The Border Reivers
For the families who lived along the England-Scotland
border life
was hard with constant warring between
the two countries.
The armies who continually passed
by harassed the local
population demanding food
without payment and destroying
everything,
including homes and crops, in their path.
As a
result, the families had to depend on other ways
to survive. They took to reiving - raiding for cattle,
sheep and whatever else could be transported.
For over three hundred years, reiving was a way of life with The Border Reivers launching their violent attacks far beyond their home territory.
With the accession of James I in 1603, law and order returned and the Reivers
reign gradually ended. Many of their descendants became pitmen in Northumberland
and Durham. Some emigrated to Australia and America. The first man on the
moon was an Armstrong, descended from the Reivers of that name.
Are you descended from a famous Border Reiver family? Just click here to see the list of Reiver surnames.
Today, the remains of Reivers’ fortified strongholds bear witness to these troubled times and visitors can explore this fascinating region on The Reivers Trail.
The Border Reivers Trail - www.visitcumbria.com/reivers/ - www.thereivertrail.com
For more information on Longtown and the surrounding area call 01228 625600