Border Papers volume 1: September 1583

173. Scrope to Walsingham. [Sept. 4.]

Having received your letter dated Berwick 28^th ultimo, I have as directed collected all the bills of attempts made by the Liddesdales and others since I met Cesford at Kirsopfoot, as are yet come to my hands, and although I know there be more not yet delivered to me, and nightly incursions by them, yet I can see no likelihood of any reformation unless by your means with the King.

I now understand by letters from my friend Captain Walker, that you have agreed that our meeting shall be at Newcastle, not Alnwick, so on notice of the day you will be there, I shall not fail God willing, to meet you. Carlisle. Signed: H Scrope.

1 p. Indorsed.

174. Scrope to Walsingham. [Sept. 28.]

"As well in the tyme of my being with you, as also synce my retourne home, manye and almoste nightlie attemptates have been committed . . . in Bewcastle and elsewhere within this wardenrie, as well by the Liddesdales as also by the West wardenrie of Scotlande, speciallie Kynmonte his sonnes and complices; who . . . are neverthelesse at their pleasure conversaunte and in companye with the warden, and on no parte reprehended for their doynges." I therefore pray you to hasten the supply of the 100 horsemen, the need being so great, and I will plant them in the best places for defence, also that money be sent for their pay from time to time, and that I may know whether I may attempt anything offensive against the disturbers of the peace. I send by my servant Richard Bell a note of some late attempts, in my absence, as also an abstract of bills since Cesford accepted office, which it may please you to view. "I heare by a freind of myne that the Ladye Johnston hath by speaches to a secrete freind of hirs, that the King is offended with me for receyving the Lardes of Cleishe and Bowghen." Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosed in the foregoing:—

(1) "Compleynes Bartrame Mylburne of the Keyme, Gynkyne Hunter of the Waterhead in Tyndale, upon William Armestronge of Kinmowthe, Eckye Armestronge of the Gyngles, Thome Armestronge of the Gyngles, Thomas Armestronge called Androwes Thome, of the Gyngles, Johne Forster sone to Meikle Rowie of Genehawghe, George Armestronge, called Renyens Geordie, and his sons, of Arcleton in Ewesdale, and there complices, for that they and others to the nomber of thre hundrethe parsons in warlyke maner ranne one opyn forrowe in the daye tyme, on Frydaie in the mornynge last, beinge the xxx^th of August, in Tyndale unto certen places that is to saye the Keyme, the Reidhewghe, the Blacke Myddynes, the Hill howse, the Water head, the Starr head, the Bog head, the High feelde, and there raysed fyer and brunte the most pairte of them, and maisterfullie refte, stale and drave awaye fowre hundrethe kyen and oxen, fowre hundrethe sheip, and goate, xxx horses and mears, and the spoyle and insyght of the howses to the walewe of towe hundrethe pounds, and slewe and murdered crewellie six parsons, and maymed and hurte ellevin parsons, and tooke and led awaye xxx presoners, and them do deteigne and keip in warlyke maner, myndinge to ransom them contrarie the vertewe of trewes and lawes of the Marches. Wherof they aske redres." Not signed.

½ p. Indorsed.

(2) "Complaynes William Fenwick of Wallington esquire, uppon David Oliver of Hindehaughead, the Lard of Ashtrees, Thomas Oliver of Lustrother, William Oliver of the Slakes, for that they and theire complices to the nomber of two hundreth persons, came to John Hall of Otterborne, Percivall Read of Trewhen, Roger Fenwick of Cammo, Oswold Fenwick of Midleton, and Anthoney Rea and other servantes of the said William Fenwick which had rescued xxiiij kyne and oxen the xxj of August last, and did trouble them of theire lawfull trode, contrary to the lawes and customes of the Marches, and reft and tooke from them the said kyne and oxen and xvj horses and mares, and murthered one Allon Waules, and tooke from him iij^li vj^v viij^d sterling, and other goodes to the value of x^li sterling, and tooke xvj prisoners, and them do withhold in warlike manner contrary to the vertue of trewes." [Also complaint by Percival Hall and John Hall of Haveracres, against John Elwet of the Park and 100 others, for taking 100 kine, &c., from Haveracres on 24 August last, and slaying John and Gabriel Hall of Colwellhill, Thomas Hall of Haveracres, and Thomas Hall of Whitleas. And by Thomas Swynborne of Captheton, esquire, against Sym Armstrong of Whithaugh and other 24, for taking 80 kyne and oxen from Captheton Whithouse, on 6 August last.] Not signed.

