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Reivers
Reivers
gave the English language two of its most ominous words:
Blackmail
- rent paid to
Reivers for "protection", as opposed to the legitimate rent, or
greenmail…and BEREAVED or "be-reived"
The
land of the Reivers.
A
100 mile swath of wild country that spans from the Irish Sea to the West to the
North Sea in the East was for over 350 years up to the end of the 16th
century a hostile barren land called the debatable lands.
What
is now Northumberland, Cumbria, The Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway
were the forbidden lands of the Reivers. Robbery and blackmail were common
place, raiding, arson, kidnapping, murder and extortion was an accepted part of
the social system.
They
were what we would call today gangsters organised on highly professional lines,
who perfected the protection racket three centuries before Chicago was built.
They gave blackmail to the English language.
Travel
was a dangerous business. The traveller had to move cautiously by day and always
sought shelter long before the darkness of night fell and rarely found a welcome
because of the suspicion the people had for all strangers in their land.
The
area today is liberally dotted with castles, stately homes, the ruins of
historic abbeys, fortified homesteads (Bastille's), the remains of pele towers
and the atmospheric remnants of abandoned hamlets, hidden in remote valleys, far
from the main routes taken by the modern day tourist.
The
turbulent history is etched into the structure of what remains, the Reiver
graveyards all bear testament to the turbulent history, to the brutal activities
of the warring families and the indiscriminate pillaging, plundering and
merciless cruelty that drove fear into the heart and souls of ordinary border
folk.
This
lawless state was allowed to flourish unchecked for 350 years. Seven generations
for vendettas to be passed on from Great grandfathers to the children of the
wicked and the damned.
Hidden
lairs were places of sanctuary, places to hide when be pursued by other warring
factions, hidden valleys were 1000 head of cattle could be hidden unnoticed,
spirited away from the unsuspecting landowners.
Shopping
Carlisle is a shopper's paradise where well known national chains
rub shoulders with the very best of home grown talent.
The award winning "Lanes"
is a modern shopping centre, sited on the medieval lanes that once crossed the
heart of the city.
The
Lanes has over 50 shops, and it's growing all the time as key names vie for
space. Littlewoods and Debenhams join GAP, H&M, Dixons, Millies Cookies and
such other high street favourites as Bhs, Virgin, Laura Ashley, Dorothy Perkins,
JJB, Earnest Jones and other high street shops offering a fantastic selection of
fashion and gifts for all.
Debenhams
new Cafe Venue offers wonderful views of the castle whilst recovering from a
hard day of retail therapy.
Opening
Times Mon-Sat 9.00am-5.00pm
Sun
11.00 noon - 4.00pm
600
spaces of free parking on Sundays
Why
not visit the web site and judge for yourself www.thelanescarlisle.com
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Hadrian's
Wall, The Debatable Lands, The Reivers, Border Castles, The Lake District,
Walking, Cycling, Bird Watching, Salmon and Trout Fishing. In fact the
experience of this area is boundless.
for further information on each attraction