Late Elizabethan Border Reivers

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The period from 1585 until the union of the crowns in 1605 was the most lawless period of the borders. By this time any nationalist feelings had given way to family loyalty, and all the main surnames of the region took part in raids on both sides of the border. March Wardens as representatives of the Crowns, struggled to maintain law and order - although they too were often involved in 'reiving' and blackmail! Bands of 'Broken Men' - men without the protection of a family name - roamed the area robbing and looting, and were hunted by families and authorities alike. Regular troops were available to the March Wardens from larger Garrisons such as Carlisle or Berwick; and 'Footloon' - the borderers own foot soldiers - had become better equipped with the modern weapons of the time.