that the king had no intention of granting any pardon and he ordered that Gilnockie and his companions be taken away and hanged. Gilnockie did not plead for their lives but tradition states that he did offer many inducements if their lives were spared; as Johnny was a powerful and wealthy chief and could offer much. However, it soon became clear that the king would not be swayed and proudly he said : 'I am but a fool to seek grace in a graceless face, but if I had known, sir, that you would have taken my life this day, I would have lived upon the Border in spite of King Harry (Henry VIII) and you both and would have don my best horse with gold to know that I was condemned to die this day'. And so they were led away outside and he and all his men were hanged. There is no official record in Scotland or in London of a trial, and it is quite clear that no trial took place. The previous year, 1530, the people of Eskdale had received remission and there is no reason for believing that any further charges had been brought against Gilnockie. He and his followers were reprehensibly betrayed and were hanged without any pretext of a trial. 
At Caerlanrig, beside the church and within a railed enclosure are the graves of Johnny Armstrong and his numerous followers, hanged without trial by the boy king James V, in 1531. Gilnockie was lamented throughout the Borders. Many said that -- He was as good a chief as any on the Borders. It is said that he never harmed one Scottish man. Tradition reports that the trees used for the hangings wilted and died after the bodies were cut down. From Caerlanrig the King next journeyed to Priesthaugh on Allan Water. He had hoped to accomplish the same task there. He had arranged to meet representatives of the Elliot family.. The Elliots, however, wisely declined to attend. Death of Gilnockie occurred in November 1531. The murder of Gilnockie and his men caused, first, disbelief and then rage, not only with the local clans but throughout much of the borders. Clans came out in open rebellion against James. Even the Border barons themselves turned against him. While there are no contemporary accounts of the arrangements that were made for this meeting, it is impossible to believe that Gilnokie would have deliberately submitted himself, and his men, to the king's authority unless he had received irrefutable assurances from the king of safe conduct. This act resulted in widespread condemnation by so many, even by those close to the king, turned on him. James V made many bad judgments and his injustice has earned him the contempt of many. He died when only 30, it is said, of shame. He left a week old daughter who latter became the infamous - Mary, Queen of the Scots. |