- Reiver names
- Hermitage Castle
- Sir Walter Scott
- Abbotsford
- [football match]
football match
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the truce field, scene of the fateful football match |
From Calendar of Border Papers
18 May 1599
Henry Woodrington to Sir R Carey
In my last letter I wrote what I knew of Mr Rydley's death: but
this now is the truth as follows -- Mr Rydley knowing the continual
haunt and receipt [?] the great thieves and arch murderers of
Scotland, especially them of Whythaugh, had with the captain of
Bewcastle, went about by some means to catch them in English ground,
to avoid offence by entering Scotland: and hearing that there
was 'a football playing and after that a drynkyng hard at Bewcastle
house,' betwixt 6 of those Armstrongs and 6 of Bewcastle, he assembled
his friends and lay in wait for them. But the Scots having secret
intelligence, suddenly came on them and have cut Mr Rydley and
Mr Nycol Welton's throats, slain one Robson tenant of her Majesty's,
and taken 30 prisoners, mostly her tenants except Francis Whytfeild
-- and many sore hurt, especially John Whytfeild 'whose bowells
came out, but are sowed up agayne, and is thought shall hardly
escape, but as yet lyveth.' …
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Mick Aston with a stone from the truce field, now outside Liddesdale Heritage Centre |
