The Steel Bonnets. George Fraser MacDonald
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 a subsidy from Elizabeth during their feud with the Scotts.
Notables: Martin Elliot of Braidley (“a very wise and stout fellawe”), Little Jock of the Park, Robin of Redheuch, Archie “Fire the Braes”, William of Lariston, Martin’s Gibb.
[Note—A curiosity about the name Elliot is that there are more than seventy ways of spelling it, from Aylewood to Ilwand, and Dalliot to Ellot (which was the form most commonly used on the Border, along with Elwood). Any permutation of l’s and t’s is said to be permissible except Elliott, which for some reason the family affect to despise. The old rhyme says:
The double L and single T
Descend from Minto and Wolflee, The double T and single L Mark the old race in Stobs that dwell, The single L and single T The Eliots of St Germains be, But double T and double L Who they are, nobody can tell.]
Numerous today on the Scottish side.
FENWICK
English. EMM.
A powerful English family, described as “gentlemen”, and often to be found among Border officials. They conducted many feuds, including a bitter one with the Liddesdale Elliots.
Notables: William of Wallington; William, Keeper of Tynedale; Richard Fenwick of Stanton.
Numerous in north-east England.
FORSTER
(Forrester, Foster)
Largely English. EEM, EWM (Line, Bewcastle), Liddesdale.
A large but not closely-knit family, the Forsters were to be found virtually everywhere on the English side. The Scottish Forsters intermarried with England, and the English Forsters were noted for their alliance with the Humes.
Notables: Sir John Forster, Red Rowy, Rowy’s Will.
Widespread today.
GRAHAM
(Graeme)
Mostly English (so far as Border history goes), but notoriously ready to be on either side. Originally Scottish, and famous outside the Border area. EWM, SWM, DL.
Apart from the Armstrongs, the Grahams were probably the most troublesome family on the frontier. Their dual allegiances caused confusion, and they were cordially detested by their own English authorities. At one time the most numerous family in the West Border, with 500 riders in 13 towers in 1552, they were savagely persecuted in the reign of James VI and I.
Notables: Richie of Brackenhill, Jock of the Peartree, Young Hutcheon, Richie’s Will, Will’s Jock, et al, et al.
Highly numerous in Cumberland.
HALL
English and Scottish. Redesdale, Liddesdale, E. Teviotdale.
A large, widely-spread clan, at one time the most powerful in Redesdale, the Halls were well-hated and feared on both sides. (In the Redesdale hunting incident in 1598 the Scottish Halls and the Rutherfords were allegedly singled out by English officers as two surnames to whom no quarter should be given.) However, the Scottish Halls appear to have been much intermarried with English tribes.
Notables: Eddie Hall, “the famous thief”, George of Burdupp (who had served with Philip Sidney in the Low Countries), Will of Heavyside, and two Jameses, father and son, both of Heavyside.
Numerous on both sides today.
HETHERINGTON
(Hetherton, Atherton)
English. Hethersgill, Line river, and EWM frontier.
A Norse family (Hetherings or Hoderings), they were “a disordered surname”, although not active raiders. Frequently mentioned in connection with blackmail, both receiving and paying. Deeply involved in plot to murder Bishop of Carlisle, 1569.
Notables: Thomas “the Merchant”, blackmailer; George of Walton.
Still in North Cumberland.
HUME
(Home)
Scottish. SEM.
A great name in Scottish and Border history, the Humes achieved one extraordinary distinction as the only frontier family who would claim continuous domination in their own March. They usually held the Scottish East Wardenship, and although frequently in trouble with the Crown they never lost their eminence and influence.
Notables: Alexander, 3rd Lord Hume (c. Flodden); Alexander, 5th Lord; Alexander, 6th Lord; James Hume of Coldenknowes.
Still numerous.
IRVINE
(Irving, Urwen)
Scottish. SWM, Annandale, Lower Eskdale.
A very tough bunch indeed, the Irvines contributed much to the general disorder, despite their comparatively small numbers. Thoroughly involved in all the West March mischief.
Notables: Willie Kang, and his brothers Davy and Geordie.
Widespread.
JOHNSTONE
(Johnston, Johnstoun)
Scottish, but possibly of English origin. SWM.
Second only to the Maxwells in their March, the Johnstones were powerful reivers and also frequent Wardens. Their feud with the Maxwells was the longest and bloodiest in Border history. The “t” in their name sets them apart from other “sons of John”, although even on the Border it was often dropped, and a famous grandson of the clan, Ben Jonson the poet, deliberately adopted his own spelling to avoid being confused with other Johnstons and Johnsons in London. (A very clan-conscious man, Ben walked