The lands on the border of Scotland and England are probably more famous for being the northern most outpost of the Roman Empire, with Hadrian’s Wall attracting archaeologists and visitors alike.

However, apart from the Roman visitors, the area has it’s own rich and colourful history, being the pawn of the monarchs for hundreds of years.

Border Reiver

Mention the term Border Reiver, and most people will conjure up images of bands of brigands and ruffians who stole and murdered with almost daily regularity.

In fact many writings about the Border Reivers also tell of a lawless society, uncontrollable by monarchs on either side of the border. These are often just lists of dates and notorious deeds.

Hermitage Castle, Guardian of Liddesdale

Whilst most of this is true, one needs to understand the often inhospitable region, the feuds between the crowns and the demands of warrior kings, to begin to have any comprehension of the border people and their way of life.

People living in the borders were indeed victims of circumstance, with their lands and possessions regularly destroyed during clashes between the crowns and the clan warrior kings in the region, who demanded loyalty above that of the monarchy.

Survival

It became near pointless to own anything, as it would only be destroyed or taken away, so the people adopted the “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach and created their own set of rules and a tough way of life.  Being in the borders for over 300 years was not living it was merely survival.

Many people have written with varying degrees of accuracy about the Border Reivers and the story of Kinmont Willie, probably the most well known by Sir Walter Scott.

Buy Deadlock and Deliverance from our Amazon Bookstore

Deadlock and Deliverance

Tom Moss has taken a new approach by writing the story combining fact and fiction under the same cover; Deadlock and Deliverance.

Years of gathering factual information and visiting sites, is instantly obvious as soon as one starts to read the book.

Tom said:

“The impulse to write the book came from my love of the history of the English, Scottish border and, in particular the Border Reivers and the frustration I had felt over the years in reading the same account, albeit from different authors, of the Kinmont affair!”

Tom researched many accounts of the time to get a factual hold of events and an idea of the personalities involved.

From this research he had the factual bones on which to put historically based fictional meat.

William Armstrong of Kinmont has become the most notable of the Scottish Reivers.  His capture by the English and subsequent bold rescue from Carlisle Castle by the Scots, left a lasting impression both sides of the border.  In fact this was the “Last truly momentous event in the history of the Border Reivers”

Deadlock and Deliverance tells this story in two parts, from both Scottish and English prespectives and presents the book in a way which makes more sense of the facts than any other book on the subject I have read.

“There has been an honest endeavour by the author to search out and understand the personal relationships, the bonds, amicable or hostile, that tied together the main protagonists in Kinmont’s capture and release; the people caught up in the aftermath of the capture and subsequent audaciousness of the manner in which the escape was planned and carried out, have become flesh and blood, not just names in snippets of history.

Protecting Langholm Castle. Copyright Bill Ewart of Lanholm

It is a story of bitterness, discord and breakdown of the personal relationships of those individuals who were to become prominent in the Kinmont Affair”.

For anybody interested in the history of the Scottish/English border or the deeds of the Border Reivers, Deadlock and deliverance is a must read.

The text is supported by photographs and some superb artwork by Bill Ewart of Langholm and all presented in a wonderful hardback book featuring one of Bill’s drawings inset into the clan Armstrong tartan and bearing the clan coat of arms.  This book does not deserve to be hidden away on the bookshelf but should grace the table for all to see and read.

The time and effort spent researching the historical facts also makes this book a great resource for teachers and tour guides.  It should have pride of place in all border region bookshops and gift stores.

For those of us who have ancestral links to the Reivers, and there are many still around the border region.  Deadlock and Deliverance gives us an insight into the lives of our forebears and the events that shaped them.

More information

Deadlock and Deliverance - Reiver History website;Learn more about the author and his books.

The Oral History Society promotes the collection, preservation and use of recorded memories of the past, encouraging people to record their life stories.

Not everything is written down in books or papers and the wealth of information stored in peoples memories can tell us so much but over time this information is lost through the generations, that is why preserving as much as we can is important.

The oral History website gives people practical advice, support and training as well as raising standards in oral history practices across a range of activities.

