The Border Reivers Start Page

rom the 14th to the 17th Century, the western end of the border between Scotland and England was a turbulent and lawless place. In these 'Debatable Lands' to the north of Carlisle, the line of the border was not clearly defined. Many lives were lost as local families,like the Armstrongs, Elliots and Grahams, fought to uphold their honour and to expand their property and possessions in this remote land.

he border 'Reivers' (an old name for robber or bandit) carried out raids in which their victims lost their cattle, and sometimes their lives. Carlisle was frequently attacked.

any places were fortified with a pele tower. These were small stone buildings with walls from 3 to 10 feet thick, square or oblong in shape, which were designed to withstand short sieges.