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Reiver Farmer

Reiver farmer explaining his family could be farmer, Warden and Reiver

It was not unknown for officials to undertake raids either for their own profit or to continue a feud. Even during the period known as the Pacification of The Borders, the Commissioners complained that the Captain of Bewcastle had married his daughter to a well-known local Reiver.

The varied and changing loyalties of the Reiver eventually made him an untrusted person, and once the crowns united then both England and Scotland combined to rid the borders of the lawless families. It should be noted, however, that although the Reiver had a distaste for national law, the bonds and duties of family honour and loyalty often determined his behaviour.

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