Reivers - Parcy Reed of Troughend

A Feud between Two of the Reiver Families of Redesdale

Jul 12, 2009 Thomas William Moss

The Halls and the Reeds were the clans that vied for control in Redesdale, Northumberland in the reiving times. Outwardly allies, treachery would lead to lasting feud.

Redesdale in Northumberland is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Known as Wild Redesdale it offers the visitor vista after vista of breathtaking scenery. Its wildness is raw, untamed and very spectacular. Yet this place is within thirty miles of Newcastle, a thriving city and sharp contrast to the beauty of such wonderful Redesdale villages as Elsdon and Otterburn (site of the battle between Percy of England and Douglas of Scotland in 1388).

The Reiving Times

In the times of the Border Reivers (13th to 17th centuries) Wild Redesdale spawned some very wild men indeed. None were more so than the families of theHalls and the Reeds. Like many of the Border families or clans who were prominent in wealth or numbers they vied with each for control of the region. Often allies when the common weal dictated that they stand firm against outside opposition, particularly from the Scottish raiders, at other times they would be at feud as they sought to cement some sort of dominance over each other. Both clans lived in the vicinity of Otterburn, the Halls at Otterburn tower, Girsonfield and Shittleheugh, the Reeds at Troughend.

Parcy Reed

When Parcy Reed of Troughend, a notable reiver if ever there was one, was made Keeper of Redesdale by the Warden of the Middle March, the Halls, a fiercer clan than the Reeds if that were possible, were incensed at the decision. Outwardly still allies to Parcy and the Reeds and his rise to fame and power, they planned to achieve the downfall of the man who threatened their overall control of Redesdale.

The Involvement of the Reivers of Liddesdale

On the Scottish side of the Border Line lived the notorious Crosiers. Based at Rakistonlees in Liddesdale, they were friends and allies of the Armstrongs and Elliots, names that were the very embodiment of the reiving way of life.

The Halls befriended the Crosiers who were up in arms at Parcy Reed's ability and success as Keeper in curtailing their raids into Redesdale. He had captured own of their own clansmen.

Together the Halls and the Crosiers invitedParcy Reed to go hunting with them in the forest of Carter. Parcy readily accepted the prospect of some sport.

At the end of the hunting the party rested at the Batingehope burn and Parcy fell asleep.

The Treachery of the Halls

When Parcy awoke he was immediately confronted by five of the Crosiers of Liddesdale who, according to the Ballad, the 'Death of Parcy Reed' welcomed him from his slumber with the words:-

'Weel met, weel met now Parcy Reed,

Thou art the very man we sought,

Owre lang hae we been in your debt (over long)

Now we will pay thee as we ought.'

The Halls then stood by as the Crosiers mutilated Parcy's body with many a cut and thrust from their deadly swords. It is said that the body of was so cut up that it had to be carried in a blanket back to Troughend for burial.

The ordinary folk of Redesdale were incensed at the manner in which Parcy was ambushed and killed. Even though they were subject to the retaliatory Scottish raids that inevitably followed Parcy's incursions north of the Border, they would have no truck with the traitorous Halls. It is said that the Halls left the valley of the Rede never to return, such was the hatred they had brought upon themselves.

The Legacy of Parcy Reed

The ghost of Parcy Reed it is said, even today, haunts the banks of the Batinghopeburn. It is a brave man who, looking for food and shelter following a day's walking in the hills, wends his way down the burn at twighlight. Parcy still cries out for justice following such a cruel end. It appears there has been more than one encounter with his tortured soul.

The copyright of the article Reivers - Parcy Reed of Troughend in UK/Irish History is owned by Thomas William Moss. Permission to republish Reivers - Parcy Reed of Troughend in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.