The Border region between England and Scotland is different not only culturally from much of those two countries, but physically as well. Our region is about 60 miles North to South, the border running roughly Southwest to Northeast, from the Solway Firth to Berwick-upon-Tweed, for about 70 miles. (To compare; it's around 60 miles in a straight line from Long Beach to Devore the whole region is about the size of the L.A. Metro area.) The Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are to the West, the North Sea to the East. The region lies around 55 degrees North latitude (compare Edmonton,Alberta or the western Aleutian Islands). Only the warming currents of the Gulf Stream make Northern Britain habitable at all. Rain is expected year round, the summers are short, winters long, dark and cold, snow is not uncommon. Our region is hilly, with the highest peaks in the Cheviot range at about 2600 feet ( comparable to the Verdugo Hills in the Glendale area). Deep, narrow glens cut the hills, most running East and West, following the rivers, creeks and burns that run from the hills to the sea.
Originally settled by southern tribes of the Picts, it was occupied and then settled by The Romans for several centuries. The area was portions of the old kingdoms or states of Northumbria, Cumbria, Rheged (around Carlisle), and Bernicia, and saw a great deal of activity and strife between Picts, Celts, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans during the evolution and formation of the countries of England and Scotland. During the Norse incursions of the ninth through the eleventh centuries, there were major areas of "Viking" settlements around the Solway Firth, Carlisle, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. By our time, the Borders region is comprised of the major portions of the English Counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Northumberland, and on the Scottish side, the counties of Roxburgh, Selkirk, Peebles and Berwick. The Border region is divided into 3 "marches" on each side: the East, Middle and West English or Scottish Marches. There are several maps showing the location and area of the Marches in the books listed in "Sources" at the end of this writing.
Following the more-or-less peaceful twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the War(s) of Scottish Independence devastated the Border Country. Both sides had armies marching back and forth across our region, and many of the major battles were fought in the area, including Halidon Hill, Otterburn and Homildon Hill. Other battles fought in Scotland, Stirling Bridge, Falkirk and Bannockburn, had English Armies marching through the Border country on the way to the North, and battles in England, such as Nevilles' Cross, had Scots armies marching through on their way South. The Wars of the Roses saw some fighting in the region as well, at Hexham and at Hedgley, in 1464. This continued through 1513 when a large Scottish army, commanded by James IV himself, on the way to invade England, taking advantage of Henry VIII's absence on campaign in France, met the English army, commanded by the Earl of Surrey, in the battle of Flodden, in the heart of the Eastern Border country, resulting in a deva stating defeat of the Scots, the death of James himself and the destruction of most of the Scottish peerage. These 2 centuries of constant strife and disorder shaped the Borders in all ways; politically, economically, agriculturally and culturally.
The Borderers came to be, as a result of the preceding, a singular group. Many lived most of the time on plunder and thieving of livestock and goods of both the folk across the border, and of their own neighbors, if need be. Planting was minimal, grains grown were mainly oats, barley and rye, which grow quickly, with little care in a harsh climate. Farming was mainly the raising of livestock, mainly cattle and sheep. Much effort went into reiving (compare American: "rustling") of this stock, and the protection from or recovery from such theft. This bred a fierce warrior type, "born to the saddle", most willing to pursue the above activities aggressively. Fiercely loyal to their mates, capable of appalling treachery to their enemies. This enmity was often on national lines, Scots against English and willingly returned, yet they were so hostile to and mistrustful of outsiders to the point of allying themselves with their foes across the border, against them. The Borderers character and nature has been described in Fraser's "The Steel Bonnets", along with a thorough detailing of the history of our region and times. Reading this should be considered a must. The book can be difficult to obtain in booksellers, but a little effort can generally turn up a source for mail order or special ordering in shops. Also of note is "The Border Reivers", by Godfrey Watson. This is currently very difficult to obtain, we have copies of his chapter on "Character and Philosophy" available for reading by members of this group. Several other magazine article reprints and book excerpts are also being made available to members.
The same qualities that made the Borderer so effective in his home environment also made him a fine light cavalryman. During the 15th century Wars of the Roses, a type of light lancer known as "prickers" came into use for scouting and raiding in England. Henry VIII took many of these light horse to the continent with him, these were being recruited mainly from the Border region. The Scots used much the same type and, naturally recruited from the same areas. Many Borderers and Lowland Scots, as well as many Englishmen, also did mercenary service on the continent, both as individuals or as members of whole regiments recruited for service in places such as Poland, taking skills with them, bringing knowledge and weapons back. Our little group, is recruited from Rievers from both sides of the border, some of us having military skills from prior days, and is recently returned from extended service in Ireland. We have a goodly selection of weapons and armor, and are accustomed both from our upbringing and recent trials, to a hardy life, we are dependent upon each other and distrustful of all outsiders (with good reason!).