Pacification document 31a is part of a series of transcriptions from documents written in the early 1600s…
Sometimes when you painstakingly decipher a Jacobean document, you are rewarded with a great story from it.
And other times, it turns out to be little better than a laundry list.
So it is with document 31a of the Pacification of the Borders collection on the Reivers website.
I’ve been working my way through them slowly, in no particular order to be honest. You can find more-interesting ones here and here for example.
But while 31a is a bit of a dud, story-wise, I’ve ploughed through it and will post my transcription below.
Pacification document 31a
The first part is a letter from Sir Wilfred Lawson (head of the English border commissioners) to Sir William Cranstoun, Captain of King James’ Horse Garrison and deputy-lieutenant for the Borders.
Lawson seems impatient for news: there has been an escape of prisoners from Carlisle Castle, AND some of the border Grahams are hiding out in Scotland to evade the King’s ‘justice’.
Or rather, living in Scotland, but not hiding. For the letter says they are:
‘going about openly at Edinburgh and elsewhere’.
Which must have been galling to those who wanted them in jail and/or deported to the Low Countries.
The break-out from Carlisle Castle is interesting. I’ve found references to one in October 1605, when five ‘notable offenders’ escaped.
But the letter was written two months before that.
I also found references to that being the third break-out. And a report that:
‘One night in 1605, 28 out of 33 prisoners managed to escape from the castle’.
They included at least three Grahams.
But nothing specific to tie in with Sir Wilfrid Lawson’s letter, which is dated August 14.
The second part of document 31a actually pre-dates it by a few days, as it was written on August 8.
It was sent TO Sir Wilfred Lawson, by (English) border commissioner Sir William Selby, Sir Robert Delaval, and Edward Gray (deputy warden of the English East March).
They are basically telling Sir Wilfrid that the English and Scottish commissions are distinct and they feel they have no authority to take part in a meeting of the Scottish Commissioners at Hawick.
The only lines of real interest are that:
- some English and Scottish felons were to be tried at Hawick on August 26, and;
- ‘some Riddesdale men’ were to be sent to Scotland and tried for offences committed there.
There are a few words I’m not sure of. But they don’t detract from the overall sense.
‘Oyer and terminer’ = a commission issued to judges on a circuit to hold courts.
Pacification document 31a – the transcript
Honourable Sir,
I thought before this tyme we should have heard from you and therewith all
have received some as- of those that brake his majesty’s castle here at Carlisle, as
also of these Graymes that are fugitives, and as we hear are w- and going
openly, as well in Edinburgh as in other places within the compass?of his majesty’s
commission. I nothing doubt of the performance of what ?appertains to your place
and therefore think that either the said reports may be untrue; or being true, that
shortly we shall receive of both the – (?sorts ?forth), as their apprehending and sent hither by you
Sir William Selby will be with his highness’ commissioners at Hawick (as I take it)
the 26 of this instant, whereof I think he will give you tymely notice. If the
abilities of my bodie now correspondent to my good will, I would not fail to have
been there right hardilie praying to have my hardy commendations remembered to all
my honourable friends and fellow commissioners, not forgetting the like to yourself
So for the present I leave you to the ?protection of the almightie.
Carlisle the 14th of August 1605.
Your very loveing ffriend
Wilf Lawson
the copie of Sir William Selby, Sir Ro Delavale, and Mr Graye to Sir Wilfred Lawson and Mr =ton (poss Pennington),
the 8th of August 1605.
Sir, We have conferred with Sir Willam Selby of the letter lately written by you. Sir Ro
Delavale and myself from the Scottish commissioners wherein these gave us notice that they
have a meeting at Hawick the 26 of this instant for the trial of certain felons
both Scottish and English and desire that some one or more of these would be present at their
proceedings, whereupon we have – as well the general commission at our owne
and the Scottish ins-cc, together with our agreement at our first meeting in Carlisle
and do fynd no warrant for our so doinge, ?seeming that besides the general commission
their and two others of oyer and terminer, therefore – wherein the have nothing to
do th-the or them whereinwe have as litte of -h- kind that their meetings
being we think we have no authoritie to assist them, yet for our better satisfaction we
have thought good to deliver our opinion and desire to receive yours in this po—
expedition? and so for the present we comyt you to God, – the 8th of
August 1605.
Your loving friends
William Selby, Ro Delevale, Edward Gray
We do heare it some Riddesdale men
are to be sent into Scotland for offences
commited there and to receive their
tryall now.