Newcastle University

The Borders

Although the border between England and Scotland was mostly agreed in 1237, disputes over some stretches continued for centuries. The border land on either side remained unstable and dangerous, with little enforcement of law and order.
Apart from the major battles between the English and the Scots, such as the battles at Otterburn (1388) and at Flodden Field (1513), minor border feuds continued to be fought vehemently. On both sides of the border there were powerful combative clans such as the Armstrongs, on the Scots side, and the Grahams on the English. People owed allegiance first to kin and laird and only then to the authorities in London or Edinburgh.

Family feuds and fierce hatred led to continuous warfare, against which laws could avail little. After the union of the crowns in 1603 and the union of parliaments in 1707 border raids slowly came to an end.

One area in particular continued to be contested after 1237: a stretch in the west, between the Rivers Esk and Sark, which came to be known as the 'Debatable Land'. Both England and Scotland claimed it, but neither had any jurisdiction over it, so that border warfare continued unhindered.

As one website puts it:


Gilnockie Tower is an example of a border stronghold. It was built in the early sixteenth century, in the Debatable Land, by the Armstrongs, still stands today and is still owned by the family.

Not until 1552 did England and Scotland agree about how to divide the Debatable Land. However, the peace which this led to was an uneasy one. 'The Scots Dyke', a ditch with earth thrown up on either side forming two parallel banks, still marks the boundary.