The Steel Bonnets. George Fraser MacDonald

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       VII

       The riding surnames

      It is significant that in the sixteenth-century Borderland the words “road” and “raid” were synonymous. So were “raiding” and “riding”—when the Armstrongs, for example, were described as “ever riding”, it meant simply that they never ceased from foraying. So when one speaks of the riding surnames, the phrase covers those families who were the principal reivers.

      Any list of them must be selective, and what follows is not a comprehensive roll, but a brief and general guide to the main riding tribes, with some of the smaller surnames added because they are of particular interest. It should be remembered that the names are not chosen for national or political importance, but for their prominence in the limited sphere of frontier reiving; thus the Douglases and Percies, famous families who were active in the early days of Border warfare, are omitted, because they were hardly riding families, while the Burns and Storeys, comparatively unimportant in any national sense, are included because they were active forayers.

      Similarly, the personalities mentioned have been chosen only for their Border interest—e.g. Richie of Brackenhill is not a shining light in the roll of the whole Graham family, which includes people like Montrose and Claverhouse, but he was a Borderer and they were not.

      In listing twenty-one tribes I have simply given their names, with some of their alternative spellings where appropriate; then their main areas of occupation (it will be noted that some of them lived on both sides of the frontier) and principal Border branches; a short comment; a selection of some noteworthy individuals, and a final line indicating the status and numbers of the family in the Border country today.

      ARMSTRONG

      (Armstrang)

Principally Scottish, but probably of Cumbrian origin, Liddesdale, DL¹, Eskdale, Annandale, EWM, SEM. Chief branches, Mangerton, Whithaugh, Calfhills, etc.

      The name means literally what it says (cf. Fortinbras), and the Armstrongs were the most feared and dangerous riding clan on the whole frontier. As Satchells put it:

      On the Border was the Armstrongs, able men,

       Somewhat unruly, and very ill to tame.

      In Johnnie Armstrong’s day (c. 1528) they could put 3000 men into the saddle, and probably did more damage by foray than any other two families combined, both in England and Scotland. Frequently allied themselves with England.

      Notables: Johnnie Armstrong, Kinmont Willie Armstrong, Sim the Laird (c. 1528), Ill Will Armstrong, Sandie (his son), Old Sim of Mangerton, the Laird’s Jock (c. 1587), Dick of Dryhope, Jock of the Side (c. 1570), Lance of Whithaugh, et al., et al.

      Still numerous in Cumberland.

      BELL

      English and Scottish. Gilsland, SWM, Annandale.

      A “great surname” of the West March, active in raiding and feud, and particularly hostile to the Grahams. One theory about the name is that it originally signified good looks.

      Notables: Willie Redcloak, Christopher Bell.

      Very common today.

      BURN

      (Bourne)

      Scottish. East Teviotdale.

      A most predatory and vicious family of the Middle March, whose raids and murders reached a peak in the 1590s, when they were operating under the protection of Robert Kerr of Cessford. They were perhaps the worst of that East Teviotdale fraternity of whom Robert Carey wrote that to cross them was to provoke a sanguinary feud—for example, they are reckoned to have killed seventeen Collingwoods in revenge for the death of one man of their own.

      Notables: Geordie Burn, Jock and Ralph of the Coate, Charlie and Mark of Elisheuch.

      Fairly common today.

      CHARLTON

      (Carleton)

      English, although in its alternate form the name appears in southwestern Scotland also. Tynedale.

      The Charltons were one of the hardiest and most intractable families on the English side, and were alternately allied to and at feud with the Scottish tribes in the west. Latterly they were engaged in a bitter vendetta with the Scotts of Buccleuch. Although Carleton is another form of the name, the Cumbrian Carletons had no alliance or association with the Tynedale Charltons.

      Notables: Lionel of Thornburgh, John of the Bower, Thomas of Hawcop.

      Still in Northumberland.

      CROSER

      (Crosar, Crozier)

      Mainly Scottish. Upper Liddesdale, Teviotdale, but also in Bewcastle where in 1592 they were “sore decaied”. Chief branch, Riccarton.

      A small but hard-riding family, often associated with Nixons and Elliots, and like them often allied with England. Frequently lumped under such descriptives as “theeves of Scotland” and “loose men”.

      Notables: Ill Wild Will Croser, “Nebless” (Noseless) Clemmie, Martin’s Clemmie.

      Much dispersed.

      ELLIOT

      (Elwood—see note)

      Scottish, possibly of east coast origin. Liddesdale, Teviotdale, Ewesdale. Chief branches, Redheuch (whose chief was Keeper of Hermitage Castle), Lariston, Steile, Park, etc.

      The second family of Liddesdale, and although less numerous than the Armstrongs, with whom they were frequently allied, they were as predatory as any clan on the frontier. Occasionally under English protection, they received СКАЧАТЬ