Hutchin Graham thought he had a ‘get out of jail free card’ in 1605. The reason shows up in Pacification document 17 and 17b.
This is another post in a series, transcribing the documents posted on the Reivers website from the Pennington Archive.
You can read the background here and a search for ‘pacification’ on the home page of this site should pull up the others done so far.
Pacification document 17 and 17b are concerned, ‘as usual,’ with the Grahams. And the efforts of King James’ commissioners to ‘pacify’ the long-turbulent border region by, basically, breaking up the clan in Cumbria and Scotland, so they could never cause trouble again.
This endeavour included forcibly deporting male Grahams to the British garrisons of Flushing and Brill (‘the cautionary towns’). They were sent there to help the Netherlands in the fight against Spain, but also to simply get them away from the borders. For King James and the commissioners, it was a ‘win-win’ idea. For the Grahams, not so much.
As well as listing the names of some of the Grahams who were being, understandably, less than eager to be deported, Pacification document 17 and 17b includes specific reference to Hutchin Graham. Who thought he had a ‘get out’.
Hutchin Graham and the free pardon
While it was the Grahams who really suffered under the pacification of the borders, there were some efforts to deal with some of the other reiver clans as well. The Armstrongs being one of them.
One apparently notorious member of the Armstrong clan was known as Sanders Ringell Armstrong.
King James was so relieved when Armstrong was caught, he issued a pardon to anyone involved in his capture – sparing their lives.
Hutchin Graham was included in the pardon. A fact he used (or tried to) to argue that it meant he should not be deported to the Netherlands.
Pacification document 17 and 17b include reference to this, and the commissioners’ efforts to clarify the situation – and reject his claim.
Pacification document 17 and 17b – my transcription
The copie of the English Commisioners’ letter to Sir William Cranston. 29th of June 1605.
Sir for as much as the commission of his majesty’s service requireth the same, these are to will
you, with the horsemen in his majesty’s pay, under your charge, to be with us at Carlisle
with the speed you conviently may and so for the present with the remembrance of
our harty comendations we bydd your fairwell, Carlisle the 29th of June 1605
Your ?lovinge friends
Robert Delavl, Wilfrid Lawson,
Joseph Pennington, Edward Gray.
The names of the principle Grahams that made default:
- Hutchin Graham, alias Young Hutchin
- Hutchin Graham of Rowcliffe
- George Graham of Burnefoote
- David Graham of Bankhead
- Alexander Graham of Kirkandrews, alias Geordie’s Sandie
- Richard Graham, son to Walter of Netherby
- William Graham of Meopp
The English commisioners’ letter to the Scottish, the 29th June, 1605
After our right hartie comendations, we send you have inclosed the true copie of his majesty’s warrant, under his signett sent and delivered unto us by Hutchin Graham, since our coming hither to Carlisle, it is directed to us all, we have answered him he should have
what in dutie and reason thereunto appertained. But he guivinge it out to be a warrant
to free him and all his clan from going over to Flushing or Brill doth not only absent
himself, but many others by his lewd example and bad persuasion from yielding to
dutie. He they and all subjects are, he saith, as we heard it concerns ?divs, now called
in question with you, therefore we send you the same informing it to your good
consideration and so we comyt you to the protection of the almighty. Carlisle this
29th of June 1605
Your verie loving friends
Robert Delavl, Wilfrid Lawson,
Joseph Pennington, Edward Gray.
The copie of his majesty’s warrant
James Rex
Trusties and wellbeloved, we greet you well. Where there is now in your charge among
other malefactors Hutchin Graham and such others as were in the field when Sanders Ringell
Armstrong was taken, to whom for that service we promissed pardon, our pleasure therefore
is that you shall according to that our promisses, spare their lives and free them from
17b
from any other trouble for their past, saving only for satisfaction to others whose goods
they have taken, so as their part in sufficient security to be of good behaviour towards
us and all our people from henceforth forward, and these our letter shall be your
sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf, Given under our signett at our mannor of
Ch— the 13th day of May in the third year of the reign of Great Brittania,
France and Ireland.
The copie of the English commissioners’ letter to the governor
of Brill, or in his absence to his deputie the 29th
of June, 1605
Right hon: whereas we his majesty’s commissioners here among others apointed for setling
these ?l- -alh- called the borders, have received direction from his highness’ most
honourable privie counsell, for sending away of 50 of the Grahams, under the charge of
a sufficient conductor and ?lieutenant to be included into the garrisons at Brill and then
the said conductor and ?lieutenant of whome, we having made choice of Thomas
Carlton, for conductor and William Lambe for ?lieutenant, and having them to be ?comended
for their suffic-, as having spent long tyme in service of the ?warres and they being
now desirous to serve his majesty, we have thought good at their desire to commend
them unto you, that if you have fitt occasion, that you would be pleased to imploye
them, not doubting but you shall find them to deserve well, and this the rather
our humble request, leaving the report of the 50 men and their several qualities
to the reporte of their conductor, we take our leaves from Carlisle, this 29 of June 1605
Their conductor hath a bill of the 50 men’s
names, under our hand, praying that
we may ?receive ?certificatt of the tyme
of their deliverie.
Your ?honours to our power?
Robert Delavl, Wilfrid Lawson,
Joseph Pennington, Edward Gray.
The copie of the English commissioners to the mayor of
Newcastle the 28 of June 1605
Mr mayor, after our hearty commendations, whereas we are ?invited by his majesy’s privie counsell
to send unto Newcastle 150 of the Grahams, 100 to be sent for Flushing and 50 to Brill
their appearance hath been so slack, that who we thought we should have sent the
whole number to have bene with you the last of this month according to inn-ion
we are constrayned for the present to send but 50 – will be with you accordingly
to be shipped and sent for Brill, under the conduction of Thomas Carleton, their
captain and Lambe their lieutenant we have not the number of the 100 for
Flusing yet ready, but we hope to have them ready to be sent unto you within these
four daies. Thus for the parte we comytt you to God. Carlisle 28 of June 1605.
Your very ?loving friends
Robert Delavl, Wilfrid Lawson,
Joseph Pennington, Edward Gray.
Footnote:
I am currently researching a new book on the Grahams of the border. Watch this space!