The Battle of the Reidswire

The Last Great Border Raid

The Scottish Borders have long been synonymous with war, rebellion, and lawlessness. For centuries, the borderlands between Scotland and England were a battleground where reivers, clans, and noble families fought over territory, cattle, and pride. By the late 16th century, however, large-scale raids were becoming rare as both the Scottish and English crowns sought to impose greater control over their frontier regions.

Yet, in 1575, one last great battle erupted between the two sides. What began as a routine meeting to resolve grievances—known as a "Day of Truce"—ended in a bloody and chaotic skirmish that became known as The Battle of the Reidswire. It was a moment of high tension, fierce loyalty, and reckless bravery, marking the last significant armed clash between the English and Scottish Borderers before the eventual Union of the Crowns in 1603.