The Border Reivers
From the early 1300's through the 16th century, the border regions of Scotland and England were a permanent battleground. The Clans that lived in this devastated area, of which the Elliot's are one, were violently and forcibly thrown into this never-ending war between the two Kingdoms. They reacted with great violence, anger, and mistrust to all around them - They became the "Reivers".
What drove them to this lifestye? No doubt - - it was the constant and unrelenting "kill and burn" technique that was taken out for centuries on these people and their lands.... This technique was originally devised and mastered by the Normans, and formally began with the arrival of William the Conqueror. His treatment of Nothumbria was barbaric, to say the least - - but it did work.
The people of the Borders, knew a harsh world, one that was filled with extreme violence and brutality - only the strong and intelligent of these people survived. The environment that they knew was cruel; they lived in a permanent state of semi-lawlessness. The result was, they evolved into a rugged, tough people who developed and enforced their own laws - because neither Scotland nor England had their best interests in mind, their only law was survival....
Because of this brutal code of conduct, and their way of life, they became known as the "Border Raiders" or 'Reivers'. The law they followed was directed by each Clans Chief; and this Clan Chief and their family was their only true allegiance, it was where their loyalty resided. The practice of reiving was not only limited to people that had been by some misfortune, suffered the brunt of an English raiding party - - Reiving was an accepted way of life. Many a Border noblemen and Clan Chief participated in, and profited from these raiding activities.
When Did the Pratice of Reiving Begin?
It is not clear when the widespread acceptance of the "Reiving" lifestyle began - nor do we know when reiving formally started. It was perhaps the desperate reply to some barbaric raid by the English. Most likely - With homes destroyed, food and crops gone, and nowhere to turn, they gathered together and took their anger out on the closest people - The unfortunate English, on the other side of the Border... They took whatever they could, then burned and destroyed the rest.
By Elizabeth's rein lawlessness and raiding on the border had increased so that in desperation it was suggested that the Roman wall be rebuilt and that Castle/Towers be built a mile apart to deter raiding by these Reiving Scots. It would also provide a means to invade Scotland at will. This was never done, but it does show what the conditions on the borders - even when the two countries claimed they were at peace. It is said that, in the mid to late 1500's, things were so bad even the priests carried weapons. Bishop Leslie, a historian, wrote in 1572 that: 'their [Borderers] devotion to their rosaries was never greater than before setting out on a raid, and on the Scottish Border it was the custom of christening to leave unblest the child's master hand in order that unhallowed blows could be struck upon the enemy' It was said that Leslie counted the Borderers among his flock. When a visitor to Liddesdale found no churches, demanded: "Are there no Christians here?, he received the reply, "Na, we's a' Elliots and Armstrangs."
Armstrongs: or Armstrang held lands both in the English West March and the Scottish East March. The Armstrongs were the most feared riding clan on the frontier. By 1528 ,numerous sources claim they could put 3,000 men into the saddle. In the middle 1500's the whole populaton of Scotland was only a little over 300,000. So it is very obvious why this clan was feared and respected.
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 long suffered personal mistreatment, which resluted in bitter resentment and harsh anger against the border clans (Elliotts and Armstrongs included) - The Armstrongs were in support of the Chief of the Red Douglases, Archibald, the 6th Earl of Angus. As you may recall, it was Archibald that 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. His real purpose was not a hunting excursion... James still held much resentment for the Elliots and Armstrongs... 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. So quite 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 either of any 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.
The Borders produced many outlaws, broken men, and corrupt officials - - It also produced men of great valor, courageous men of tremendous strength and moral character; men that would sacrifice all for the preservation of their families. The Clans names that once struck fear into men's hearts - Armstrongs, Elliots, Douglases, Grahams, Kerrs, Maxwells, Johnstons and Nixons to name a few - the legacy of the Reivers remains, even to this day. One of the more infamous of these people that lived in the Borders - was William Elliot of Larriston, a nobleman/knight that lived in the Liddesdale area. A ballad was written about him that describes in detail the results of a border raid.... It relays the desperation that the fleeing people felt and explains the reasoning for reliance they had for Clan's Headmen, such as Elliot of Larriston.
"The Lion of Liddesdale"
"Lock the Door Larriston" (Border Ballad - written by James Hogg, abt.1800) Lock the door, Larriston, Lion of Liddesdale Lock the door, Larriston, Lowther comes on The Armstrongs are flying, The Widows are crying, The Castleton's burning and Oliver's gone. Lock the door, Larriston; high in the weather gleam See how the Saxon plumes bob in the sky - Yeoman and carbineer, Billman and halberdier, Fierce is the foray and far is the cry. Bewcastle brandishes high his proud scimitar, Ridley is riding his fleet-foot grey; Hedley and Howard there, Wandale and Windermere, Lock the door, Larriston, hold them at bay. Why dost thou smile, noble Elliot of Larriston? Why does the joy-candle gleam in thine eye? Thou bold border-ranger Beware of the danger. Thy foes are relentless, determined, and nigh. Jock Elliott raised up his steel bonnet and lookit, His hand grasped the sword with a nervous embrace; Oh, welcome, brave foemen, On earth there are no men More gallant to meet in the fray or the chase. Little know you of the hearts I have hidden here; Little know you of our moss trooper's might; Linhope and Sorbie true, Tundhope and Milburn too, Gentle in manner, but lions in fight. I have Mangerton, Ogilvie, Raeburn, and Metherble, Old Sim, of Whitram and all his array. Come all Northumberland, Teesdale and Cumberland, Here at the Breeker Tower end shall the fray. Scowled the broad sun o'er the links of green Liddesdale, Red as the beacon-light tipped he the wold; Many a bold martial eye Mirror'd that morning sky Never more oped on his orbit of gold. Shrill was the bugle's note, dreadful the warrior shout, Lances and halberts in splinters were torn; Helmet and haubert then Brav'd the claymore in vain, Buckler and armlet in shivers were shorn. See how they wane, the proud files of the Windermere, Howard ah! Woe to the hopes of the day; Hear the wild welkin rend, While the Scots shouts ascend, Elliot of Larriston! Elliot for aye! This ballad was written by James Hogg, in about 1800. Hogg a was famous borders poet and song writter. He was born in about 1770 and dieid in 1835. James Hogg also came to be known as the, "Ettrick Shepherd".
Elliott Clan and Border Reivers DNA Project
There is currently a DNA Project underway that may be of some interest to those of you that are of Elliott and or Border Reiver descent. Not only can the results from this test help distinguish between one Scottish family and another, it can also be used to show how two different families may be related. This DNA test cannot tell you exactly how many generations back the common paternal ancestor may be, nor can it tell you who that ancestor was, but the results of this Y chromosome DNA test can be very helpful genealogically! Family Tree DNA will do the Y chromosome DNA tests at the group rate for anyone who is willing to join the Elliott DNA Project. Only a male with the Elliott surname would be eligible for the Elliott DNA Project. This Y chromosome DNA test can only be done on one ancestral line - the direct paternal ancestral line, which runs from father to son. Each man has only one direct paternal ancestral line, while he may have inherited many other ancestral lines from both his father and his mother, according to group administrator of this project.
If you would like more information just contact James V. Elliott, Group Administrator of the Elliott (And Border Reivers) DNA Project. His address is: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gallgaedhil/elliott_border_reivers_dna.htm
You may order a Y chromosome DNA testing kit from Family Tree DNA at: http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=K58255
