Armstrong Legends Contributed by Clan Armstrong Trust Legends and tradition have their place - and what a colourless place the world would be without them. But we want to give you the facts too. All the information found in this article is taken from historical papers and other documents from all over the world. To learn more about the Armstrongs, join the Clan Armstrong Trust They welcome your views and would like you to work with them. Background The first known Armstrong was Thomas, who was recorded in 1150 as marrying Anne, daughter of Sir John Cramlington, a Cumbrian and parson of Cramlington. Over the next four hundred years or so the Armstrong family was reasonably law abiding, but in the 16th century, there was a dramatic change. The 1500s were a time of bad weather and poor harvests, combined with increased populations in Liddesdale. And, as in most famines, unrest and turmoil were rife, with men desperate to feed their families. And so they began to ride and raid. English fighting Scot, Scot fighting English, English against English and Scot against Scot. Such was the system of lawlessness that built up along the border. The riders were known as Reivers, going out by day and night to steal and pillage. Fantastic horsemen, they were once called the finest light cavalry in all of Europe. Wearing steel breast and back plates, bonnets of steel, and carrying long lances and long bows and arrows, they were a fearsome sight. Of all the Reivers, the Armstrongs were the most dangerous, ruling by fear and solidarity. Every border family, among them the Elliots, Scotts, Grahams, Bells and Irvings, was lawless, but as the raiding increased, Armstrongs tended to get the most blame, partly because they were the most numerous. By the 16th century, the family had expanded into the vales of Esk, Ewes and Wauchope. And Armstrongs also lived in what were known as the Debatable Lands, a large area between the Solway and Langholm. It got its name because both England and Scotland laid claim to it. Armstrongs were also numerous in Bewcastledale in Cumbria. By the 1520's the Armstrongs had become a law unto themselves. The Legend of Johnie Armstrong Both English and Scottish Kings liked to have turmoil at the edges of their Kingdoms. It served as a first line of defence. But when things got out of hand, Kings got worried. And so, comes the story of Johnie Armstrong of Gilnockie. Johnie of Gilknockie and Langholm Castle was second son of the chief, and he lived near Canonbie. Rich and powerful, he may have made his money fighting the Turks at sea. Is that what he did? Return home and build himself a fortress on the east bank of the River Esk? The ruins of Gilnockhall can still be seen at the north end of Canonbie. Some say Johnie ran a protection racket from Canonbie to the gates of Newcastle city - though not one record of this exists. One thing is certain, by 1530, he had grown too rich and powerful for the liking of the young James V of Scotland.... And so James ordered Johnie north to meet him. Johnie saw the royal invitation as a sign of favour - perhaps to hunt in Teviotdale. Instead, it proved a death sentence. Ambushed and captured in the wilds of Moss Paul, the Laird of Gilnockie and about thirty of his men were taken to a graveyard at Carlenrigg and there they were hanged, executed by a teenaged King without a trial. Today, a stone marks the spot where the Armstrongs were foully betrayed. This site is cared for and owned by the Clan Armstrong Trust. Some years later, at the Battle of Solway Moss, the Armstrongs never forgot the betrayal of Johnie. When the same James V prepared to do battle with the English just north of Carlisle, the borderers who knew the area and could have helped to save the day, were noticeably absent. They were either to be found not fighting - or fighting on the side of the English. They received lands at Gilcrux in North Cumbria for their services. The Legend of Willie Armstrong Another Armstrong legend was Kinmont Willie Armstrong of Morton and Sark. Willie was captured on a Day of Truce, when all men had freedom to go about their business. Despite that, he was taken in chains to Carlisle Castle, where he was due to hang. There followed a daring rescue, as a band of loyal men, among them Armstrongs, Irvings and Bells, all led by the fearless Scott of Buccleuch, found their way into the castle. They freed Willie, brought him out and took him back across the border again. Willie's grave is still there in Sark graveyard - but it's kept covered with sods to preserve it from acid rain. And today, there are border ballads to both Johnie and Willie - two of the most colourful of the border characters. Special thanks to the Clan Armstrong Trust for permission to publish this article and images. Links: http://www.clanarmstrong.org Clan Armstrong on GOTC Clan Armstrong Museum on GOTC Introduction to The Border Reivers on GOTC