Haltwhistle Past 1598

outlaws) did, was the taking of Haltwesell, and carrying away of prisoners, and all their goods.

I sent to seek justice for so great a wrong. The opposite officer sent me word it was not in his power, for that they were all fugitives, and not answerable to the King's laws. I acquainted the King of Scots with this answer. He signified to me that it was true, and that if I could take my own revenge without hurting his honest subjects, he would be glad of it. I took no long time to resolve what to do, but sent some two hundred horse to the place where the principal outlaws lived, and took and brought away all the goods they had. The outlaws themselves were in strongholds, and could no way be got hold of. But one of the chief of them being of more courage than the rest, got to horse, and came pricking after them, crying out and asking what he was that durst avow that mighty work, one of the company came to him with a spear, and ran him through the body, leaving his spear broken in him, of which wound he died. The goods were divided to the poor men from whom they were taken before. This act so irritated the outlaws that they vowed cruel vengeance, and that before next winter was ended, they would leave the whole country waste. His name was Siam of Cat-hill (an Armstrong) that was killed, and it was a Riddle of Haltwesell that killed him.

They presently took a resolution to be revenged of that town. Thither they came and set many houses of the town on fire, and took away all the goods, and as they were running up and down the streets with lights in their hands to set more houses on fire, there was one other of the Riddles that was in a strong-house, that made a shot out at them, and it was his good hap to kill an Armstrong, one of the sons of the chief est outlaw. The death of this young man wrought so deep an impression amongst them, as many vows were made, that before the end of next winter they would lay the border waste. This was done about the end of May, 1589.

Home Forward Back