Border Reiver

From the 13th Century through to the beginning of the 17th, the border lands between England and Scotland were home to the Reivers, lawless gangs who survived by plundering livestock, but who also engaged in other practises such as kidnapping and racketeering.

The lives and deeds of the Reivers were celebrated in the famous Border Ballads, popularised by Sir Walter Scott in the 18th Century. The Ballads portray the Reivers in a romantic light and as brave, noble and honourable. Sir Walter Scott was keen to present these aspects of the legends. However, as a keen historian of the Scottish borders, it is likely that he would have known that the Reivers lived in harsh, unforgiving conditions and were undoubtedly courageous, but also ruthless and at times cruel.

The word ‘reive‘ means to rob or plunder. Livestock was the main focus of the raids, although anything portable and of value could be stolen. Border Reivers were not outlaws in the fugitive sense of the word; some may have lived separate from the main community, but most did not. They were often either farmers or land holders, but reiving was not limited to any particular social class. Many nobles, including some of the March Wardens, were themselves some of the most notorious raiders. Reiving was simply an integral part of Border life.

The Border Lands, territorial patch of the Border Reiver, straddle the once disputed boundary and Debatable Land between ”two of the most energetic, aggressive, talented and altogether formidable nations in history”, England and Scotland. 

The heads of powerful families such as Douglas, Pringle and Scott harried their neighbours and built strongholds to protect themselves.  The ruins of their towers can still be seen today, over 400 years later, throughout the Borders landscape.  A few have been rebuilt as homes whilst the Pringle stronghold of Smailholm Tower, near Kelso, which later belonged to the Scotts, now portrays Sir Walter Scotts “Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders”.  To get a real feel for the bleakness of Reiver history, visit Hermitage Castle, near Newcastleton; magnificently preserved, it was once home to Mary Queen of Scots‘ lover and husband, the Earl of Bothwell. 

Reiver Family Names:

Perhaps you are a Scott, Douglas or Pringle and want to track down your reiver ancestors! Scotland has a selection of high quality information to assist in your search, including statutory records of births, marriages and deaths, census records and old parish records. You can visit the Scottish Borders Archive and Local History Centre, Library Headquarters, St Mary's Mill, Selkirk, to help you learn more about your ancestral roots.

Further information:
http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/council/specialinterest/heartofhawick/
http://www.ancestralscotland.com/explore/regions-counties/the-borders/
http://www.backtotheborders.com/
http://www.reivers.com/
http://www.borderreivers.co.uk/