The Lion of Liddesdale
Accustomed to warfare since the days of Edward I, the Border Clans had fine-tuned their survival techniques. And over the centuries, only the hardiest and most alert of these people remained alive. William Elliot of Larriston was a knight that lived in the border area. He had a reputation as being a fierce and courageous fighter.
The Elliot's had other ballads written about them, but this is probably my favorite.. The Ballad, written by James Hogg around 1800, gives a clue about what life must have been like on the Borders.... Both the Elliots and the Armstrongs saw much destruction, compliments of whatever King was on the throne of England. Many had acquired an almost sixth sense when it came to foreseeing danger. They developed an early warning system. They would communicate with each other and send news of coming danger by setting fires on the hill tops - then sending mounted messengers. This was a very effective procedure in times of trouble and allowed those that lived in this area to either scatter to the hills or seek safety in the nearest castle or peel tower. It saved many lives...
"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!
The Elliots were less numerous than the Armstrongs with whom they were frequently allied, but were "as predatory as any clan on the border", many sources proclaim. Occasionally under English protection, the Elliot's received a subsidy from Queen Elizabeth during their feud with the Scotts - It is not yet clear exactly why. Notable Elliot names during this turbulent period were: Martin Elliot of Braidley, Little Jock of the Park, Robin of Redheuch, Archie Fire the Braes, William of Lariston, Martin's Gibb.
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 they could put 3000 men into the saddle. In the middle 1500's the whole populaton of Scotland was only a little over 300,000. So it is obvious why this clan was feared. Some of the famous Armstrong reiving names are Johnnie Armstrong, Kinmont Willie Armstrong, Sim the Laird, Ill Will Armstrong and Sandie his son, Dick of Dryhope, Jock of the Side.
Constant incidents kept the border up in arms. In 1508 the "Warden of the Middle Marches, Sir Robert Kerr, was investigating grievances under the terms of the truce between England and Scotland when he was murdered by three Englishmen. These men were Heron, Lilburn and Starhead. Heron came from one of the most turbulent border families. Lilburn was caught, but the others escaped. In 1513 the Warden of the Marches, Hume, raided Northumberland with a force of 6,000 men. On the way home with their plunder, they were confronted by English forces and the ensuing battle did not prove well for the Scots. This was called the Ill Raid and it prompted James IV to step up his strategy to teach the English a lesson. This Ill Raid led to the famous battle of Flodden where James himself and many other Scottish Nobles were killed, in 1513.