1 p. Indorsed.

(3) "To the righte honorable Sir Fransis Walsyngham lorde inbassadore.—Righte honorable according to youre directione, here ar the naimes of the prisoners taken in Tyndell by Scotes men as the Armestrangs of Annerdell and Liddesdell, the xxx daie of August anno domini 1583.

Inprimis.—Gilbart Charltone, Roland Charltone, Cuthbart Charltone, Ranolde Charltone, Thomas Charltone, Gilbart Charltone, junior, Thomas Dode, Bartholomew Dode, Johne Dode, Gylbart Mylburne, Robart Mylburne, Gorge Mylburne, Michaell Mylburne, Jenkin Hunter, Marke Hunter, two of the Fletchers, with others to the nomber of thirtie." Not signed.

1 p.

175. Defence of the English Border. [Sept.]

"The resolution taken for the stay of the spoiles and murder committed in the West and Middle Marches of England, upon the conference had with the Lord Scroope and Sir John Foster by Secretarie Walsingham.

That there is no hope of redresse from Scotland, as well in respect of those that have committed the spoiles, who being poore, are no way able to make satisfaction—as also, for that the two wardens of both the West and Middle Marches of Scotland are had in contempt—as appeared of late by an outrage offred unto the Larde Johnston, who having committed certeine to prison for spoiles done upon her Majesties subjectes in the West Marches, the said prisoners were taken by force out of prison by Don Lanerick and the provost of Enclowdon. The Lord of Sesford also, being readie to have made deliverie unto the deputie warden of the West Marches of England of a malefactour, the said partie was refused by the Lorde Hume.

That it wilbe hard or rather impossible to stay her Majesties subjects from taking revenge—which yf yt should fall owt before the Borders be strengthened, yt is to bee looked for that the Scottes in requitall of anie such revenge taken, will attempt somewhat that may not in honour bee putt up, and so consequently breed such a breach of the amitie as will not easely be solved.

That for the strengthening of the Midle and West Marches, these forces following are necessarie to be laid in the places under mentioned. Forces to be placed in the West Marches:—Beaucastle—horsmen, l^tie; footmen, l^tie. Arthure of the Motes howse—horsmen, l^tie; footemen, l^tie.

Forces to be placed in the Middle Marches:—Chipechase—horsmen, l^tie; footmen, xx^tie. Kirkwhelpington—horsmen, l^tie; footmen, xl^tie. Harbotell—horsmen, l^tie; footemen, xl^tie.

That it is thought convenient (for that otherwise these forces will not suffice) to bind with such of the loose men of eyther of their borders as have not committed murthers and spoiles upon her Majesties subjects, wherby it is hoped that the Borders being once strengthened, the loose men that now spoyle England, may be drawen to commit their spoiles upon Scotland, being assisted underhand by some loose men of England; as also such to be wincked at as shalbe receavers of such goodes as by them shall be stollen in Scotland." Those at the amity of England to be spared. This course being held for two or three months, it is hoped the Scots will be forced to make redress, and also to sue for return to the old custom of warden meetings. As the Earl of Morton and the "young Lord Harris" are chief countenancers of the offenders, something should be attempted against them, without a breach of the peace.

2½ pp. Fair official hand. Indorsed. Also by Walsingham in pencil: "Al thes to be transcribed."

2. Another copy.

2 pp.