Reivers – Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch
16th Century Scottish Knight Masterminded Rescue of Scottish Reiver
May 11, 2009
Walter Scott was born in 1565 to Sir Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch and Lady Margaret, daughter of David Douglas, seventh earl of Angus. He was nine when his father died and he became leader of one of the most powerful Scottish Border clans under the tutelage of yet another Walter Scott - Scott of Goldielands.
In 1590 he was knighted by James Vl of Scotland and appointed Keeper of Liddesdale. He was honoured yet again in 1606 after the Union of the Crowns of England and Scotland. In that year he was made the first Lord Buccleuch.
Buccleuch's Early YearsIn 1577 Scott's mother re-married to the infamous Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. Bothwell harboured a great hatred of James Vl even though they were related. His escapades in many an endeavour to capture the Scottish king would have a profound influence on the young Laird of Buccleuch and eventually lead to his being stripped of the Keepership of Liddesdale and exiled to France for three years.
Pardon for Buccleuch
Scott of Buccleuch was granted a pardon by James Vl under the Great Seal, re-instated as Keeper of Liddesdale in 1594 and granted a substantial portion of his step-father's lands including the Lordship of Liddesdale and the castle of Hermitage. His step-father, Bothwell, following his irrational and reckless attempts to bring down the Scottish king had been exiled and had fled to England.
The Capture of Kinmont Willie
In March 1596, William Armstrong of Kinmont had been captured by the English following a 'Day of Truce'. This was the day, by custom to be held once a month between the Scottish and English Wardens, when justice would be meted out to those Reivers who had transgressed the Border Law. Everyone who attended theTruce to witness that the trials were fair and that the punishment was just was guaranteed safe conduct until the sunrise following completion of the trials. This was deemed necessary because many who were in attendance, both English and Scottish, were at feud with each other.
As Kinmont Willie was captured before the time of safe conduct had expired, before sunset on the same day as the Truce,his capture was seen as illegal by the Scots who were up in arms over the affair.
The Rescue of Kinmont Willie
Walter Scott of Buccleuch was both incensed and infuriated by the capture of Kinmont and, after all attempts at diplomacy to free the great Scottish reiver had failed, he resolved to rescue him. Kinmont was held in England, in Carlisle castle, at a time when the two countries of England and Scotland were at peace. Thus it was a dangerous enterprise where success or failure would mean but little difference to the English queen, Elizabeth l. Whatever the outcome she would not take kindly to the Scots invading one of her English Border fortresses.
With but a small raiding party and the aid of some of the English clans who were disenamoured of the English authority, especially the Grahams, Walter Scott succeeded in his endeavour and Kinmont Willie was soon on Scottish soil once more.
The Aftermath of Buccleuch's Audacity
It was soon known that Buccleuch had led the reivers of the Scottish Border Valleys into England to rescue Kinmont and Elizabeth was incandescent at the news. She demanded that Buccleuch should be warded in England pending her decision on his punishment. He was eventually given over to the English and housed in Berwick but not before the relationship between the monarchs of England and Scotland had been severely tested. He was eventually freed.
Buccleuch Meets Elizabeth
Walter Scott of Buccleuch was to meet Elizabeth some years later when he was on his way to the Low Countries. She asked him how he dared to attack the castle of Carlisle in time of peace between the two countries.
His response was typical of the great warlord that he was:-
'What, Madam, is there that a brave man may not dare?'
Elizabeth is reputed to have turned to her courtiers and said:-
'Give me a thousand such leaders and I'll shake any throne in Europe'
Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch, knight, lord and reiver, was without doubt the most charismatic figure to emerge in the 16th century Border lands.
He died in 1611 and was buried in the family aisle in St. Mary's church in Hawick, a lovely Scottish Border town.
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