It is a well respected voice for oral historians advising and collaborating with national organisations and research councils on oral history, supporting over 40 experienced oral historians as locally based Regional Networkers.

There is information on how to get oral history work funded as well as details of conferences and regional seminars.

To find out more, visit the Oral History Society website

Little seems to have been published on the internet about this drinking fountain in Grasmere.

Wordsworth drinking fountain - Grasmere

Situated just opposite the Wordsworth Trust buildings, in the village of Grasmere in Cumbria, the monument is in memory of  Wordsworth.  

Given that the famous poet William Wordsworth lived some 500m at one stage from this memorial, maybe it is in memory of him however, we can not be certain of this?

Fresh cool lakeland water cascades from a brass tap in to a stone basin.  Above the tap is the date 1889.

No details seem to indicate what this date signifies, as it is almost 40 years after the death of William Wordsworth, the major romantic poet.

A stone canopy keeps the basin free from most of the Cumbrian weather and any debris.  This has the  inscription ‘In Memory of Wordsworth.’

From the basin the water trickles, in a sort of overflow way, through the upright canopy wall to the left and into a larger open basin, possible for a horse or large animal to drink from.

Wordsworth drinking fountain - Grasmere

The clever design of this drinking station still has one further use for the water as it drops from the large basin into a small receptical from which a hound or dog could drink from.

From here the water leaves the multi-use watering station and exits to a drain at ground level.

Situated to the right of the canopy area, is a long flat stone a few centimeters off the ground supported on stone pillars.  We are not sure what this would be for as it seems too low for a seat and not high enough for mounting a horse from.

A guess would be that it could be to act as a small riser to help pack goods onto a mule or pony.  But this is purely a suggestion.  Maybe someone can let us know via the comments?

More information

Gallery

A new book which tells the remarkable history of Booths has been launched in stores this autumn.

The story of Booths

The Story of Booths (1847-2008) delves into the hidden archives of one of the region’s oldest and best loved retailers to chart the rise of this family-owned company.

Written by Frank Bamford, the book provides a real insight into 19th century Lancashire and reveals the dynamics of the Booths’ family. It includes many rare photographs and personal correspondence between family members.

The story begins in June 1847 when tea dealer Edwin Henry Booth borrowed £80 to open a tea shop called The China House in Blackpool. It ends 160 years later with the thriving company owning 26 stores across the North of England.

Graham Booth says: “It’s amazing to look back and see Booths grow from its humble roots to the successful company it is today. So much has changed, but in many ways the company remains the same.

“Booths is still run by the same family and its values remain constant – to offer customers the best quality products in attractive stores run by welcoming staff. It’s a recipe that worked in 1847 and continues to work in 2008.”

Much of the book focuses on characters such as Edwin Henry Booth who at the age of 10 was left by his mother and forced to fend for himself.

Edwin clearly had a head for business and soon repaid his £80 debt before opening another tea shop in Chorley in 1855. This was followed in 1859 with the completion of Booths’ first Preston store.

It took many months for writer Frank Bamford, who has written a number of local histories, to trawl through the company’s vast archive.

He explains: “It was a fascinating process. There is a huge volume of correspondence which was retained by the first Mr John Booth, the founder’s son, which gives a real flavour of the personalities involved and helps us to understand how the whole Booths ethic and philosophy was formulated.” 

The book also examines the social and political history of the times and looks at the impact the two wars had on the company.

Booths progressed steadily throughout with new branches opening in places like St Annes, Longton, Blackpool, Kendal and Penwortham.

The final chapter focuses on the modern era of change and development when the new Mr John Booth took over as chairman in 1970.

Booths broadened its territory by opening shops in the likes of Windermere, Ulverston, Kirkby Lonsdale, Knutsford, Ilkley and Settle.

Today, with Edwin Booth at the helm, the company continues to grow. Recent developments include the completion of a new store and Artisan restaurant in Lytham.  Two new stores will be opening at Ripon and Garstang in 2009.

The Story of Booths is available from most Booths stores and is priced at £4.99.