Maintaining law and order in the border country
.
was exceedingly difficult at best
For this purpose the
monarchs of both countries created a position known
.
as the Wardens of the Marches
The border lands were
,
divided up into sections called the East
,
Middle
and
West Marches and each march had a member of the
.
nobility as its warden
,
March law
,
disapproval of Edward I
,
wording
much to the
,
owes many of its customs
.
and procedures to Scotland
March law
implemented ancient practices of trial by battle and
.
payments of retribution
One law of note that
specifically effected border reivers and their victims
,
was the allowance of one day
,
from the time of theft
.
to cross the border and reclaim stolen goods
Fugitives seeking asylum was also a common
.
practice among the Marches of Scotland and England
If a fugitive from either side of the border crossed to
the neighboring country
,“
There he may remain
Musgrave Coat of Arms, Penrith, England
secure once he has acknowledged his offence and
.”
surrendered his weapons
Border reiving clans and
.
families often gave these fugitives refuge for a price
This practice played a large role in allowing Elizabeth
I to invade Scotland in search of English fugitives
from the Northern Rebellion of
1569.
The border
country was greatly ravaged during this time as it
had a concentration of Marion supporters who
desired to reinstate Mary Stewart Queen of Scots to
.
the throne
Though few actual English fugitives were
,
captured during these invasions
the Marion
supporters were greatly diminished in number before
’
Elizabeth s fear of French intervention on behalf of
.
Scotland ended the incursions
The Northern
, “’
Rebellion had allowed Elizabeth I
to be revenged
and thereby strengthen her own west borders and
,’”
weaken the Scottish
It also showed that the
English could do as they wished in regards to their
.
Scottish neighbors to the north
Burial place of the Musgrave Family, St. Cuthbert's Church, Edenhall, England
19