History continues to show that whatever the intention, even though it appears right and just, that the making of a Border inevitably plays havoc with identity, culture and tradition.
The Border between England and Scotland was, for five hundred years, a breeding ground of hatred and resentment between two peoples who contested every inch of its ground in their efforts to dominate each other.
They became known as the Border Reivers.
This book is an account of the capture and rescue of William Armstrong of Kinmont, the most notable of the Scottish reivers of his day. The English authorities captured him after a Day of Truce.
Given the events on the day of his capture, the taking of Kinmont was deemed illegal by the Scots. They maintained that Kinmont was taken against the Assurance, and thus contrary to those Laws which since 1249 had served the Border people for generations.
The English endeavoured to see it differently!