Reivers - Pele Towers of the Anglo\Scots Border

Fortified Homes gave the Border Reivers a Haven against Attack

Feb 11, 2009

In a land that was often ravaged by war, even in peace subject to attack from neighbours and raiders from the opposite realm, pele towers were the last line of defence.

There are yet to be seen many of the pele towers built in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries on each side of the English\Scottish Borderline. They stand today as a reminder of a time when no-one who lived in the Border lands was safe from attack by marauding army, enemy from the opposite side of the Borderline or even close neighbour at feud with other clans of the same nationality.

The Towers Built to Withstand a Siege

The towers were very strongly built with walls between 4 and 15 feet thick. Often they were 'rubble' built, using random sized stone, sometimes 'ashlar' or cut to perfect proportions. They were usually three storeys high although 4 and 5 storey examples still exist, making them anything up to 50 feet high. . Atop the highest storey there was a metal basket primed with wood. This would be fired should any enemy be seen approaching. As there was usually another tower within sight or relatively near at hand, the fire would be seen by others of the clan. Within minutes the whole valley would be aware that an enemy was near at hand. There was only one door, wide enough to let only one man pass at a time. It was in almost every case a double door, the inner of strong studded oak with an iron one, known as a 'yett', positioned in front of it.

Residence of the Laird or Clan Leaders

Thetowers were beyond the means of the rank and file members of the sect or 'grayne' of the clan that owed allegiance to the Laird or Chieftan for his defence of their lives and possessions. They usually lived in very primitive dwellings outside the walls, built as in the times of the Ancient Britons from 'wattle and daub'. The advantage of such a home was that it could be replaced within the day should a raid result in it being fired. This happened with monotonous regularity. There was nothing to be gained from building in stone.

The Security of the Tower in Times of Attack

Surrounding the tower a high wall was built, anything up to 16 feet high and 3 feet thick. This was positioned some way from the tower to provide extra defence. It was known as a 'barmkin' or 'barnekin' wall. Should an enemy come screaming over the horizon, the dwellers outside the walls would gather up as much of their domestic and farming implements as they could and drive any beasts they owned within the barmkin wall. Then they would enter the tower itself and help the Laird to defend both the tower and their livelihoods.

The Ground Floor of the Towers

The ground floor of the tower usually had a vaulted ceiling. The construction of this was of paramount importance as the stability of the floors above depended upon its strength. It was in this area that the Laird would drive his horses and any other beasts that it was capable of holding when attack loomed. The horses were of ultra-importance; they were needed when the Laird went out on one of his nightly forays to exact retribution for the latest attack on his tower or needed to steal a few beasts to furnish his table or cater to the needs of his dependents.

The Upper Storeys

In a three storey tower, the most common type, the middle floor was the living quarters. It was the equivalent to the great hall of buildings of a more refined nature. There was a massive fireplace in one wall and the floor was strewn with sweet-smelling grasses that could be changed on a daily basis. Windows were a rarity, as much for the comfort of the residents as to prevent entry should scaling ladders ever get near enough to endeavour entry. In some examples of the Border Pele there were little rooms cut into the walls which were curtained in an effort to provide some privacy. Above the living quarters, on the third floor, were the bedrooms.

In the valley of the river Liddel there were upwards of 70 towers or fortified places, some of stone others of wood. They were a refuge for all the folk living in the valley in a violent time in the history of England and Scotland. Throughout the modern day Cumbria, Northumberland, and the whole of Scotland south of the river Forth there are many examples of the Pele Tower, testimony yet to an age now gone.

The copyright of the article Reivers - Pele Towers of the Anglo\Scots Border in Modern British History is owned by Thomas William Moss. Permission to republish Reivers - Pele Towers of the Anglo\Scots Border in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.