I realize the events in this book sound like a lot of back and forth fighting between the English and the Scottish, but, unfortunately, this was how life was. With the borders being so far from the kings of both countries, it was a wild area with very few laws. In an attempt for kings to maintain a modicum of control of these ‘wild border people’, March Wardens were enlisted. The English and Scottish both had three March Wardens: one for the east territory of their land, one for the west and another for the middle.
Reivers came from both the English and Scottish borders, though both had members of the opposite country living among them. With the border in such a state of fluctuation with land being taken and stolen back, it was impossible to have a clear, permanent line drawn between the countries. Living on the border was dangerous, hard and predatory where one side stole from the other in an attempt to better their own life.
The March Wardens were able to tame this wildness to a certain extent, but leadership was often corrupt, which did nothing to help matters. Complaints could be made to the opposing country’s March Warden and Truce Days were held to discuss punishment/recompense for offenses committed. These were some of the only times both sides were at relative peace, which only lasted for the single day.
These were difficult times to live in and certainly fascinating to write about. I think it takes a certain kind of person to survive in a land like this, and makes for fascinating characters. It’s what inspired my Borderland Ladies and Borderland Rebels series. I hope you enjoy reading both series as much as I’ve enjoyed writing and researching them.