The Reiver King: Johnnie Armstrong (Scottish Folklore)
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There was a time in Scottish history, between the 13th and 17th century, when the border between Scotland and England was a devastated no mans land. The great wars of the time would commonly erupt in these areas, and as armies marched over each side of the border, the locals were caught in horrifying battles, losing everything from there homes, there land and worst of all their lives. Even during times of relative peace, the borders were a treacherous place, many had long memory’s and when given the opportunity to raid north or south they would gladly take it. Life and survival were difficult on the border and for there own safety, farmers and land workers began to gather in tight nit groups. These were the first border revers, in the hope of bettering their life and at the expense of those who had caused this devastation, they would roam the border, raiding and taking whatever they please. Often the reivers had no loyalty to either side, English or Scottish it mattered not, they were a law unto themselves and would manipulate the nobility and royalty of both lands. The revers would not only hunt for gold and valuables but also prisoners, the higher rank or birth the better as these captives could be ransomed back to their country for vast wealth. In the eyes of the monarchs there evil plundering bandits were the ruin of the country and only increased the tension during the uneasy peace times, but to the common man, many of the revers were seen as folk heroes, fighting against an unjust system. It is here we meet the protagonist of today’s story, Johnny the last chief of clan Armstrong.
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References:
Armstrong, J. A. (1996) The Life and Times of Kinmont Willie Armstrong of Ballad Fame. United Kingdom: Clan Armstrong Trust.
Fraser, G. M. (1989) The Steel Bonnets. London. Harvil.
Neville, C. J. (1998) Violence, custom and law: The Anglo-Scottish border lands in the later middle ages. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 0748610731
Nicholson, P. (2019) Johnnie Armstrong’s Grave. Reivers. [http://reivers.info/johnnie-armstrong...]
NLS (N/A) Collection of 2,300 broadside ballads. Shelfmark: Crawford.EB.2207. Scottish National Library [https://digital.nls.uk/english-ballad...]
ScotClans (2022) Johnny Armstrong and the Missing Heit. ScotClans.com [https://www.scotclans.com/pages/johnn...]
Scott, W. (1849) Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border (Edinburgh, 1849 edn)
Way, George of Plean, Squire, Romilly of Rubislaw (1994) Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-470547-5.